Does royal mail postage have vat

In the United Kingdom, Royal Mail, the national postal service, is required to charge Value-Added Tax (VAT) on its services, including postage.

The VAT rate applicable to Royal Mail postage depends on the type of service and the weight and size of the item being sent. Here are the current VAT rates for Royal Mail services:

• Standard postage (up to 100g): 20% VAT (4.8p per item)
• Standard postage (over 100g): 20% VAT (4.8p per 100g)
• Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm: 20% VAT (5.6p per item)
• Special Delivery Guaranteed by 9am: 20% VAT (7.2p per item)
• International Tracked & Signed: 20% VAT (5.6p per item)

It's worth noting that VAT is not charged on postage for items that are exempt from VAT, such as:

• Items sent to non-EU countries (although customs duties may still apply)
• Items sent to EU countries that are not subject to VAT (e.g., some EU countries have a zero-rated VAT rate)
• Items sent to charities or non-profit organizations
• Items sent for business purposes, where the recipient is registered for VAT and the item is not subject to VAT

If you're unsure about the VAT rate applicable to your Royal Mail postage, you can contact Royal Mail directly or consult their website for more information.