1st class vs 2nd class royal mail

A question that gets to the heart of British postal history!

In the United Kingdom, Royal Mail has traditionally offered two main classes of mail service: First Class and Second Class. While both classes are still available today, there are some key differences between them.

First Class Mail

First Class Mail is a faster and more reliable service than Second Class Mail. Here are some key features:

• Faster delivery: First Class Mail is typically delivered within 1-2 working days, Monday to Saturday.
• Priority handling: First Class Mail is given priority handling at Royal Mail sorting offices, which means it's more likely to be delivered quickly and efficiently.
• Tracking: First Class Mail items can be tracked online, which provides an added layer of security and peace of mind.
• Signature on delivery: First Class Mail items can be sent with a signature on delivery, which ensures that the item is received by the intended recipient.

Second Class Mail

Second Class Mail is a more affordable option that's still reliable, but not as fast as First Class Mail. Here are some key features:

• Slower delivery: Second Class Mail is typically delivered within 3-5 working days, Monday to Saturday.
• Lower priority: Second Class Mail is given lower priority handling at Royal Mail sorting offices, which means it may take longer to be delivered.
• No tracking: Second Class Mail items are not tracked online, which means there's no way to track the item's progress.
• No signature on delivery: Second Class Mail items cannot be sent with a signature on delivery.

When to use each

Here are some general guidelines on when to use each service:

• Use First Class Mail for:
  • Urgent or time-sensitive items
  • Items that require a signature on delivery
  • Items that need to be tracked
• Use Second Class Mail for:
  • Non-urgent items
  • Items that don't require a signature on delivery
  • Items that are not time-sensitive

It's worth noting that Royal Mail has introduced some additional services, such as Special Delivery and Signed For, which offer even more features and benefits. However, First Class and Second Class Mail remain the two main classes of mail service offered by Royal Mail.