✓ Royal Mail Authorised Inspector since 2008 | Trading since 2005
Royal Mail is increasing Second Class stamp prices for parcels from 5 October 2026.
Second 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 Second Class parcel costs exactly the same as a stamp. A small parcel is £4.25 either way, so there is no saving in franking it.
From 5 October the stamp price rises and the franked price holds. Franking a Second Class parcel starts saving 35p to £1.05 each, up to 7.9%. That is a reason to frank parcels that did not exist before this announcement.
Are Second Class stamp prices going up in October 2026?
Second Class letter stamps are not going up. A Second Class letter stays at 91p, and large letter prices are unchanged at £1.55 to £2.70. Only Second 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
- Second Class Small Parcel stamps
- Second Class Medium Parcel stamps
- Second Class Signed For parcels
- Special Delivery Guaranteed
Staying the same
- Second Class letter stamps, 91p
- Second Class large letter stamps
- Every Mailmark franking price
- The 3p letter franking saving
How much are Second Class parcel prices going up?
Second Class parcel stamp prices rise by 35p to £1.05 per item, an increase of roughly 8%.
| Second Class parcel stamps before and after 5 October 2026 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Format | Stamp before 5 Oct | Stamp from 5 Oct | Increase |
| Small Parcel 0-2kg | £4.25 | £4.60 | +35p |
| Medium Parcel 0-2kg | £6.95 | £7.50 | +55p |
| Medium Parcel 2-10kg | £8.75 | £9.50 | +75p |
| Medium Parcel 10-20kg | £13.15 | £14.20 | +£1.05 |
The Mailmark franking price for each of these parcels is unchanged. That is what creates the new saving.
Second Class postage rates from 5 October 2026
| Second Class postage rates from 5 October 2026 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Format | Weight | Stamps | Mailmark™ Franking | You save |
| Letter | 0-100g | 91p | 88p | 3p |
| Large Letter | 0-100g | £1.55 | £1.52 | 3p |
| 101-250g | £1.90 | £1.81 | 9p | |
| 251-500g | £2.40 | £2.30 | 10p | |
| 501-750g | £2.70 | £2.50 | 20p | |
| Small Parcel | 0-1kg | £4.60 | £4.25 | 35p (7.61%) |
| 1-2kg | £4.60 | £4.25 | 35p (7.61%) | |
| Medium Parcel | 0-1kg | £7.50 | £6.95 | 55p (7.33%) |
| 1-2kg | £7.50 | £6.95 | 55p (7.33%) | |
| 2-5kg | £9.50 | £8.75 | 75p (7.89%) | |
| 5-10kg | £9.50 | £8.75 | 75p (7.89%) | |
| 10-20kg | £14.20 | £13.15 | £1.05 (7.39%) | |
Second 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.
| Second Class Signed For parcels from 5 October 2026 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Format | Stamps | Mailmark™ Franking | You save |
| Small Parcel 0-2kg | £6.20 | £5.85 | 35p |
| Medium Parcel 0-2kg | £9.10 | £8.55 | 55p |
| Medium Parcel 2-10kg | £11.10 | £10.35 | 75p |
| Medium Parcel 10-20kg | £15.80 | £14.75 | £1.05 |
Includes compensation up to £50. All prices exempt from VAT.
What the parcel saving is worth over a year
A business sending 10 Second Class small parcels a day saves 35p on every one from 5 October.
£875 a year
Based on 10 parcels a day across 250 working days. At 20 a day it is £1,750. Postage only, excluding the cost of the machine.
Should you frank Second 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 Second Class prices take effect?
The new Second 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 Second Class stamp going up in October 2026?
No. A Second Class letter stamp stays at 91p and large letter stamps are unchanged. Only Second Class parcel stamps rise on 5 October 2026.
How much is a Second Class stamp in 2026?
A Second Class letter stamp costs 91p, or 88p with Mailmark franking. That price is the same before and after 5 October 2026.
How much is a Second Class small parcel from 5 October 2026?
A Second Class small parcel up to 2kg is £4.60 by stamp, or £4.25 with Mailmark franking, a saving of 35p per parcel. Before 5 October 2026 both prices are £4.25.
How much is a Second Class medium parcel from 5 October 2026?
A Second Class medium parcel up to 2kg is £7.50 by stamp or £6.95 franked. Up to 10kg it is £9.50 by stamp or £8.75 franked, and up to 20kg £14.20 by stamp or £13.15 franked.
Are Second 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 Second Class parcels?
From 5 October 2026 franking saves 35p on a small parcel, 55p on a medium parcel up to 2kg, 75p up to 10kg and £1.05 up to 20kg. That is between 7.3% and 7.9% of the stamp price.
How fast is Second Class post?
Royal Mail aims to deliver Second Class mail within two to three working days, including Saturdays.