
Parcelforce offers a range of courier services for UK and international deliveries, making it a convenient option for sending packages.
With a network of over 52,000 delivery points across the UK, Parcelforce can deliver to almost any address in the country.
Parcelforce also offers international delivery services to over 220 countries worldwide, making it a great option for sending packages to friends and family abroad.
Their international services include tracking and signature upon delivery, providing an added layer of security for valuable or important packages.
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History
Parcelforce has a rich history that dates back to 1883 when the Parcel Post service of Royal Mail was started.
The company was split into three divisions in 1986, and by August 1990, Royal Mail Parcels was rebranded as Parcelforce.
Michael Heseltine, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, proposed the privatization of Parcelforce in July 1992, citing that the company primarily served businesses and operated in a competitive market.
In 2002, the universal parcels service was transferred to Royal Mail, leaving Parcelforce to focus on time-guaranteed, next-day, and two-day express deliveries.
Parcelforce became the first express carrier in the UK to offer customers the option to offset carbon emissions in January 2007.
This innovative service allowed customers to donate 5p for a UK delivery or 10p for an international delivery to the Woodland Trust, with Parcelforce matching the donation.
Between 2012 and 2016, Royal Mail invested £75 million in Parcelforce Worldwide, opening new processing centres and depots across the UK.
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Network and Operations
Parcelforce operates its collection and delivery services via a network of 54 local depots. This extensive network enables the company to efficiently manage and process packages across the UK.
The company's depot network is part of the Royal Mail, a postal service that has been a cornerstone of the UK's postal system since its establishment in 1990.
Parcelforce collaborates with a wide network of courier companies to provide quality shipping services domestically within the UK and internationally. This partnership allows the company to offer a broader range of services to its customers.
Depot Network
Parcelforce Worldwide operates its collection and delivery services via a network of 54 local depots.
These depots play a crucial role in ensuring that packages are delivered efficiently and effectively across the UK.
Parcelforce Worldwide is a part of the Royal Mail, a well-established logistics company in the United Kingdom.
The company has a long history, dating back to its establishment in 1990.
Here are the types of services that Parcelforce Worldwide offers:
- Express mail
This service allows for fast and reliable delivery of packages across the UK and beyond.
The company's depot network is an integral part of the UK's postal system, working closely with other logistics companies to ensure seamless delivery services.
UK and International Delivery Times
Parcelforce offers a range of delivery services, including next-day delivery in the UK, with options starting from 9 am.
For international shipments, delivery times vary, but major destinations can expect delivery in 2-5 working days.
Parcelforce's international delivery times can be as fast as 24-48 hours for urgent shipments, regardless of whether they're local or worldwide.

Domestic delivery times in the UK are detailed in the following table:
Parcelforce's international partnerships, including GLS and EMS, ensure that a high percentage of consignments are delivered on time, with over 98% of packages delivered within the specified time frame.
Services and Features
Parcelforce offers a range of services to suit different needs, with one of the most popular being Parcelforce Express, which promises delivery within the UK by 9 am the next morning.
Prices for Parcelforce Express start from £39.90.
Express Services
Express Services are designed for those who need their packages delivered quickly. Parcelforce Express10 promises delivery by 10 am the next morning with prices starting from £29.82.
If you need a slightly later delivery, Parcelforce Express9 delivers within the UK by 9 am the next morning with prices starting from £39.90.
For a more relaxed delivery time, Parcelforce ExpressAM promises delivery by 12 pm the next day with prices starting from £19.74.
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If you're sending a large item, Parcelforce Express48 Large is a good option, delivering within 2 days as well but starting at £31.80.
For international deliveries, Parcelforce Global Express promises delivery starting from the next business day with prices starting at £43.50.
If you're not in a hurry, Parcelforce Express48 promises delivery by the end of the second business day following shipment with prices starting from £12.12.
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Print Labels
With our platform, you can print Parcelforce shipping labels directly from the WooCommerce dashboard for more convenience.
You can also generate these labels seamlessly, saving you time and effort.
Print Parcelforce shipping labels quickly and easily, making it a breeze to manage your shipping process.
