The secret to saving up to 80% on postage

GET YOUR PARCEL THERE QUICKLY

Snappy delivery: Using express couriers can be cheaper than Royal Mail's economy service

An express service for items up to 1kg is still cheapest through the Royal Mail, though the heavier the package, the heavier the discount.

For medium trinkets weighing up to 2kg, CollectPlus offer the cheapest value and beats its competitors by up to a half, making it the most convenient as you can drop your parcel off at a local shop or garage.

My Parcel Delivery, ParcelHero and InterParcel are all in close competition as they offer an eye-catching express delivery service for a uniform price of just over a tenner for all parcels weighing up to 20kg, so it might be worth planning ahead if you’re sending heavy gifts to the same address.

It's worth keeping an eye out on delivery speeds from My Parcel Delivery, the services they offer depend on the amount of spare courier spaces they can get their hands on, though for guaranteed next day delivery, opt for InterParcel or ParcelHero.

IF YOU'RE SENDING ABROAD

Whether you’re sending birthday or home packages to loved ones abroad, casting a wider net through alternative methods will save you more.

The international comparisons are based on economy services against ParcelForce Worldwide’s global priority tracked service. 

Germany

Staggering savings: Sending parcels to Germany is just as cheap as sending parcels in the UK using Royal Mail

Parcel2Go offers a uniform price for all weights, giving a staggering discount rate of 78 per cent compared to using ParcelForce Worldwide, while My Parcel Delivery comes a close second. 

Although ParcelHero narrowly misses out on offering the cheapest service, they do give peace of mind by quoting a specific day of delivery, rather than offer a range of dates.

US

Shop around: Looking at the alternatives means you won't break the bank when sending abroad

For the price of sending a 1kg package to the US through ParcelForce, you could send two packages through InterParcel and have change left over.

For heavier items, you could save a mammoth £70 with InterParcel using their tracked economy service.

China

Far flung: Sending parcels to the Far East won't be too much of a stretch

Sending off to the far east need not require far off prices, and using a courier means you could save up to £85.

Whether you’re sending a package of home comforts to someone on their travels or sold an item to someone in China, using a courier means you won’t have to lug your package to the Post Office.

Australia