How long do royal mail keep special delivery parcels for
According to Royal Mail's guidelines, Special Delivery parcels are typically held for a maximum of 18 working days (not including the day of posting) before they are returned to the sender. This is known as the "holding period".
Here's a breakdown of the holding period for Special Delivery parcels:
- For parcels sent within the UK, the holding period is 18 working days.
- For parcels sent to the Channel Islands, the holding period is 21 working days.
- For parcels sent to the Isle of Man, the holding period is 21 working days.
- For parcels sent to international destinations, the holding period varies depending on the country and its postal regulations. In general, Royal Mail will hold international Special Delivery parcels for up to 21 working days.
If the recipient is not available to collect the parcel during the holding period, Royal Mail will attempt to contact them to arrange a redelivery. If the parcel is not collected or redelivered, it will be returned to the sender.
It's worth noting that Royal Mail may extend the holding period in certain circumstances, such as during periods of high volumes or exceptional weather conditions. However, this is not guaranteed and is at the discretion of Royal Mail.
If you're concerned about the status of a Special Delivery parcel, you can track its progress using Royal Mail's online tracking service or contact their customer service team for assistance.