Royal Mail Customers Facing Additional Charges for Christmas Deliveries 2023

Royal Mail Customers Hit with Extra Fees for Christmas Deliveries

Source: Mirror

New Peak Surcharge Implemented

• Royal Mail has introduced a 5p surcharge on letters and a 10p surcharge on parcels for business account customers.
• This surcharge will be in effect until January 10, 2025, to accommodate the peak Christmas delivery period.
• Concerns arise that the additional costs may be passed down to consumers by businesses.

Reason for the Increased Charges

• The surcharge addresses increased costs associated with scaling up operations during the busy season.
• Royal Mail anticipates handling double the normal volume of parcels, necessitating an expansion in workforce and resources.
• Last year, similar surcharges were also enforced during the holiday season.

Stamp Price Increases and Changes

• As of October 2024, the price of a standard first-class stamp rose from £1.35 to £1.65.
• The large first-class stamp increased from £2.10 to £2.60.
• Second-class stamp prices remain unchanged at 85p for standard and £1.55 for larger varieties.

Impact on Customers and Alternatives

• Current stamp users are encouraged to participate in the Royal Mail "Swap Out" scheme to exchange old stamps with barcodes.
• Customers can download the necessary forms from the Royal Mail website or request assistance through customer service for ease of use.

Overall, Royal Mail's peak surcharge and stamp price increases reflect ongoing adjustments to the logistics of mail delivery during the holiday season, prompting potential changes in customer billing.