How to Send a Parcel Cheaply in the UK — 2026 Guide

Updated May 2026 · 10 min read

Sending a parcel in the UK should not cost a fortune. Whether you are shipping a birthday present, returning an online purchase, or sending eBay sales, there are ways to cut your postage costs by 30-60%. This guide covers every legitimate trick to send parcels for less in 2026.

The Cheapest Couriers in the UK Right Now

Here are the cheapest options for a standard domestic parcel in 2026, sorted by price:

7 Ways to Send Parcels for Less

1. Use a Parcel Comparison Site

This is the single biggest money-saver. Sites like Parcelfire negotiate bulk discounts with every major UK courier and pass the savings to you. The same Evri service that costs £3.49 on their website costs £2.24 through a broker. You are getting the identical service — same courier, same speed, same tracking — just at a lower price.

2. Drop Off Instead of Collection

Home collection typically costs £1-3 more than dropping off at a ParcelShop. Evri has 7,000+ drop-off locations across the UK, including most newsagents, convenience stores, and supermarkets. DPD has shops in most town centres. The extra 5-minute walk saves real money, especially if you send parcels regularly.

3. Keep Your Parcel Small

Courier prices increase at specific size thresholds. A parcel that is 61cm long costs significantly more than one at 60cm because it crosses into the next size band. Always use the smallest box or mailer that fits your item. Cut down oversized boxes rather than using them as-is. Every centimetre matters.

4. Use Large Letter Format When Possible

If your item is flat and under 2.5cm thick, under 35.3cm long, under 25cm wide, and under 100g, it qualifies as a Large Letter. Royal Mail charges just £1.29 for 2nd Class. This works for books, phone cases, small clothing items like scarves, greeting cards, and jewellery. It is dramatically cheaper than sending the same item as a small parcel.

5. Batch Your Shipments

If you send multiple parcels regularly, batch them. Book all your labels at once, package everything in one session, and drop them all off in one trip. Some couriers offer additional discounts for multi-parcel bookings.

6. Reuse Packaging

Save boxes from your own online deliveries. Amazon boxes are perfect for reuse. Just remove or cover the old label and any barcodes. Reusing packaging saves £0.50-2.00 per parcel compared to buying new boxes. For clothing, grey poly mailers cost about 5p each when bought in bulk.

7. Choose the Right Courier for Each Parcel

Do not use the same courier every time out of habit. Evri is cheapest for light parcels under 2kg. Yodel is competitive for 2-10kg. Royal Mail is best for letters and very small items. DPD is worth the extra cost for valuable or fragile items because of their better handling and photo proof of delivery. Compare every time.

Cheapest Options by Parcel Weight

Step-by-Step: Sending a Parcel for the Cheapest Price

1. Package your item. Use the smallest box or mailer that fits. Add padding for fragile items. Seal securely with packing tape.
2. Weigh the parcel. Use kitchen scales. Round up to the next 100g to be safe.
3. Measure the parcel. Measure length, width, and height in centimetres. Round up to the nearest cm.
4. Go to Parcelfire. Enter your postcode, the recipient’s postcode, and the parcel dimensions.
5. Compare prices. You will see live quotes from 20+ couriers. Choose the cheapest that meets your needs (tracked, speed, etc).
6. Book and pay online. Enter the sender and recipient details. Pay by card.
7. Print the label. Print on A4 paper or a label printer. Cut and tape to the parcel.
8. Drop off or wait for collection. Take the parcel to the nearest drop-off point, or wait for the courier if you booked collection.

Common Mistakes That Cost Money

• Going straight to the Post Office: Counter prices are the most expensive way to send a parcel. Always compare online first.
• Using oversized packaging: A parcel in a box that is too big will cost more and the item is more likely to move around and get damaged.
• Not comparing every time: Courier prices change frequently. The cheapest option last month might not be cheapest today.
• Forgetting volumetric weight: Couriers charge by actual weight OR volumetric weight, whichever is greater. A large light box costs more than you might expect.
• Skipping tracking: Saving 50p by going untracked is false economy. If the parcel goes missing, you have zero proof it was sent.

Sending Parcels Cheaply Abroad

International shipping is more expensive, but you can still save significantly by comparing. The cheapest options from the UK:

• Europe: Evri International from £4.50 (5-7 days) or Royal Mail International Economy from £5.20
• USA: Evri International from £7.99 or Royal Mail International Tracked from £8.50
• Australia/NZ: Royal Mail International Tracked from £9.99
• Rest of World: Compare on Parcelfire for the best price to your specific destination

For international parcels, you need to fill in a customs declaration. Describe the contents accurately, declare the value, and state whether it is a gift or sale of goods. Parcelfire generates the customs form for you when you book.

Frequently Asked Questions