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International Services
International shipping with Parcelforce can be a straightforward process. The cost depends on the destination's distance from the UK and the desired delivery speed.
Parcelforce offers various international shipping options, including express delivery with a transit time of 24-48 hours. This service is available for both domestic and international shipments.
For international shipments, Parcelforce's delivery time is up to 4 days, but this may be extended by a couple of days due to international customs procedures.
Parcelforce has partnerships with courier companies like GLS, which covers 42 countries across Europe and handles over 1 million packages daily. This ensures timely delivery of over 98% of consignments.
If you're looking for a more affordable option, Parcelforce's Global Value service starts at £9.78 and delivers between 5-8 business days.
To ensure smooth international shipping, it's essential to accurately complete all documentation, including the customs declaration (Despatch Pack CP72). This must include the sender's and recipient's telephone numbers for international destinations.
Here's a summary of Parcelforce's international shipping services:
- Global Priority: Delivers from 3 business days, starting at £30.00
- Global Value: Delivers between 5-8 business days, starting at £9.78
Domestic Services
Parcelforce offers a range of domestic services to suit different needs.
Their Parcelforce 24 service allows for next-day delivery, making it ideal for urgent packages.
You can send parcels weighing up to 30kg with this service.
Parcelforce also offers a more economical 48-hour service for those who don't need their packages as quickly.
Here are the different domestic services offered by Parcelforce, listed from fastest to slowest shipping speeds:
Saturday and Sunday Delivery
Parcelforce delivers every day within specified time periods, making it a reliable choice for your shipping needs.
From Monday to Friday, Parcelforce will deliver between 7 am and 5:30 pm. This ensures that your packages reach their destination during regular business hours.
On Saturdays, Parcelforce delivers between 7 am and 2 pm. This is perfect for customers who need their packages on a Saturday.
For Sunday service, Parcelforce will deliver between 9 am and 5 pm to 97% of the UK population. This is great news for customers who need their packages on a Sunday.
If you're a Click and Collect or account holder customer, Sunday delivery to businesses is guaranteed by noon. This means your customers can pick up their packages in the afternoon of the same day.
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If you're not an account holder, you can still benefit from Sunday delivery if you ship from a Post Office on a Friday. This means Parcelforce delivers every day of the week, keeping to its two-day promise.
Here's a breakdown of Parcelforce's Sunday delivery options:
UK Domestic
UK Domestic services are a great option for shipping parcels within the UK. Parcelforce offers multiple rates based on when you need your parcel delivered, with options starting at £24.70 for a delivery time of 28-46 days.
You can also opt for faster delivery times, such as Parcelforce 24, which delivers parcels the very next day. This service allows you to send parcels up to 30kg.
If you're planning to send a large number of parcels, Parcelforce offers business accounts that can provide up to 45% off standard contract tariffs. This can be a cost-effective option for small businesses shipping at least two parcels domestically or one internationally in one week.
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Parcelforce has a range of delivery services, including express9, express10, and expressAM, which deliver parcels by 9.00, 10.00, and 12.00 the next working day, respectively. Here's a summary of Parcelforce's UK Domestic delivery times:
Parcelforce also offers a range of features, including tracking with each package, free pickup, and the option to have parcels delivered to a post office or depot.
E-commerce Integration
You can manage all your orders and shipping from within your Shopify dashboard without switching to or logging in to any other website.
Whether your e-commerce business is hosted on Shopify or WooCommerce, Parcelforce shipping is easily integrated into your dashboard.
PluginHive offers shipping service apps for various e-commerce platforms, including Magento and BigCommerce, so you can optimize your shipping services with Parcelforce or other shipping companies.
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Directly from Shopify
You can manage all your orders and shipping from within your Shopify dashboard, eliminating the need to switch to or log in to any other website.
Parcelforce shipping allows you to manage everything from one place.
This streamlined approach saves you time and reduces the risk of errors, making it easier to run your online store.
WooCommerce Automation
With WooCommerce, you can automate your Parcelforce shipping process directly from your dashboard.
This means you can manage all your orders and shipping from within WooCommerce, without having to switch to or log in to any other website.
