Strictly speaking there are no tariff changes, ie no prices have changed, but some services have changed including the elimination of 'International Signed". Only International Tracked and Signed and International Tracked remain.
Summary
International Tracked and Signed is now for Documents only, and only up to 750g (ie no parcel rates).
International Tracked is for Goods, including gifts, and Documents may be sent but a Customs Declaration must be completed. There is no (basic) letter rate; the cheapest option is for 100g Large Letters.
Printed Papers have been moved to a new section and include rates for International Tracked, International Standard (basic airmail) for which there is also no basic latter rate (minimum price for 250g is £8.95 to Europe), and ( listed in that order) International Tracked and Signed (again, no letter rates so minimum price £14.25) but including weight options for 1kg to 5kg.
I'm working from a pdf rather than hard copy, which makes comparison difficult, but I could almost believe there are copy & paste errors in this. Why no Small Parcel rates for ITS unless they are printed papers? Why no Large Letter rates for printed papers under 250g?
I'll leave this for readers to pursue safe in the knowledge that only the dealers and collector-sellers will be affected!
So 'International Signed' has gone leaving only 'International Signed and Tracked' and 'International Tracked'.
ReplyDeleteI doubt if we'll still have UK Signed by the end of the year, Tracked having gradually replaced it.
The use of postage stamps will diminish yet further if, as I think, they can't be used for Tracked items.
Another recent loss is the Courier magazine which had started as a newspaper, with regional editions, in 1966.
Like many others I have many NVI stamps received from the Swap Out scheme and try to use them on parcels where possible. Last week I wished to send a small parcel Tracked but it had two 1st Class and one 2nd Class stamps already applied and I politely told that pre-stamped mail cannot be sent Tracked. which confirms Mudgies comments.
DeleteYes, we covered that nearly 2 years ago; although there was some initial confusion it soon became evident that stamps could not be used.
Deletehttps://blog.norphil.co.uk/2024/03/royal-mail-tracked-new-service-coming.html
The Tracked services - 24 and 48 hours - also offer up to £75 compensation whereas UK Signed and Standard only offer £20. Plus, when I buy the postage on line, I can make a signifcant saving on the over the counter price. But you can't use stamps to pay for these services...
ReplyDeleteThank you, no more discussion here on Tracked 24/48; we discussed the new services in 2024 (see link above) so any further comment - if new information - can be added there.
ReplyDelete