Letter Rates from 2006
Introduction
25p second class franked "letters" rate 2009-11 - 7p cheaper than stamped
The pricing structure was intended to be more reflective of the true costs of carrying an item. Postcomm, the independent regulator for postal services, called it the "biggest shake up to the postal system since the Penny Black".
Inland mail is now divided into three categories:
| Type | Maxima | Notes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Length (mm) | Width (mm) | Thickness (mm) | Weight (g) | ||
| Letters | 240 | 165 | 5 | 100 | Frequently, although not officially, referred to as "standard letters". Only one weight category. Includes most normal letters, postcards, bills and statements, some brochures and catalogues, most birthday cards with envelopes up to C5 size |
| Large Letters | 353 | 250 | 25 | 750 | Items larger than a Letter in size and/or weight. Four weight categories. Includes large letters (containing unfolded sheets of standard paper), most brochures, catalogues and company reports, some magazines, CDs and DVDs, most larger birthday cards, most magazines, with envelopes up to C4 size |
| Packets | --- | --- | --- | --- | Any items larger than a Large Letter in size and/or weight. Only general maxima apply. VHS cassettes, books, some magazines and catalogues, parts and samples, prints and posters in large or cylindrical packaging |
"Universal service" letters were not affected by the imposition of VAT on postal costs beginning from 2011.
Rates
| Date | First Class | Second Class | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 (21 Aug) |
Stamped | Franked | Stamped | Franked | The maximum weight for second class mail increased from 750g to 1kg Prices for items weighing over 1kg remained unchanged |
|
Letter 32p - 100g Large Letter 44p - 100g 65p - 250g 90p - 500g £1.31 - 750g Packet £1.00 - 100g £1.27 - 250g £1.70 - 500g £2.20 - 750g £2.70 - 1kg £4.74 - 1.25kg Each additional 250g - 85p |
Letter 30p - 100g Large Letter 41p - 100g 61p - 250g 85p - 500g £1.24 - 750g Packet 94p - 100g £1.20 - 250g £1.60 - 500g £2.07 - 750g £2.55 - 1kg £4.60 - 1.25kg Each additional 250g - 83p |
Letter 23p - 100g Large Letter 37p - 100g 55p - 250g 75p - 500g £1.09 - 750g Packet 84p - 100g £1.09 - 250g £1.39 - 500g £1.77 - 750g £2.12 - 1kg |
Letter 21p - 100g Large Letter 33p - 100g 49p - 250g 68p - 500g 98p - 750g Packet 79p - 100g £1.02 - 250g £1.31 - 500g £1.63 - 750g £1.95 - 1kg |
||
| 2007 (2 Apr) |
Stamped | Franked | Stamped | Franked | Raises for lower weight bands for packets, but a reduction in higher rates |
|
Letter 34p - 100g Large Letter 48p - 100g 70p - 250g 98p - 500g £1.42 - 750g Packet £1.09 - 100g £1.38 - 250g £1.84 - 500g £2.38 - 750g £2.92 - 1kg £4.25 - 1.25kg Each additional 250g - 75p |
Letter 32p - 100g Large Letter 44p - 100g 65p - 250g 90p - 500g £1.30 - 750g Packet £1.03 - 100g £1.31 - 250g £1.69 - 500g £2.18 - 750g £2.68 - 1kg £3.91 - 1.25kg Each additional 250g - 69p |
Letter 24p - 100g Large Letter 40p - 100g 60p - 250g 83p - 500g £1.20 - 750g Packet 92p - 100g £1.20 - 250g £1.52 - 500g £1.92 - 750g £2.30 - 1kg |
Letter 22p - 100g Large Letter 36p - 100g 53p - 250g 74p - 500g £1.09 - 750g Packet 87p - 100g £1.14 - 250g £1.39 - 500g £1.76 - 750g £2.11 - 1kg |
||
| 2008 (7 Apr) |
Stamped | Franked | Stamped | Franked | Further rationalisation of the weight bands for packets |
|
Letter 36p - 100g Large Letter 52p - 100g 78p - 250g £1.08 - 500g £1.57 - 750g Packet £1.14 - 100g £1.45 - 250g £1.94 - 500g £2.51 - 750g £3.08 - 1kg £4.30 - 1.25kg £5.00 - 1.5kg £5.70 - 1.75kg £6.40 - 2kg £8.22 - 4kg Each additional 2kg - £2.80 |
Letter 34p - 100g Large Letter 46p - 100g 69p - 250g 99p - 500g £1.44 - 750g Packet £1.06 - 100g £1.34 - 250g £1.68 - 500g £2.13 - 750g £2.61 - 1kg £3.65 - 1.25kg £4.27 - 1.5kg £4.89 - 1.75kg £5.51 - 2kg £7.39 - 4kg Each additional 2kg - £2.52 |
