Great Britain: Royal Mail: British Philatelic Bulletin Volume 48 Number 2 (October 2010)

Postage and packing will be calculated on the weight of the item inclusive of packing materials. In addition to postage, a small charge is made for packing materials. If a number of items are purchased, the postage and packing will be based upon the actual cost of sending all the items in one package.

Purchases will normally be sent by the most cost effective method by ordinary mail at the buyer’s risk (second class mail in the United Kingdom, or air mail to Europe and the rest of the world). If registered, or insured, mail, with the items sent at the seller’s risk, is required, the buyer must bear in addition the cost of the registration, or insurance fee.

If payment is made by Skrill (formerly MoneyBookers), or PayPal, the buyer must pay the relevant fees (currently 1.9% for MoneyBookers, or 3.9% + 20p. for PayPal). 

When a sale is confirmed, the seller will send the buyer a detailed invoice providing information about the postage and packing charges. Prospective buyers are welcome to e-mail and ask for a detailed account of the shipping charges before making a purchase if they wish.

As a guide, my current postage and packing rates for: a package weighing no more than 100 grams sent by second class mail within the United Kingdom is 65p: to Europe (air mail) – up to 20 grams is £1.02, up to 40 grams is £1.43, up to 60 grams is £1.81 and up to 100 grams is £2.36: to other countries (air mail) - up to 20 grams is £1.43, up to 40 grams is £2.05 and up to 100 grams is £3.45. Please note that these rates are for ordinary mail sent at the buyer’s risk.

Purchases sent to addresses in the United Kingdom can be despatched at the seller’s risk by recorded (signed for), or special delivery mail. My current postage and packing rates for a letter weighing no more than 100 grams are £1.60 (for compensation for loss, or damage up to £60) and £6.05 (for compensation for loss, or damage up to £500).

Purchases sent to addresses outside the United Kingdom can be despatched at the seller’s risk by international priority services. The fee charged is dependent on the weight and value of the letter, or package, but will normally be somewhere between £5.00 to £7.60 (please note that from 30^th April 2012 value added tax (VAT) will be charged by Royal Mail on the fee for packages mailed to addresses in the European union) in addition to the postage and packing rates shown above.

Please note that these postage and packing rates have been calculated using the Royal Mail pricing structure effective from 30th April 2012. Purchases made and paid for in time for despatch prior to 30th April 2012 will be charged postage and packing at Royal Mail’s current rates.