Royal Mail Postage Prices 2026: A UK Reseller’s Guide to Shipping Costs

Royal Mail put prices up again on 7 April 2026. A 1st class stamp is now £1.80 and 2nd class is 91p. If you’re selling items online on eBay, Vinted, or other platforms, postage is one of the biggest costs that eats into your profit — especially if you offer free delivery to stay competitive.

Here are the current Royal Mail postage prices for 2026, how they compare to Evri, and how to find the cheapest way to post a parcel in the UK.

Royal Mail stamp prices (from 7 April 2026)

Letters (up to 100g, max 24cm × 16.5cm × 0.5cm)

Letters are good for small, flat items like trading cards, patches, or thin accessories. If your item is too thick for the letter slot (over 5mm), it’s a large letter.

Large letters (up to 35.3cm × 25cm × 2.5cm)

Large letters are the sweet spot for resellers selling clothing. A t-shirt or lightweight top typically weighs 150-250g and fits in a large letter for £1.90 by 2nd class. That’s significantly cheaper than sending as a parcel.

Small parcels (up to 61cm longest side, max 2kg)

Medium parcels (larger items, up to 20kg)

All prices above are for stamped items at the Post Office counter. If you use Royal Mail Click & Drop (their online postage tool), prices are slightly different and often cheaper for parcels.

For context: in April 2024, a 1st class stamp was £1.35 and 2nd class was 85p. In April 2025, they rose to £1.70 and 87p. The April 2026 increase continues the trend — Royal Mail postage prices have gone up every year, which is why tracking your actual postage costs per item matters more than ever.

Source: Royal Mail — Prices 2026

Evri (formerly Hermes): the cheaper alternative

Many resellers use Evri for parcels because it’s significantly cheaper than Royal Mail, especially for heavier items.

Evri’s pricing is based on weight (not size tiers), and the cheapest option is ParcelShop drop-off:

• ParcelShop drop-off (Standard, 3–5 days): from £2.62 for parcels up to 1kg
• ParcelShop drop-off up to 5kg: still £2.62 (flat rate)
• Next Day delivery: roughly £0.60–£1 extra per parcel
• Courier collection: more expensive than ParcelShop (convenience premium)

That £2.62 flat rate for parcels up to 5kg is a big deal for resellers. A pair of shoes that would cost £4.25 via Royal Mail 2nd class small parcel costs £2.62 with Evri ParcelShop. That’s £1.63 saved per item — and for heavier parcels the gap is even bigger.

The trade-off: Evri is slower (3–5 working days for standard) and has a worse reputation for lost parcels. Many buyers prefer Royal Mail. It’s a judgement call between cost and buyer satisfaction.

Source: Evri — Our Prices

Royal Mail vs Evri: quick comparison for resellers

Rule of thumb: Royal Mail large letter (2nd class) for anything that fits within large letter size (under 2.5cm thick, under 750g). Evri ParcelShop for anything that needs to go as a parcel. For bulky or heavy items, consider Facebook Marketplace where most sales are local collection — zero postage cost.

Tips for keeping postage costs down

• Weigh and measure before you list. Knowing whether something fits as a large letter vs small parcel can save you £2+ per item
• Use large letter packaging. Cardboard-backed envelopes or poly mailers that fit within 2.5cm thickness keep clothing in the cheapest tier
• Charge postage instead of offering “free delivery”. On eBay, items with free delivery sometimes rank slightly higher in search, but you’re paying for it out of your margin. Many Vinted sellers charge postage directly
• Buy packaging in bulk. Poly mailers from eBay or Amazon cost 5-10p each when bought in packs of 100, vs 50p+ individually at the Post Office
• Use Royal Mail Click & Drop for online prices, which can be cheaper than buying stamps at the counter for parcels
• Consider local collection. On Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree, most sales are local pickup with zero postage cost

How postage affects your real profit

Postage is one of the hidden costs that most resellers underestimate. If you offer free delivery on a £15 eBay listing and it costs £4.25 to post as a small parcel, that’s 28% of your sale price gone before any other costs.

On lower-value items, postage can make or break the deal. A £8 item with £4.25 postage that you bought for £2 leaves you with £1.75 profit — and that’s before packaging and any platform fees.

The resellers who make consistent profit are the ones who know exactly what their postage costs per item and factor it in before deciding what to buy. If you’re not sure whether an item is worth selling after postage, use our eBay fee calculator to work out the total cost including eBay fees and postage together.

Frequently asked questions

How much is a 1st class stamp in 2026?

£1.80 from 7 April 2026 (was £1.70). For a standard letter up to 100g.

How much is a 2nd class stamp in 2026?

91p from 7 April 2026 (was 87p). Delivery in 2–3 working days.

What is the cheapest way to post a parcel in the UK?

Evri ParcelShop drop-off from £2.62 for parcels up to 5kg. For items that fit as a large letter, Royal Mail 2nd class from £1.55 is cheapest. Royal Mail small parcels start at £4.25 (2nd class).

Is Royal Mail or Evri better for resellers?

Royal Mail for items that fit as large letters (cheaper and faster). Evri for anything that needs to go as a parcel (significantly cheaper). Many resellers use both depending on the item.

How much does it cost to post a parcel in the UK?

Royal Mail 2nd class small parcel (up to 2kg): £4.25. Medium parcel (up to 2kg): £6.95. Evri ParcelShop is cheaper at £2.62 for parcels up to 5kg. Using Royal Mail Click & Drop can also get you lower rates than counter prices.

How have Royal Mail stamp prices changed?

1st class: £1.35 (Apr 2024) → £1.70 (Apr 2025) → £1.80 (Apr 2026). 2nd class: 85p → 87p → 91p. Prices have risen every April for several years, which is why many resellers are switching to Evri for parcels.

Does Vinted cover shipping costs?

On Vinted, the buyer pays shipping. Vinted generates a prepaid label for the seller. You don’t pay postage directly, but the shipping cost affects what the buyer pays total — so choosing the right parcel size still matters for your sale price. See our Vinted fees guide for details.