Royal Mail plans to streamline its range of parcel services for consumers, small businesses andfranking customers as part of a public proposal to come into effect on 1 April 2013.
As part of the proposal, the UK postal operator aims to reduce the current range of 15 weightbands for parcels to seven to simplify and improve the choice for customers. Initially, they willbe able to send parcels from 1-20 kg using Royal Mail’s Second Class service, with the option toreceive a signature on delivery. Currently, signature delivery is only available for First Classshipments.
“We believe the increase in the Second Class weight limit to 20kg is a very meaningful additionto customer choice. As a result of this improvement, our Standard Parcels product will bewithdrawn,” Royal Mail explained.
As part of the public consultation, Royal Mail plans to introduce two broad parcel categoriesincluding small parcels and medium parcels in a similar way it is handled by other major postaloperators, for example, in Germany, France and Italy. Parcels are priced by weight but the size ofa parcel has an impact on the cost of collecting, transporting, sorting and delivering an item.
The category ‘small parcels’ would comprise parcels weighing up to 2 kg with a size not largerthan 450mm by 350mm by 80mm in size. Medium parcels should be no larger than 610mm by 460mm by460mm with a maximum weight of 20 kg.
This means that items exceeding the stipulated medium parcels size of 610mm by 460mm by 460mmwill no longer be delivered through the Royal Mail network. Instead, customers will be able to useits express parcel subsidiary Parcelforce Worldwide offering a full range of parcels servicesthrough Post Office Ltd.
In addition, Royal Mail plans to increase its compensation arrangements with the maximumcompensation amount for loss or damage rising from £46 to £50. These are items for which asignature is collected on delivery and a proof of posting receipt is provided.
“We will continue to pay compensation for delayed items and the limit will be unchanged. Thechanges will ensure that Royal Mail provides proportionate and reasonable compensation based on theservice used and postage paid,” the company added.
