How long do royal mail keep international delivery
Royal Mail, the UK's postal service, typically keeps international parcels for a certain period before they are returned to the sender or disposed of. The exact time frame can vary depending on the specific circumstances and the type of service used. Here are some general guidelines:
- International Tracked & Signed: For international tracked and signed items, Royal Mail typically holds onto them for 31 days before returning them to the sender. This allows the recipient to claim the item or make arrangements for redelivery.
- International Standard: For international standard items, Royal Mail typically holds onto them for 12 months before returning them to the sender. However, if the item is undeliverable due to incorrect or incomplete address information, it may be returned to the sender sooner.
- International Economy: For international economy items, Royal Mail typically holds onto them for 12 months before returning them to the sender. However, if the item is undeliverable due to incorrect or incomplete address information, it may be returned to the sender sooner.
- Unclaimed items: If an item is not claimed by the recipient and is returned to Royal Mail, they will typically hold onto it for 12 months before disposing of it. If the item is still unclaimed after 12 months, it may be sold or destroyed.
It's worth noting that Royal Mail may also hold onto international parcels for longer periods if they are unable to deliver them due to issues such as:
- Incorrect or incomplete address information
- Recipient not available to sign for the item
- Item is too large or heavy for the recipient's address
- Item is held by customs or other authorities
In these cases, Royal Mail will typically hold onto the item for a longer period to allow the recipient to resolve the issue and arrange for redelivery.