How long do royal mail hold items
Royal Mail, the UK's postal service, has specific guidelines for holding items at their facilities. The length of time they hold items can vary depending on the type of item, the service used, and the circumstances. Here are some general guidelines:
- Unclaimed items: If an item is not collected or signed for within a reasonable time, Royal Mail may hold it for a period of 18 months. After this time, they may dispose of the item or return it to the sender.
- Special Delivery items: For items sent via Special Delivery, Royal Mail will hold them for 1 year from the date of posting. If the item is not collected or signed for within this time, it will be returned to the sender.
- Signed For items: For items sent via Signed For services (e.g., Signed For, Tracked, and Tracked 24), Royal Mail will hold them for 3 months from the date of posting. If the item is not collected or signed for within this time, it will be returned to the sender.
- Parcels with no signature required: For items sent via services that do not require a signature (e.g., Standard Parcels), Royal Mail will hold them for 3 months from the date of posting. If the item is not collected or signed for within this time, it will be returned to the sender.
- Items held due to customs issues: If an item is held due to customs issues (e.g., duty or taxes owed), Royal Mail will hold it until the issue is resolved. This can take several weeks or even months, depending on the complexity of the issue.
It's essential to note that these timeframes are subject to change, and Royal Mail may hold items for longer periods in certain circumstances. If you're concerned about an item being held, you can contact Royal Mail's customer service team to inquire about the status of your item.