✓ Royal Mail Authorised Inspector since 2008 | Trading since 2005
Royal Mail is increasing stamp prices for parcels and for its tracked and guaranteed services from 5 October 2026.
Mailmark franking prices are not changing on any format. First and Second Class letter and large letter stamp prices are not changing either.
The 7 April 2026 prices apply right up to 5 October 2026. The prices below take effect on 5 October 2026.
What this actually means if you send parcels
Right now, franking a parcel costs exactly the same as a stamp. A First Class small parcel is £5.45 either way, so there is no saving in franking it.
From 5 October that changes. The stamp price rises and the franked price holds, so franking a parcel starts saving between 7.3% and 8.6% depending on size and weight. If you send parcels, this is a brand new reason to frank that did not exist last week.
What is changing on 5 October 2026?
Royal Mail is raising stamp and online prices on four groups of services. Nothing else in the tariff moves.
Prices going up
- Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed
- Royal Mail Tracked
- 1st and 2nd Class Parcels
- Royal Mail Signed For parcels
Prices staying the same
- All Mailmark franking prices, every format
- 1st and 2nd Class letter stamps
- 1st and 2nd Class large letter stamps
- Franking savings on letters, still up to 13.33%
Are 1st and 2nd Class stamp prices going up in October 2026?
No. Ordinary First and Second Class letter stamps are not changing on 5 October 2026. A First Class letter stays at £1.80 and a Second Class letter stays at 91p. Large letter stamp prices are unchanged too. The October increase applies to parcels and to the tracked and guaranteed services only.
How much are Royal Mail parcel stamp prices going up?
Parcel stamp prices rise by between 35p and £1.45 per item, which is an increase of roughly 8%. The table below shows the current price, the price from 5 October, and the increase.
| Parcel stamp prices before and after 5 October 2026 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service | Weight | Stamp before 5 Oct | Stamp from 5 Oct | Increase |
| 1st Class Small Parcel | 0-2kg | £5.45 | £5.90 | +45p |
| 1st Class Medium Parcel | 0-2kg | £8.05 | £8.70 | +65p |
| 1st Class Medium Parcel | 2-10kg | £10.05 | £10.90 | +85p |
| 1st Class Medium Parcel | 10-20kg | £15.45 | £16.90 | +£1.45 |
| 2nd Class Small Parcel | 0-2kg | £4.25 | £4.60 | +35p |
| 2nd Class Medium Parcel | 0-2kg | £6.95 | £7.50 | +55p |
| 2nd Class Medium Parcel | 2-10kg | £8.75 | £9.50 | +75p |
| 2nd Class Medium Parcel | 10-20kg | £13.15 | £14.20 | +£1.05 |
Mailmark franking prices for these same parcels do not change. That is what creates the new saving shown below.
How much does franking save on parcels from 5 October 2026?
Franking a parcel saves between 35p and £1.45 per item from 5 October 2026, which is a saving of 7.3% to 8.6%. Before 5 October the stamp and franked prices are identical, so there is no parcel saving at all today.
What that looks like over a year
A business sending just 10 First Class small parcels a day saves 45p on each one from 5 October.
£1,125 a year
Based on 10 parcels a day over 250 working days. At 20 a day it is £2,250. Postage only, and it does not include the cost of the machine.
First Class Royal Mail postage prices 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%) | |
Second Class Royal Mail postage prices 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%) | |
All prices are exempt from VAT. Mailmark franking prices shown are unchanged from the 7 April 2026 tariff.
Should you get a franking machine for parcels?
If you send parcels regularly, the October change makes the case considerably stronger than it was. Until now franking has been a letter and large letter saving, with parcels costing the same either way. From 5 October a franking machine saves money on every parcel you send as well.
Alongside the postage saving, franking gives you:
- A professional mark on every item, with your own logo or return address if you want one.
- No queueing at the Post Office, because you process postage from your own desk.
- The exact postage every time, so you stop rounding up to the nearest stamp.
- Faster handling by Royal Mail, because franked mail is already sorted and paid.
- Straightforward bulk sending, which matters most when volumes are high.
Use our savings calculator to work out your own numbers, compare our franking machines, or call us on 01543 572 776 and we will tell you honestly whether it is worth it 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 Royal Mail prices take effect?
The new Royal Mail prices take effect on 5 October 2026. Right up until 5 October 2026, the prices set on 7 April 2026 still apply.
Are 1st and 2nd Class stamps going up in October 2026?
No. First and Second Class letter stamps are not changing. A First Class letter stays at £1.80 and a Second Class letter stays at 91p. Large letter stamp prices are also unchanged. The October 2026 increase applies to parcels, Royal Mail Tracked, Special Delivery Guaranteed and Signed For parcels.
Which Royal Mail services are going up on 5 October 2026?
Four groups of services are increasing: Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed, Royal Mail Tracked, 1st and 2nd Class Parcels, and Royal Mail Signed For parcels.
Are franking prices changing in October 2026?
No. Mailmark franking prices are unchanged on every format. A First Class franked letter stays at £1.77 and a First Class franked small parcel stays at £5.45.
How much is a 1st Class parcel from 5 October 2026?
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. A First Class medium parcel up to 2kg is £8.70 by stamp or £8.05 franked.
How much is a 2nd Class parcel from 5 October 2026?
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. A Second Class medium parcel up to 2kg is £7.50 by stamp or £6.95 franked.
How much does franking save on parcels?
From 5 October 2026, franking saves between 35p and £1.45 on every parcel, which is 7.3% to 8.6% of the stamp price. Before 5 October 2026 there is no parcel saving, because the stamp and franked prices are identical.
Is franking still cheaper than stamps in 2026?
Yes. Franking with a Mailmark machine is cheaper than stamps on letters, large letters and, from 5 October 2026, parcels. The largest single saving is 13.33% on a First Class large letter up to 100g, which is £3.30 by stamp and £2.86 franked.