Royal Mail cuts parcel hold period to 10 days, new schedule starts Oct. 25

Royal Mail confirmed that, starting Sunday, October 25, parcels placed at Post Office branches or Royal Mail Parcelshops will be available for collection for just 10 days, a reduction from one outlet 18-day period. The adjustment affects parcels ordered for delivery to these locations and those rerouted after an unsuccessful home delivery, while items held at Customer Service Points retain the full 18-day window. The move follows a postponement of the original October 18 start date.

It coincides with wider service reforms, including alternate-day delivery for standard second-class letters and a three-day delivery goal for bulk business mail such as bills and statements. First-class mail will continue six-day-a-week service, and performance targets are being lowered to 90% next-day delivery for first-class and 95% delivery within three days for second-class. Royal Mail aims to implement the new schedules across all 1,200 delivery units by year-end.