Do royal mail open parcels

Royal Mail, the UK's postal service, does offer a parcel opening service, but it's not a standard service and has some limitations. Here are the details:

Royal Mail's Parcel Opening Service:

Royal Mail's Parcel Opening Service is designed for businesses and individuals who need to open parcels on behalf of the recipient. This service is available for parcels that are undeliverable, lost, or damaged, and the recipient is unable to collect them.

To use this service, you'll need to:

  1. Contact Royal Mail's Customer Service team to request the parcel opening service.
  2. Provide proof of identity and proof of ownership of the parcel.
  3. Pay a fee, which varies depending on the type of parcel and the reason for opening.

Limitations:

  1. The parcel must be undeliverable, lost, or damaged, and the recipient is unable to collect it.
  2. The parcel must be in a condition that makes it difficult or impossible to open without damaging the contents.
  3. The parcel must not contain hazardous materials, perishable items, or items that are subject to specific regulations (e.g., customs restrictions).
  4. The parcel opening service is only available for parcels that are sent via Royal Mail services (e.g., 1st Class, 2nd Class, Special Delivery).

Fees:

The fee for Royal Mail's Parcel Opening Service varies depending on the type of parcel and the reason for opening. Here are some examples:

Alternative Options:

If you're unable to use Royal Mail's Parcel Opening Service, you may want to consider alternative options, such as:

  1. Contacting the sender to request a re-delivery or refund.
  2. Using a third-party parcel opening service, such as a courier company or a specialized parcel opening service provider.
  3. Opening the parcel yourself, if you have the necessary permissions and follow any relevant regulations.

Remember to always follow proper procedures and regulations when opening parcels, and ensure you have the necessary permissions and approvals before doing so.