How long do the royal mail hold parcels for
Royal Mail, the UK's postal service, has a standard holding period for parcels that are undelivered or uncollected. Here are the general guidelines:
- Standard Parcels: Royal Mail holds standard parcels for 18 working days (approximately 3 weeks) before returning them to the sender. This applies to parcels that are undelivered or uncollected due to an incorrect address, absence of the recipient, or other reasons.
- Special Delivery: For Special Delivery items, Royal Mail holds them for 12 months (1 year) before returning them to the sender. This is because Special Delivery items are tracked and require a signature upon delivery.
- International Parcels: For international parcels, Royal Mail typically holds them for 31 days (approximately 4 weeks) before returning them to the sender. However, this period may vary depending on the destination country and the type of service used.
- Parcels with a specific holding period: Some Royal Mail services, such as Signed For and Tracked 24, have a specific holding period. For example, Signed For items are held for 14 days, while Tracked 24 items are held for 10 days.
It's essential to note that these holding periods may be extended or shortened depending on the specific circumstances of the parcel. If you're concerned about a parcel that's been held for an extended period, you can contact Royal Mail's customer service department for assistance.
Remember to always check the tracking information and contact the sender or Royal Mail if you're unable to collect your parcel within the holding period.