How long does royal mail hold packages

Royal Mail, the UK's postal service, has a standard holding period for packages that are undeliverable or require additional information. Here are some general guidelines:

  1. Standard Mail: For standard mail items, Royal Mail will hold packages for 18 working days (approximately 3-4 weeks) before returning them to the sender.
  2. Signed For Mail: For signed-for mail items, Royal Mail will hold packages for 31 working days (approximately 5-6 weeks) before returning them to the sender.
  3. Special Delivery: For Special Delivery items, Royal Mail will hold packages for 12 months (1 year) before returning them to the sender.

If you're expecting a package from Royal Mail and it's been longer than the standard holding period, you can:

  1. Track your package: Check the Royal Mail tracking website to see the latest updates on your package's status.
  2. Contact Royal Mail: Reach out to Royal Mail's customer service team to inquire about the status of your package. They may be able to provide more information or help resolve any issues.
  3. Contact the sender: If you're unable to get in touch with Royal Mail, you can try contacting the sender to see if they have any information about the package's whereabouts.

Remember to always keep your address up to date with Royal Mail to ensure that your packages are delivered correctly.