Royal Mail stamp 'mistake' that could mean people have to pay £1.50 extra

Royal Mail stamp 'mistake' that could mean people have to pay £1.50 extra Making this error could cost your friends and family money Anyone who sends post through the Royal Mail should make sure that a certain requirement is met every time. If they ignore it, it could trigger a small fee. Most Brits who use the national service may not realise how important it is to be mindful of where they put their stamp. According to the Royal Mail, people must always place their stamp in the top-right corner of the front of the envelope or parcel. This requirement is in place for a very specific reason; otherwise, it could delay items from reaching their destination. The stamp must go in the top right-hand corner because Royal Mail's automated sorting machines are programmed to scan that exact area to verify postage. If a stamp is placed anywhere else, the machines cannot read it, causing delays or potentially rejecting mail. Another important thing to check before sending is that the chosen stamp covers the postage. People can use multiple stamps to cover the cost, but falling short can result in an unexpected extra charge, starting from £1.50. To know if a stamp (or combination of stamps) correctly covers the postage fee, you need to check three main things against Royal Mail's current pricing and size guidelines. Measure your envelope or parcel and weigh it to see which category it falls under and ensure it stays within the weight limit. Decide whether you are sending the item First Class (which typically aims for next working day delivery) or Second Class (two to three working days), as the required postage rates differ. Add up the monetary or class values printed on or indicated by your stamps to ensure they match or exceed the current rate for that size, weight, and delivery speed. You can check current rates and use the official size guides on the Royal Mail Price Finder tool. What happens if the postage is not valid? On its website, Royal Mail said: "If you send a letter without the correct postage, we may still attempt to deliver it, but the recipient may be asked to pay the missing amount, along with a surcharge. If the recipient doesn’t pay, the item is returned to the sender (if a return address is included) or held for a limited time." The amount Royal Mail requests will vary depending on the item to be delivered and should be clearly displayed on a grey slip that is posted through the door of whoever is meant to receive the letter, card or parcel. To cover the correct postage, the recipient will need to pay: - Letters: £1.50 - Small Parcels: £3.50 - Medium Parcels: £1.50 handling fee plus "underlying missing postage (rounded to the nearest 10p" Royal Mail adds: "If the recipient chooses not to pay the fee, Royal Mail holds the item for 18 days before attempting to return it to the sender (provided a return address is written on the item)." The quickest way to pay is online. Follow the instructions on the grey card. using a debit or credit card or a PayPal account.