Parcels & letters
Match the format, packed weight, tracking requirement and delivery commitment before buying postage.
Compare postal servicesRoyal Mail resources
ROYAL MAIL · ROYALMAILPARCEL
Royal Mail guides and tools
Choose a postal product, read your label and understand the next tracking step. Built for China–UK shippers and UK online sellers.
Sources reviewed
Prepare merchant dispatch.
Plan the account and order workflow, retain handover evidence and agree how returns will be received.
Compare postal services
Compare UK delivery, international post and business services by delivery aim, tracking and parcel requirements.
ExploreRoyal Mail label reader
Read supported barcodes from an image or check label text and postal references in your browser.
ExploreTracking support
Understand your tracking status and find the recommended action.
ExploreShipping articles (English)
Practical guides for China–UK shipping, UK stock, ecommerce orders and Royal Mail handover. Start with the records and decisions behind each movement.
ExploreRoyal Mail services for businesses
Royal Mail publishes products for letters, parcels, international mail, returns and business shipping. Connect the relevant product with your warehouse and order workflow.
Business shipping & software
Click & Drop, Online Business Account, Pro Shipping and carrier APIs support different account and processing needs. Agree service access, label formats, manifests and tracking integration.
Merchant dispatch workflowReturns & fulfilment
A return label covers transport. Edinburgh receiving, inspection, stock decisions, repairs and resale handling require separate instructions.
Returns & claims guidanceBusiness & advertising mail
Royal Mail also offers correspondence and advertising-mail products. Their preparation and barcode rules differ from parcel labels.
Official shipping referencesLetters and large letters
Format-based services for correspondence and flatter items. Dimensions and thickness determine the format, not the contents alone.
UK parcels and ecommerce
Consumer and account services offer different combinations of delivery aims, progress tracking, signatures and timed guarantees.
Business mail and publishing
Account mail supports customer communications such as statements, plus separate subscription and publishing services.
Advertising and marketing mail
Direct mail and door drop services support customer acquisition and marketing campaigns, with separate preparation and eligibility rules.
International export and import
Royal Mail offers outbound international services and separate import arrangements. Overseas origin, customs clearance and UK final delivery must be established for each lane.
Customer returns
UK and international returns options connect return labels, drop-off or collection and delivery reporting to the retailer returns process.
Collection and drop-off
Parcel Collect and eligible drop-off locations provide different handover methods. The posting method can affect a Special Delivery guarantee.
Shipping software, OBA and APIs
Click & Drop creates labels and connects orders. Pro Shipping and API tools support eligible business integrations. OBA manages billing and reporting.
Same-day courier services
Royal Mail Sameday provides a separate courier workflow for urgent one-off or scheduled deliveries, with satellite tracking and delivery confirmation.
Follow the whole China–UK journey
Keep the supplier reference, international shipment reference and assigned Royal Mail reference linked to the same order. A label or an airline reference alone cannot establish the UK delivery stage.
- 01Guangzhou receiving
- 02Export & CAN / HKG departure
- 03LHR arrival & UK clearance
- 04Royal Mail handover & delivery
Read a practical guide
products · 7 min
Tracked 24, Tracked 48 and Royal Mail 24/48: choose by service evidence
Compare Royal Mail Tracked 24/48 and Royal Mail 24/48 by service and account terms, then check billed weight and format corrections.
labels · 5 minReading a Royal Mail parcel label: references, barcodes and S10 limits
Separate printed products, parcel references and printing QR codes, use local barcode reading within its limits, and confirm physical handover independently.
tracking · 4 minChange Royal Mail delivery options after dispatch: a seller and recipient guide
Use eligible in-flight choices, distinguish saved App preferences from parcel requests, and connect delivery evidence with China–UK merchant support.
operations · 4 minCN23 and commercial invoices: choose the document workflow by service
Use the separate Royal Mail postal and commercial customs guides, reconcile electronic data with the goods, and keep UK export rules distinct from China–UK imports.