HOW MUCH DOES IT COST
TO SEND A PARCEL?

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO SEND A PARCEL?

The delivery cost of sending your parcel will depend on three elements; the parcel type (size and weight) the delivery service (UK or International) and any added extras (contents cover or timed delivery slots).

There are many varied factors to take into consideration when you're trying to work out how much it is to send a parcel. Not only does the courier company you choose have an impact on delivery cost, but the type of parcel you're sending and how you want your parcel delivered can make your delivery cost either more or less expensive.

Here's a quick guide to how much it is to send a parcel and the different factors that will affect your parcel delivery cost.

PARCEL TYPE

Wondering how much it costs to post a parcel? The key thing to bear in mind is that both the size and weight of the parcel will affect the delivery cost. The bigger or heavier the parcel, the more it will cost to send. However, you can cut back on your parcel delivery cost by sending more than one parcel at once, as many couriers will offer to discount the delivery cost if you're sending multiple parcels.

Dropping off the parcel at the courier's depot or the post office, or having the recipient collect it upon delivery can also save you money, depending on the courier company.

DELIVERY SERVICE

Naturally, next-day delivery costs more than standard delivery so remember that if you want something delivered in a hurry, it will cost you more. Some companies offer different types of next-day delivery; for example, most couriers will aim to deliver a parcel by 1pm but some offer to get the parcel delivered by 9am. The earlier you want your parcel delivered, the more expensive the delivery cost.

Some services even pick up the parcel from your doorstep. While this courier service costs more, it can be extremely convenient if you don't have time to go down to the post office or depot. If you want your parcel tracked, that can often cost extra too, but that depends on the company and delivery type.

International parcel delivery costs more too and can differ from country to country. Remember that you may have to pay extra tax or duty charges when sending parcels abroad too.

CONTENTS COVER

Most packages are insured up to a certain amount as part of the courier service. This means that if your parcel is damaged or lost, the company will offer to cover part of the cost. If you're sending something very valuable, you'll probably want to purchase additional content cover, so remember to take those extra parcel charges into account.

However, very delicate items, such as china or glass-based pieces, will only be delivered via an economy service - which typically won't include any compensation. This is because there's a considerable risk of the item breaking, so if you want it covered, you'll probably have to go with a special service.

It can be very handy to have a rough estimate of how much a parcel is going to cost, especially if you don't have time to go down to the post office to get an official estimate. This can be particularly useful if you're selling something on a site such as eBay, as you'll need to note how much customers will have to pay for postage and you don't want to underestimate, otherwise you'll lose money. To get the best price for content cover, remember to shop around and only pay for extra services if you really need them.