✓ Royal Mail Authorised Inspector since 2008 | Trading since 2005
Royal Mail is increasing First Class stamp prices for parcels from 5 October 2026.
First Class letter and large letter stamp prices are not changing, and Mailmark franking prices are not changing on any format.
The 7 April 2026 prices apply right up to 5 October 2026.
The part that matters if you send parcels
Today, franking a First Class parcel costs exactly the same as a stamp. A small parcel is £5.45 either way, so there is no saving in franking it.
From 5 October the stamp price rises and the franked price holds. Franking a First Class parcel starts saving 45p to £1.45 each, up to 8.6%. That is a reason to frank parcels that did not exist before this announcement.
Are First Class stamp prices going up in October 2026?
First Class letter stamps are not going up. A First Class letter stays at £1.80, and large letter prices are unchanged at £3.30 to £3.60. Only First Class parcel stamp prices rise on 5 October 2026, along with Royal Mail Tracked, Special Delivery Guaranteed and Signed For parcels.
Going up on 5 October
- First Class Small Parcel stamps
- First Class Medium Parcel stamps
- First Class Signed For parcels
- Special Delivery Guaranteed
Staying the same
- First Class letter stamps, £1.80
- First Class large letter stamps
- Every Mailmark franking price
- The 13.33% large letter franking saving
How much are First Class parcel prices going up?
First Class parcel stamp prices rise by 45p to £1.45 per item, an increase of roughly 8 to 9%.
| First Class parcel stamps before and after 5 October 2026 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Format | Stamp before 5 Oct | Stamp from 5 Oct | Increase |
| Small Parcel 0-2kg | £5.45 | £5.90 | +45p |
| Medium Parcel 0-2kg | £8.05 | £8.70 | +65p |
| Medium Parcel 2-10kg | £10.05 | £10.90 | +85p |
| Medium Parcel 10-20kg | £15.45 | £16.90 | +£1.45 |
The Mailmark franking price for each of these parcels is unchanged. That is what creates the new saving.
First Class postage rates from 5 October 2026
| First Class postage rates from 5 October 2026 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Format | Weight | Stamps | Mailmark™ Franking | You save |
| Letter | 0-100g | £1.80 | £1.77 | 3p |
| Large Letter | 0-100g | £3.30 | £2.86 | 44p (13.33%) |
| 101-250g | £3.60 | £3.28 | 32p | |
| 251-500g | £3.60 | £3.30 | 30p | |
| 501-750g | £3.60 | £3.30 | 30p | |
| Small Parcel | 0-1kg | £5.90 | £5.45 | 45p (7.63%) |
| 1-2kg | £5.90 | £5.45 | 45p (7.63%) | |
| Medium Parcel | 0-1kg | £8.70 | £8.05 | 65p (7.47%) |
| 1-2kg | £8.70 | £8.05 | 65p (7.47%) | |
| 2-5kg | £10.90 | £10.05 | 85p (7.80%) | |
| 5-10kg | £10.90 | £10.05 | 85p (7.80%) | |
| 10-20kg | £16.90 | £15.45 | £1.45 (8.58%) | |
First Class Signed For parcel prices from 5 October 2026
Signed For adds a flat £1.60 to the parcel price, so Signed For parcel stamps rise by the same amount as the parcel itself.
| First Class Signed For parcels from 5 October 2026 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Format | Stamps | Mailmark™ Franking | You save |
| Small Parcel 0-2kg | £7.50 | £7.05 | 45p |
| Medium Parcel 0-2kg | £10.30 | £9.65 | 65p |
| Medium Parcel 2-10kg | £12.50 | £11.65 | 85p |
| Medium Parcel 10-20kg | £18.50 | £17.05 | £1.45 |
Includes compensation up to £50. All prices exempt from VAT.
What the parcel saving is worth over a year
A business sending 10 First Class small parcels a day saves 45p on every one from 5 October.
£1,125 a year
Based on 10 parcels a day across 250 working days. At 20 a day it is £2,250. Postage only, excluding the cost of the machine.
Should you frank First Class parcels?
Until 5 October there was no financial reason to: stamp and franked parcel prices were identical. From 5 October there is, on every parcel you send. Franking also gives you a professional mark on each item, the exact postage every time rather than rounding up to the nearest stamp, no queueing at the Post Office, and faster handling by Royal Mail.
Work out your own saving, compare our franking machines, or call 01543 572 776 and we will tell you honestly whether it stacks up for your volumes.
Mailcoms is a Royal Mail Authorised Independent Inspector and Maintainer of postal franking machines, serving over 40,000 customers across the UK.
Frequently asked questions
When do the new First Class prices take effect?
The new First Class prices take effect on 5 October 2026. Right up until 5 October 2026, the prices set on 7 April 2026 still apply.
Is a First Class stamp going up in October 2026?
No. A First Class letter stamp stays at £1.80 and large letter stamps are unchanged. Only First Class parcel stamps rise on 5 October 2026.
How much is a First Class stamp in 2026?
A First Class letter stamp costs £1.80, or £1.77 with Mailmark franking. That price is the same before and after 5 October 2026.
How much is a First Class small parcel from 5 October 2026?
A First Class small parcel up to 2kg is £5.90 by stamp, or £5.45 with Mailmark franking, a saving of 45p per parcel. Before 5 October 2026 both prices are £5.45.
How much is a First Class medium parcel from 5 October 2026?
A First Class medium parcel up to 2kg is £8.70 by stamp or £8.05 franked. Up to 10kg it is £10.90 by stamp or £10.05 franked, and up to 20kg £16.90 by stamp or £15.45 franked.
Are First Class franking prices changing?
No. Every Mailmark franking price is unchanged on 5 October 2026, on letters, large letters and parcels alike.
How much does franking save on First Class parcels?
From 5 October 2026 franking saves 45p on a small parcel, 65p on a medium parcel up to 2kg, 85p up to 10kg and £1.45 up to 20kg. That is between 7.5% and 8.6% of the stamp price.
How fast is First Class post?
Royal Mail aims to deliver First Class mail the next working day, including Saturdays.