Delivery Options - UK

Before you can list your item for sale, you need to work out a fair amount to charge your buyer for postage. You can do this whether your buyer is in the UK or abroad.

Remember, if your package weighs less than 2kg, you'll need Royal Mail. For packages heavier than 2kg, you can use Parcelforce Worldwide.

Royal Mail First Class

First Class aims to deliver your package on the next working day. The cost varies based on the weight of your package.

Royal Mail First Class Recorded (Signed For)

This service gives you proof of posting and a signature on delivery. Confirmation of delivery is given through Royal Mail Track & Trace

Royal Mail Special Delivery 9am

Guaranteed delivery to 99% of the UK by 9am the following day – or your money back. The price includes up to £50 compensation in case of loss or damage. Available for items up to 10kg, with tracking provided by Royal Mail Track & Trace.

Royal Mail Special Delivery Next Day

Guaranteed delivery to 99% of the UK by 1pm the following day – or your money back. The price includes up to £500 compensation in case of loss or damage. Available for items up to 10kg, with tracking provided by Royal Mail Track & Trace.

Parcelforce 24

Guaranteed* delivery to most of the UK by the next working day, or two working days for outlying UK destinations. Real-time tracking and electronic signature on delivery, compensation up to £150 in case of loss or damage, plus enhanced compensation up to £2,500 available for an extra fee.

Parcelforce 48

Guaranteed* delivery to most of the UK in two working days, or three working days for outlying UK destinations. Real-time tracking and electronic signature on delivery, compensation up to £150 in case of loss or damage, plus enhanced compensation up to £2,500 available for an extra fee.

Royal Mail Standard Parcels

Aims to deliver your items in three to five working days. Compensation cover up to £500 is available for a small extra fee.

Delivery options - international

Royal Mail Airmail (Small Packets)

Aims to deliver to European destinations in three working days, and worldwide in five working days. You can send items weighing up to 2kg, with a custom declaration form attached where necessary.

Royal Mail Airsure Small Packets

Fast, secure and reliable, Royal Mail Airsure Small packets gives your item priority handling both at home and overseas. It's fully trackable with Track & Trace, with £500 compensation in case of loss or damage available for a small extra fee. You can send items weighing up to 2kg.

International Datapost (Parcelforce Worldwide)

Guaranteed* delivery to 225 countries and territories worldwide, with delivery by 5:30pm to many destinations. You'll get online tracking and free online confirmation of delivery for major destinations, proof of delivery for an extra fee, flexible and free collections available online, and no weight limits for multi-item consignments to a single address.

Global Priority (Parcelforce Worldwide)

For a worldwide day-certain service, Global Priority guarantees delivery from just three days, depending on destination. This service offers guaranteed* delivery, online and immediate tracking, free online confirmation of delivery for major destinations, proof of delivery for major destinations for an extra fee, and flexible and free collections available online.

For full details about postage services, please see the Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worldwide websites.

*Guaranteed definition: proportionate refunds of carriage cost in the event of a late delivery in accordance with Parcelforce Worldwide's general terms and conditions.

You don't need to buy your postage at this stage. Simply use the Royal Mail Postage Calculator or Parcelforce Worldwide's special Paypal rate page to work out the cost you need to add to your eBay listing.

Once you sell your item, you can log into PayPal to buy and print your postage from your PC.

For guidelines on the weight, shape and type of item you can send by post, read the Royal Mail information and Parcelforce Worldwide
information below.