✓ Royal Mail Authorised Inspector since 2008 | Trading since 2005
The new Royal Mail prices are live from today, 5 October 2026.
Only stamp prices for parcels have changed, along with the tracked and guaranteed services. Mailmark franking prices are unchanged on every format, and so are 1st and 2nd Class letter and large letter stamps.
If you frank your post, there is nothing for you to do. Your machine needs no rate update.
Franking a parcel now saves you money
Until today, franking a parcel cost exactly the same as stamping it. A 1st Class small parcel was £5.45 either way.
From today the stamp price has risen while the franked price has held, so franking a parcel saves between 35p and £1.45 per item, up to 8.6%. That is a saving that did not exist yesterday.
What changed today, and what did not
Stamp prices that went up
- 1st and 2nd Class parcels
- Royal Mail Signed For parcels
- Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed
- Royal Mail Tracked
Unchanged
- Every Mailmark franking price
- 1st Class letter stamps, £1.80
- 2nd Class letter stamps, 91p
- All large letter stamp prices
Do I need to update my franking machine?
No. Because Mailmark franking prices did not change, there is no new tariff for your machine to download. The rates it loaded on 7 April 2026 are still the correct ones today. No update, no downtime, no action.
First Class Royal Mail postage rates, in effect from 5 October 2026
| First Class postage rates | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 rates, in effect from 5 October 2026
| Second Class postage rates | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 exempt from VAT. Mailmark franking prices are unchanged from the 7 April 2026 tariff.
Royal Mail Signed For parcel prices from 5 October 2026
Signed For adds a flat £1.60 to the parcel price and £2.00 to letters and large letters. Those fees have not changed.
| Signed For parcels | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Format | Class | Stamps | Mailmark™ Franking |
| Small Parcel 2kg | 1st | £7.50 | £7.05 |
| Small Parcel 2kg | 2nd | £6.20 | £5.85 |
| Medium Parcel 2kg | 1st | £10.30 | £9.65 |
| Medium Parcel 2kg | 2nd | £9.10 | £8.55 |
| Medium Parcel 10kg | 1st | £12.50 | £11.65 |
| Medium Parcel 20kg | 1st | £18.50 | £17.05 |
These are the Royal Mail prices in effect from today. Use our savings calculator to work out your own figures, compare our franking machines, or call us on 01543 572 776.
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 did the new Royal Mail prices take effect?
The new prices took effect on 5 October 2026. The previous prices applied from 7 April 2026 up until that date.
Did 1st and 2nd Class stamps go up in October 2026?
No. A 1st Class letter is still £1.80 and a 2nd Class letter is still 91p. Large letter stamp prices are unchanged too. Only parcel stamps and the tracked and guaranteed services rose.
Do I need to update my franking machine?
No. Mailmark franking prices did not change, so there is no new tariff to download. The rates your machine loaded on 7 April 2026 are still correct.
How much is a 1st Class parcel now?
A 1st Class small parcel up to 2kg is £5.90 by stamp, or £5.45 with Mailmark franking, a saving of 45p per parcel. A medium parcel up to 2kg is £8.70 by stamp or £8.05 franked.
How much does franking save on parcels?
Franking now 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 was no parcel saving at all.
Is franking still cheaper than stamps?
Yes. Franking saves 3p on every letter, up to 44p on a 1st Class large letter, and from today up to £1.45 on parcels.