New Royal Mail policy
I have had the following reply to a surcharge query. I wrote to explain that the item weighed 640g not the 1240g that they are claiming. When did they start charging by volumetric weight?
Your enquiry has been fully investigated and we have found that you have been invoiced correctly.
Please note that the weight of 1240g refers to the volumetric weight, not the physical weight i.e. the bulkiness of the item. Wrapping the items in bubble wrap and a polybag has contributed to the overall dimensions of the package sent.
For your information we have closed the enquiry.
56 replies
Seller_7VbclcPFFRTnc
Was it put through as a parcel or large letter ?
Seller_Yja9oH7DLHk2I
I sent it as a parcel. I can’t reply to the message. I have tried calling a number but it is a 40 minute wait to speak to someone.
Royal Mail are just a shambles at the moment.
Seller_rgqzY6oIqUqWE
“I wrote to explain that the item weighed 640g not the 1240g that they are claiming.”
So the weight of the item, packaged up and ready for the label to be attached was 1240g, but the item before you put it in the box was 640g? Is that not the norm for the weight they are looking for?
…sorry if I have misunderstood 
Seller_Yja9oH7DLHk2I
I sent a parcel weighing 640g. They have applied a surcharge as they say it weighed 1240g.
When I challenged them they said this is the volumetric weight,
Seller_KKcTTZzy6Jd6Q
From my understanding Royal Mail only uses volumetric weight for items that go via ParcelForce (generally really large or heavy items)
Seller_Yja9oH7DLHk2I
Just got hold of someone at Royal Mail who seemed surprised by the information. She has said she is going to investigate and get back to me.
Seller_sFEUMUfeW5484
Likely just someone on the phone that assumed it “must” be volumetric. And in fact was just an error, the same that seems to have happened to a few others on here.
Seller_vTCC47DVMGUB8
This would suggest that the item weighed 640g and you did not allow for packing. Was it wrapped in bubble wrap and a poly bag? How did they know this information?
What was the weight of the parcel with the label on?
Unfortunately, Royal Mail, like many businesses, are great when they run ok but a complete disaster when you have a problem.
Seller_JHdYYHAeKWpb1
According to Royalmail email which I received today. The policy will be implemented on 28th March 2022
Dear XXXX,
Important information about service terms and conditions changes for items sent via Royal Mail 24® or Royal Mail 48®
In the September service terms and conditions update we notified you that if you are posting via Royal Mail 24® or Royal Mail 48® you would be required to provide an accurate weight and pre-advice for each item. We have listened to your feedback and to give you more time to meet this requirement we have extended the timescale to 28 March 2022 .
Products affected are listed below :
Product Code Product Description
CRL Royal Mail 24/48 Daily Rate
PK3 Royal Mail 24 (SORT8) (LL/P) Daily Rate
PK4 Royal Mail 48 (SORT8) (LL/P) Daily Rate
RM1 Royal Mail 24 (LL) Daily Rate
RM2 Royal Mail 24 § Daily Rate
RM3 Royal Mail 48 (LL) Daily Rate
RM4 Royal Mail 48 § Daily Rate
Charges for incorrect Average Daily Weight Postings
From the 1 October 2021, Royal Mail will be updating charges for instances where the incorrect Average Weight is declared on Royal Mail 24® or Royal Mail 48® Average Daily Weight Large Letters and Parcels products. These will cover the costs incurred when the average weight of your posting is mis-declared on your posting documentation and information contained within the barcodes compared to what is actually presented to us.
Details of these charges can be found on the Royal Mail Group Surcharges page: https://www.royalmail.com/surcharges
Thank you for choosing Royal Mail. We’ll continue to send you further details of any changes to our terms and conditions as they arise.
Yours faithfully,