Letter 27p - 100g Large Letter 42p - 100g 66p - 250g 90p - 500g £1.31 - 750g Packet 95p - 100g £1.24 - 250g £1.63 - 500g £2.08 - 750g £2.49 - 1kg |
Letter 24p - 100g Large Letter 37p - 100g 56p - 250g 81p - 500g £1.17 - 750g Packet 90p - 100g £1.15 - 250g £1.41 - 500g £1.76 - 750g £2.11 - 1kg |
||
| 2009 (6 Apr) |
Stamped | Franked | Stamped | Franked | |
|
Letter 39p - 100g Large Letter 61p - 100g 90p - 250g £1.24 - 500g £1.77 - 750g Packet £1.28 - 100g £1.62 - 250g £2.14 - 500g £2.65 - 750g £3.25 - 1kg £4.45 - 1.25kg £5.15 - 1.5kg £5.85 - 1.75kg £6.55 - 2kg £8.22 - 4kg Each additional 2kg - £2.80 |
Letter 36p - 100g Large Letter 50p - 100g 72p - 250g £1.04 - 500g £1.51 - 750g Packet £1.20 - 100g £1.49 - 250g £1.80 - 500g £2.23 - 750g £2.70 - 1kg £3.76 - 1.25kg £4.42 - 1.5kg £5.07 - 1.75kg £5.66 - 2kg £7.39 - 4kg Each additional 2kg - £2.52 |
Letter 30p - 100g Large Letter 47p - 100g 76p - 250g £1.04 - 500g £1.51 - 750g Packet £1.08 - 100g £1.41 - 250g £1.85 - 500g £2.24 - 750g £2.70 - 1kg |
Letter 25p - 100g Large Letter 40p - 100g 59p - 250g 85p - 500g £1.23 - 750g Packet £1.00 - 100g £1.30 - 250g £1.50 - 500g £1.82 - 750g £2.18 - 1kg |
||
| 2010 (6 Apr) |
Stamped | Franked | Stamped | Franked | Prices for franked mail remained the same |
|
Letter 41p - 100g Large Letter 66p - 100g 96p - 250g £1.32 - 500g £1.87 - 750g Packet £1.39 - 100g £1.72 - 250g £2.24 - 500g £2.75 - 750g £3.35 - 1kg £4.50 - 1.25kg £5.20 - 1.5kg £5.90 - 1.75kg £6.60 - 2kg £8.22 - 4kg Each additional 2kg - £2.80 |
Letter 36p - 100g Large Letter 50p - 100g 72p - 250g £1.04 - 500g £1.51 - 750g Packet £1.20 - 100g £1.49 - 250g £1.80 - 500g £2.23 - 750g £2.70 - 1kg £3.76 - 1.25kg £4.42 - 1.5kg £5.07 - 1.75kg £5.66 - 2kg £7.39 - 4kg Each additional 2kg - £2.52 |
Letter 32p - 100g Large Letter 51p - 100g 81p - 250g £1.11 - 500g £1.59 - 750g Packet £1.17 - 100g £1.51 - 250g £1.95 - 500g £2.36 - 750g £2.84 - 1kg |
Letter 25p - 100g Large Letter 40p - 100g 59p - 250g 85p - 500g £1.23 - 750g Packet £1.00 - 100g £1.30 - 250g £1.50 - 500g £1.82 - 750g £2.18 - 1kg |
||
| 2011 (4 Apr) |
Stamped | Franked | Stamped | Franked | |
|
Letter 46p - 100g Large Letter 75p - 100g £1.09 - 250g £1.46 - 500g £2.07 - 750g Packet £1.58 - 100g £1.96 - 250g £2.48 - 500g £3.05 - 750g £3.71 - 1kg £4.90 - 1.25kg £5.66 - 1.5kg £6.42 - 1.75kg £7.18 - 2kg £8.95 - 4kg Each additional 2kg - £3.05 |
Letter 39p - 100g Large Letter 55p - 100g 79p - 250g £1.10 - 500g £1.60 - 750g Packet £1.36 - 100g £1.69 - 250g £1.90 - 500g £2.36 - 750g £2.86 - 1kg £3.98 - 1.25kg £4.68 - 1.5kg £5.37 - 1.75kg £5.99 - 2kg £7.83 - 4kg Each additional 2kg - £2.67 |
Letter 36p - 100g Large Letter 58p - 100g 92p - 250g £1.23 - 500g £1.76 - 750g Packet £1.33 - 100g £1.72 - 250g £2.16 - 500g £2.61 - 750g £3.15 - 1kg |
Letter 28p - 100g Large Letter 44p - 100g 65p - 250g 90p - 500g £1.30 - 750g Packet £1.14 - 100g £1.48 - 250g £1.59 - 500g £1.92 - 750g £2.31 - 1kg |
||
| 2012 (30 Apr) |
Stamped | Franked | Stamped | Franked | Large increase in the price of most services to bring them in line with actual costs and prepare for privatisation |
|
Letter 60p - 100g Large Letter 90p - 100g £1.20 - 250g £1.60 - 500g £2.30 - 750g Packet £2.70 - 750g £4.30 - 1kg £5.60 - 1.25kg £6.50 - 1.5kg £7.40 - 1.75kg £8.30 - 2kg £10.30 - 4kg Each additional 2kg - £3.50 |
Letter 46p - 100g Large Letter 70p - 100g 96p - 250g £1.28 - 500g £1.80 - 750g Packet £2.50 - 750g £3.50 - 1kg £4.90 - 1.25kg £5.80 - 1.5kg £6.60 - 1.75kg £7.40 - 2kg £9.60 - 4kg Each additional 2kg - £3.30 |
Letter 50p - 100g Large Letter 69p - 100g £1.10 - 250g £1.40 - 500g £1.90 - 750g Packet £2.20 - 750g £3.50 - 1kg |
Letter 33p - 100g Large Letter 57p - 100g 80p - 250g £1.05 - 500g £1.47 - 750g Packet £2.05 - 750g £2.70 - 1kg |
||