How long will royal mail hold a parcel
Royal Mail, the UK's postal service, has a standard holding period for parcels that are undelivered or cannot be delivered due to various reasons. Here are some general guidelines:
- Standard parcels: Royal Mail will hold a standard parcel for up to 18 working days (approximately 3 weeks) before returning it to the sender. This applies to parcels that are undelivered due to incorrect or incomplete addresses, or if the recipient is not available to sign for the parcel.
- Special Delivery: For Special Delivery parcels, Royal Mail will hold the parcel for up to 31 working days (approximately 5 weeks) before returning it to the sender. This service provides a signature upon delivery and compensation up to £500 if the parcel is lost or damaged.
- International parcels: For international parcels, Royal Mail will hold the parcel for up to 31 working days (approximately 5 weeks) before returning it to the sender. This applies to parcels that are undelivered due to incorrect or incomplete addresses, or if the recipient is not available to sign for the parcel.
- Parcels with a specific delivery date: If you have requested a specific delivery date, Royal Mail will hold the parcel until that date. If the parcel is not delivered on the specified date, it will be returned to the sender.
It's important to note that these holding periods may vary depending on the specific circumstances of your parcel and the services you have chosen. If you're concerned about the status of your parcel, you can contact Royal Mail's customer service team to track your parcel and get an update on its status.
Remember to always check the tracking information and contact the sender or Royal Mail if you have any concerns about your parcel's delivery or holding period.