Royal Mail advice as certain parcels may be refused to 51 destinations

Royal Mail advises customers to double-check before posting some items, as certain parcels may be refused. It also notes on its website that some parcels can’t be sent to a number of destinations, with a list of countries where money is prohibited.

It explains: “Many countries don’t allow money to be sent through their postal networks.” Because of this, “Royal Mail can’t accept liability for loss or damage to money sent to” certain destinations.

If you’re sending valuables, cash or restricted items overseas – including jewellery – the postal service recommends using its international Tracked services.

Royal Mail note: “This service is available with extra compensation cover. The maximum compensation for loss or damage to international mail containing money is £100.”

When packaging items, it also recommends taking “care to make sure it’s not visible through the envelope. Don’t indicate on the outside of the packaging that money is inside.”

It further warns: “Don’t send coins in envelopes. Our machines might damage them, causing delays and a higher risk of loss.”

Royal Mail definition of valuables is any item that is:

• Coupons, vouchers, tickets, tokens, cards, stamps and other documents that can be exchanged in whole or in part for money, goods or services
• Diamonds and precious stones
• Watches the cases of which are made wholly or mainly of precious metal
• Coins & bank notes of any currency that are legal tender at the time of posting
• Articles similar to the above with an intrinsic value
• Unused postage, revenue stamps, National Insurance stamps, exchequer bills, bills of exchange, promissory notes and credit notes, bonds, bond coupons and any other investment certificates
• Ingots
• Precious metal that has been manufactured in such a way as to add value to it, including coins used for ornament
• Postal Orders, cheques and dividend warrants uncrossed and payable to bearer

Business post

The Royal Mail states that if you’re sending valuables, money or jewellery in the post, you should use its Special Delivery Guaranteed®.

Royal Mail definition of valuables is any item that is:

• Any precious metal that has been made to add a retail value of greater than £150 to the raw material (including coins used for ornament)
• Any similar articles with a value other than the value of the workmanship
• Coupons, vouchers, tokens, cards, stamps and other documents that can be exchanged for money, goods or services, dividend warrants uncrossed and payable to bearer or bond coupons
• Money (of any currency), bank notes, postal orders, cheques, unused postage, revenue stamps, National Insurance stamps, exchequer bills, bills of exchange, promissory notes and credit notes, bonds, coupons and other investment certificates
• Articles similar to the above with an intrinsic value
• Watches (the cases of which are made totally or mainly of precious metal) with a retail value of greater than £150
• Any diamonds, precious stones, or precious metals with a retail value of greater than £150
• Jewellery containing diamonds, precious metal and/or precious stones with a retail value of greater than £150

You can read more about what can and cannot be sent here.