Postage rates and sending mail

Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worldwide may change postal prices, services and surcharges during the year. A franking machine must contain the current tariff before you print postage. Quadient will provide update instructions for supported machines when action is required. 

Royal Mail franking prices changed on 7 April 2026. Other charges and international requirements have changed since that date, so always use the current Royal Mail price guides rather than relying on a saved copy. 

Install the update when Quadient confirms that it is available. Updates may be released before the effective date and activate automatically on the change date. Keep the machine connected and complete any required server call. 

The machine may print the wrong amount, which can lead to overpayment, underpayment, correction charges or delays. Royal Mail requires customers to use the correct tariff and present mail under the applicable service conditions. 

Tariff-update coverage depends on your Quadient service agreement. Check MyQuadient, your contract or the notification issued for the change. 

1. Check Network Connection: Ensure that your machine can reach its network connection before running the update.

2. Run a Generic Call: On the IN300 / IN360 machine, press Menu, select Online Services, then Generic Call. This checks for and installs the latest rates.

3. Re-run the Update: If the rate update does not download, try running the Generic Call again.

4. Contact Technical Support: If the issue persists, contact Quadient's technical support team for assistance. By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the tariff download failure and ensure your machine is up-to-date with the latest postal rates.

Complete the required connection or generic call, then review the tariff version or test the current services after the effective date. Follow the instructions for your machine model. 

Use Royal Mail's current postage price guides. Mailmark franking generally costs less than stamps, but the exact saving depends on the format, class, service and current tariff. 

Business Mail Advanced is a Royal Mail service for eligible high-volume letter postings. Franking customers must use a Mailmark-enabled machine. The service is generally intended for postings of at least 250 eligible 1st or 2nd Class letters in one transaction and remains subject to Royal Mail format, preparation and presentation requirements. 

Separate mail by destination, product and class, then place it in the correct pouch, tray or posting envelope where required. Follow Royal Mail's current franked-mail preparation and posting guide. 

Royal Mail allows franked mail to be posted up to seven days after the day the meter impression was printed. Use the correct collection or acceptance route and keep different services separated. 

Use an approved Royal Mail posting box, Post Office branch or business collection route suitable for the service and volume. Some products require specific presentation or documentation. 

Order the current approved supplies through the Quadient eShop or Royal Mail route shown in your machine guide. Confirm the envelope type required for the service before ordering. 

Order current service labels and dispatch documentation through Royal Mail or the approved supplies route. Older coloured labels may no longer be accepted for barcoded services. 

Follow Royal Mail's correction guidance and the manual amount process for your machine. Place the additional impression or label where instructed and avoid covering the original postage or address. 

Royal Mail may refund eligible franked impressions that were printed but not used. Keep the original envelopes or labels and follow Royal Mail's current refund procedure and time limits. 

Available options include Royal Mail Click & Drop, Parcelforce Worldwide, a Post Office branch and supported Quadient or partner shipping applications. The best route depends on parcel size, service level, customs requirements and whether you have a business account. 

Yes. Goods and gifts sent outside the UK require accurate customs information and electronic pre-advice. Royal Mail or the selected shipping system will generate the customs documents required for the destination and servi

Personal correspondence generally does not require a customs declaration. This can include letters, postcards, braille letters and individual invoices or statements. Brochures and catalogues may qualify only when they meet Royal Mail's personal-correspondence conditions and are not part of a sale of goods. 

Royal Mail generally uses CN22 for goods valued up to £270 and CN23 for goods valued above £270. Some destinations and services require CN23 regardless of value. Use the document generated by Click & Drop, Parcelforce or the approved shipping system. 

Attach the completed customs document to the outside of the package in the position instructed, keeping the barcode and declaration visible. Include all required electronic customs data before the item enters the network. 

Yes. Goods and gifts sent to Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Herm or Sark require the appropriate customs information and documentation. 

Royal Mail introduced new customs-duty requirements for goods and for gifts valued above €45, together with handling charges that may apply. The amount and who pays it depend on the destination, declared contents and delivery terms. Check the current Royal Mail or Parcelforce guidance when buying the service.  Customs rules and handling charges can change quickly. Use the shipping platform guidance generated for each transaction rather than relying on a saved checklist.