Royal Mail launches automatic redeliveries across the UK

Royal Mail launches automatic redeliveries across the UK

Key points

  • From today (2 May 2023), posties will automatically redeliver parcels the next working day if the customer is not at home for the first delivery.
  • The move is designed to save customers time so they do not have to contact Royal Mail or travel to collect missed deliveries, although Customer Service Points will continue to be available for the collection of undelivered parcels and letters if required.
  • Customers continue to have the existing alternative delivery options including arranging a redelivery on a more convenient day, having items left in a safe place or with a neighbour, or requesting their parcel to be redelivered to another local address.

From today (2 May 2023), Royal Mail will automatically redeliver parcels the next working day across the UK for customers who are not at home when posties attempt to deliver the first time.

Under the new process, posties will automatically try to redeliver the next working day if the customer is not at home first time round. The recipient will receive a card after the first delivery attempt advising that the postie will return the next working day, offering alternative options if required. The free initiative is designed to save customers time and provide a more convenient experience so they do not need to travel to a Royal Mail Customer Service Point to retrieve missed mail, removing the need for any carbon emissions as a result of the journey.

Customers will continue to have the existing alternative delivery options, including arranging a redelivery for a more convenient time, having items left in a safe place or with a neighbour, or requesting their parcel is redelivered to another local address or Post Office. Alternatively, customers can still collect their parcel from their regular Customer Service Point (usually co-located with their nearest delivery office). A card will be left with details of all these options after the automatic redelivery attempt.

These options can be booked via the Royal Mail app, online or by phone. Further details can be found online at: https://www.royalmail.com/receiving-mail/redelivery.

Royal Mail has also made a number of updates to its app and website to make its services easier to use, while continuing to offer telephone and branch access for those who prefer it.

Nick Landon, Chief Commercial Officer, Royal Mail said: “Everyone knows how convenient a delivery from a Royal Mail postie is. They come to your house and have fantastic local knowledge enabling them to deliver first time, most of the time. With this change we will use that same great local knowledge to automatically attempt delivery again the next day and customers will know they are coming because we will have left a card the day before. Our trials show that by making this change the vast majority of items will be delivered without the recipient needing to do anything. No need in most instances to book a redelivery or to make a trip to collect a parcel. Just wait for your wonderful local postie to bring your parcel to you. This is the latest in a series of changes we have made to make doorstep deliveries and collections as convenient and green as possible.”

Ends

Notes to editors 

About International Distributions Services plc
International Distributions Services plc is the parent company of Royal Mail Group Limited, the leading provider of postal and delivery services in the UK and the UK’s designated universal postal service provider. Royal Mail comprises the company’s UK and international parcels and letters delivery businesses operating under the “Royal Mail” and “Parcelforce Worldwide” brands. Through the Royal Mail Core Network, the company delivers a one-price-goes-anywhere service on a range of parcels and letters products. Royal Mail has the capability to deliver to around 31 million addresses in the UK, six days a week (excluding UK public holidays). Parcelforce Worldwide operates a separate UK network which collects and delivers express parcels. International Distributions Services plc also owns General Logistics Systems (GLS) which operates one of the largest ground-based, deferred parcel delivery networks in Europe.

For further information contact:

Royal Mail press office: press.office@royalmail.com

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