International ... letter or packet?

Kayalana99

Hiya,

It seems thier is no set out rules on what a letter or a packet is via airmail.

I need to send something that is 6mm thick so in the UK it goes via large letter as it needs to me 5mm for it to be classed as a letter...its not very big and fits in a normal letter size.

http://www.royalmail.com/sites/default/files/RoyalMail_OurPrices_April2013.pdf

This link doesn't indicate the thickness of a letter...after some googling I am coming up blank, some people seem to think a letter can only contain paper and anything else is a small packet...anyone know?

justapoorboy

Over 100g there's no difference
See http://www.royalmail.com/sites/default/files/RoyalMail_OurPrices_April2013.pdf

Kayalana99

Its gonna be less then 10g unfortunatly

justapoorboy

As you say there are no size restrictions on International (apart from upper limit) as yet though
*Warning* It will come as it did in the States *Warning*
Yet another pain to look forward to.

Kayalana99

If their is actually no restrictions on letters/packets though then you could send anything as a letter not a packet. Their must be some guide line that makes a packet different from a letter.

The only thing I can think of is that with letters, you dont have to fill in a customs form..but with me sending an item into New zeland without a customs form would that be illegal? So would that make it a packet in itself?

soolin

My mail office don't care but think A letter must contain some written correspondence as well as goods. I send a lot overseas and everything under 100g goes as a letter. However, I still put a customs label on front for non EU and declare 'letter and xxxx goods'. I then make sure I out one of my compliment slips in just in case packet is x rayed and they expect to see some paperwork.

Never had a problem yet

RFW

soolin wrote: »

My mail office don't care but think A letter must contain some written correspondence as well as goods. I send a lot overseas and everything under 100g goes as a letter.

I do the same, I have noticed that some items sent as letters seem to arrive quicker than small packets. I always put a receipt in, so that's technically a letter right?

soolin

RFW wrote: »

I do the same, I have noticed that some items sent as letters seem to arrive quicker than small packets. I always put a receipt in, so that's technically a letter right?

Well, my compliment slip works as a letter

Kayalana99

Thanks for all your response guys :-)

Tbh I was a tad annoyed they didn't have it clearer set out so I sent in a 'complaint' just incase anyone else searchs this I will post the reply.

--

Thank you for your further contact with Royal Mail.

I understand that you would like to know the difference between our Letters, Small Parcels and Printed Papers international services. I will therefore do my best to elaborate on this for you.

To begin with, our Letters service (which includes postcards) is for sending letters, i.e. correspondence. Our Small Parcels service is for sending gifts, goods or commercial samples and our Printed Papers service is for sending books, pamphlets and magazines.

Unlike domestic pricing which has had Pricing in Proportion (PIP) applied, international postage is not strictly priced by format. Historically it has been priced by the weight and contents of the mail piece, rather than by its size or dimensions.

Tariff changes in April 2012 sought to simplify pricing for international mail, whilst reflecting the cost of handling different types of international traffic, particularly parcels. However, like you, a number of our customers have queried the prices for international items weighing less than 100g. For example, Postcards & Letters prices currently start at 88p for Europe and £1.28 for World Zones 1 & 2 for up to 20g, where as Small Parcels and Printed Papers prices currently start at £3.00 for Europe and £3.50 for World Zones 1 & 2 for up to 100g.

As you are aware, our leaflets imply that Small Parcels and Printed Papers pricing starts at 100g. The reason for this is because items weighing less than 100g that are either Small Parcels or Printed Papers should be treated as if they weighed 100g. If you wish to post an item weighing less than 100g via the cheaper Letters service, it must contain correspondence to qualify for this service. If the item does not contain correspondence, it cannot be sent via the Letters service and must therefore be sent via the Small Parcels or Printed Papers service instead, whichever is applicable.

Finally, please note that all parcels are subject to customs declarations where applicable, even if they are sent via the Letters service. For further information about this and our international services, please visit our website at: https://www.royalmail.com/personal/international-delivery

I hope you have found this information useful and that this explanation resolves your enquiry and concludes this matter for you. If there is anything else we can help you with though, please let us know.

Regards

Kayalana99

I love how he worded it you have to declare customs for parcels even if they are used through letter service.. lol

ballisticbrian

The clarification letter to Post Offices said hat if the PO worker was in doubt, they could ask you "is it in fact a letter?" and if the answer is "yes", it is a letter.

In other words, and bearing in mind it's only cheaper under 100g, if you say it is a letter, it's a letter.

My "letter", is printed, but it's a personal message that does not fit the dictionary definition of a compliments slip or receipt, or any other document. Maybe I should sell them on eBay???