The Cheapest Way to Send a Parcel in the UK

One question we get asked most frequently is "What's the cheapest way to send a parcel?" In our uncertain economic climate, we know small business and individual sellers alike need to save on parcel delivery costs. At Interparcel, we want to provide all of our customers with reliable shipping solutions for less – taking the guesswork out of parcel delivery.

With over 15 years' experience, Interparcel has established excellent partnerships with the UK's largest and most reputable courier companies. Although you may automatically resort to sending with Royal Mail, using a courier comparison site like Interparcel allows you to find a service and price most suited to your needs.

Be it sending to a loved one or shipping regular parcels throughout the UK from your eBay or Amazon store, we want to help. That's why we've put together a guide on the cheapest way to send a UK parcel so you can start saving.

Keep it small

Sending small parcels and easily transportable items often works out cheaper. This may seem glaringly obvious but making sure your parcel is packaged appropriately for size is a guaranteed way to cut costs.

• Courier costs are determined via weight and dimensions of the content, so we recommend using sturdy cardboard that is a suitable size to ensure your parcel is secure and compact. In other words, don't use a huge box when a smaller one would suffice, who are you trying to impress?
• Reuse packaging to save costs. This may be materials that you've recieved yourself or from another means, this option is fantastic for reducing packaging costs and aiding the environment.

We know that sometimes knowing how to send large parcels can be difficult, but not to worry! We cater for all shapes and sizes and can lend a hand if you're looking for the cheapest way to send a large parcel. Thanks our partnerships with Tuffnells and Evri Light & Large (formerly Hermes), we can offer specialist services that can handle the big, the beefy and the bulky.

Keep it light

Much like parcels with smaller dimensions, lighter parcels prove easier for the courier companies to handle and process which is reflected in the parcel delivery costs. But we know you should never underestimate the power (or price) of small things. Protecting your parcels content however needn't be weighty, just by using materials such as bubble-wrap or packing peanuts can keep your items safe but lightweight.

For those customers that require pallets or weighty parcels delivered, our partnership with trusted brands such as Palletforce, Palletways and TNT Freight has you covered – let us do the heavy lifting.

Keep it flexible

If your delivery isn't of great urgency or you've planned your shipments ahead of time you can save money by using an economy service.

At Interparcel our extensive range of couriers means we have a variety of economy options to suit you. These services have slightly longer delivery estimates compared to our speedier services.

Don't worry though, if you've left it last minute and need to send a parcel urgently, we've compared all the prices to get the cheapest UK shipping, so you can save on Same Day or Next Day options.

Can you drop it off?

Popping to the shop for some bread? Drop your parcel off! Located throughout the UK Drop Off points can be found in local convenience stores or Post Offices. Many couriers prefer this option as it reduces travel costs and time delays, as well as harmful emissions making parcel delivery more eco-friendly. Dropping off your parcel can save you money and with couriers such as Collect who have over 5,800 drop off points local to over 90% of UK residents, sending cheap parcels has never been more efficient and cost-effective.

If, however you aren't able to make the trip to the shops, be it that extra cost for petrol or finding parking on a busy Saturday afternoon, we work with the cheapest courier services that can collect straight from your door at the lowest price possible.

Consider extra costs

If you're sending valuable goods you'll want to make sure you're covered in the unlikely event of loss or damage. We at Interparcel offer transit cover with most of our services as standard to protect our customers. We are upfront about our pricing so include this cost into our immediate quote every time, so what you see is exactly what you get – no add ons, no extra costs.

Parcel comparison sites allow you to select the right courier for your specific delivery needs without contracts or additional spending. The added benefit of trusting Interparcel to sort your shipping solutions is that we only partner with the most reputable couriers, so you can rest assured your shipments are in safe hands.

Keep it stress free

We want all of our customers to benefit from the cheapest UK parcel delivery prices, so that organising shipments can be stress-free and affordable. For individuals sending one off parcels to small businesses organising large shipments we are dedicated to accommodating your needs. That's why our customer query centre is open from 8am until 8pm from Monday to Friday via phone, email or live chat. So don't hesitate to get in touch with our Parcel Experts at a time that suits you!