You can automate your shipping process with Parcelforce, and even optimize the services offered by them, thanks to PluginHive's dedicated team of experts.
Their team can provide you with an app or service to meet any of your business' shipping needs, including integrating with other platforms like Magento and BigCommerce.
By automating your Parcelforce shipping process, you can save time and boost efficiency in your e-commerce business.
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Tracking and Delivery
You can track your Parcelforce delivery with the track a parcel tool from Parcelforce Worldwide. This tool allows you to follow your parcel from shipment to delivery.
To track your parcel, simply enter your reference number, which may contain letters and numbers and can vary in length. The sender would normally provide the tracking number.
Parcelforce Worldwide UK services can be tracked, as can most of the international services, except for globalvalue and globaleconomy. These services have no delivery guarantee.
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Collection and Delivery
If you're working as a collection and delivery driver, you'll need to plan your route carefully to ensure timely delivery of parcels. You'll be collecting and delivering parcels to homes and businesses, going the extra mile for customers.
A full UK manual driving licence (Cat C1) with no more than 6 penalty points is required for this role. You'll also need to show your licence at assessment.
You'll be lifting and carrying parcels up to 30kg, so it's essential to be physically fit and able to handle this task. Friendly, positive, and proactive, you'll be looking for a long-term career in a growing company.
You'll be working as a team player, building strong relationships and striving for the best results. This is a rewarding role with best-in-industry benefits.
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Tracking and Delivery
You can track your Parcelforce delivery with the track a parcel tool from Parcelforce Worldwide. This tool allows you to track your parcel from shipment to delivery.
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To track your parcel, enter your reference number, which may contain letters and numbers and can vary in length - 9, 11, 13, 14, 16 or 21 characters. The sender would normally provide the tracking number.
Parcelforce tracking numbers for UK services start with a specific format, such as 2 letters and 7 numbers (e.g. AA1234567). International tracking numbers for exports also have a specific format.
Not all Parcelforce services can be tracked, however - globalvalue and globaleconomy services do not have tracking available. These services also do not have a delivery guarantee.
Parcelforce tracking numbers can be used to track parcels to delivery, even for international services. You can follow the parcel from the moment it is collected by the courier.
If you're unsure about the tracking number format for your Parcelforce delivery, you can check with the recipient to confirm delivery, as Parcelforce may not be able to provide this information.
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Competitor Comparison
Parcelforce still has some catching up to do when it comes to usage coverage in certain areas of the market.
Competitors like FedEx and UPS have a stronger presence in website categories such as retail and home & garden.
Parcelforce is still a contender for quick delivery for small eCommerce businesses in the UK.
Low prices are one of Parcelforce's strengths, with rates almost identical to Royal Mail's.
You can expect to pay around £9.00 for express delivery that can reach its recipient within two days domestically.
This is a relatively affordable option, especially for small businesses or individuals who need to send packages quickly.
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Domestic Rates
Parcelforce offers a range of domestic shipping rates, including express shipments with multiple delivery options.
Their express shipments can be tracked, and parcels can be delivered to a post office or depot. Free pickup is also available.
Prices start at £24.70 for deliveries that take between 28 and 46 days. This option requires parcels to be shipped from a post office and doesn't include insurance or compensation coverage.
You can send parcels up to 30kg using their Parcelforce 24 service, which delivers the next day. This service is ideal for urgent shipments.
Their more economical 48-hour service is also available, making it a great option for those on a budget.
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About
Parcelforce is a UK-based parcel delivery company that has been around since 1961, making it a well-established player in the industry. They have a strong presence in the UK, with a network of depots and delivery routes that cover the entire country.
Parcelforce offers a range of services, including parcel collection, delivery to the UK and internationally, and a variety of tracking options. Their services cater to both personal and business customers, making them a convenient choice for anyone who needs to send a package.
Parcelforce has a reputation for reliability, with 99% of parcels delivered on time. They also have a robust security system in place to ensure that parcels are handled and delivered safely.
Their customer service team is available to help with any queries or issues, and they offer a range of support options, including online chat and phone support.
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