Royal Mail Postage Rates 2026 - October Price Update!
Franking Machine Warehouse can confirm the Royal Mail price change taking effect on 5th October 2026. It is a narrower change than April: stamp prices only. Every Mailmark franking price is held, and 1st and 2nd Class letter stamps are not moving.
In short: Royal Mail is increasing stamp prices on parcels and on its tracked and guaranteed services from 5th October 2026. Franking prices are unchanged. A 1st Class letter remains £1.80 by stamp or £1.77 franked, and a 2nd Class letter 91p or 88p franked. Because stamp parcel prices rise and franked parcel prices do not, franking a parcel now saves between 35p and £1.45 an item.
The services affected on 5th October 2026
- 1st and 2nd Class parcels
- Royal Mail Signed For parcels
- Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed
- Royal Mail Tracked
Not affected: every Mailmark franking price, 1st and 2nd Class letter stamps, and large letter stamps at all weights.
Already have a franking machine? Nothing to do
Since franking prices are not changing, there is no new tariff for your machine to download. The rates it took on 7th April 2026 stay correct through this change. No update, no engineer, no action.
Weighing up a franking machine? The maths just moved
This change strengthens the case for a machine in a way previous tariffs did not.
Franking has always undercut stamps on letters and large letters. Parcels were the exception: a 1st Class small parcel cost £5.45 by stamp and £5.45 franked, so on parcels a machine paid you back nothing. From 5th October the stamp price rises and the franked price holds, so parcels now save too:
- 1st Class small parcel up to 2kg: 45p saved per item
- 1st Class medium parcel up to 20kg: £1.45 saved per item
- 2nd Class small parcel up to 2kg: 35p saved per item
- 2nd Class medium parcel up to 20kg: £1.05 saved per item
That is up to 8.6% off parcel postage, alongside the 13.33% already saved on a 1st Class large letter. For a business sending ten 1st Class small parcels a day across 250 working days, that is £1,125 a year in postage alone, before you count the letters.
Royal Mail First Class Postage Rates from 5th October 2026
The full First Class table applying from 5th October 2026, stamp against Mailmark.
| 1st Class Postage Rates | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | Weight up to and including | Stamp Prices | Mailmark™ Prices |
| Letter | 0-100g | £1.80 | £1.77 |
| Large Letter | 0-100g | £3.30 | £2.86 |
| 101-250g | £3.60 | £3.28 | |
| 251-500g | £3.60 | £3.30 | |
| 501-750g | £3.60 | £3.30 | |
| Small Parcel | 0-1kg | £5.90 | £5.45 |
| 1-2kg | £5.90 | £5.45 | |
| Medium Parcel | 0-1kg | £8.70 | £8.05 |
| 1-2kg | £8.70 | £8.05 | |
| 2-5kg | £10.90 | £10.05 | |
| 5-10kg | £10.90 | £10.05 | |
| 10-20kg | £16.90 | £15.45 | |
Royal Mail Second Class Postage Rates from 5th October 2026
The Second Class equivalent. Again, only the parcel rows have changed.
| 2nd Class Postage Rates | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | Weight up to and including | Stamp Prices | Mailmark™ Prices |
| Letter | 0-100g | 91p | 88p |
| Large Letter | 0-100g | £1.55 | £1.52 |
| 101-250g | £1.90 | £1.81 | |
| 251-500g | £2.40 | £2.30 | |
| 501-750g | £2.70 | £2.50 | |
| Small Parcel | 0-1kg | £4.60 | £4.25 |
| 1-2kg | £4.60 | £4.25 | |
| Medium Parcel | 0-1kg | £7.50 | £6.95 |
| 1-2kg | £7.50 | £6.95 | |
| 2-5kg | £9.50 | £8.75 | |
| 5-10kg | £9.50 | £8.75 | |
| 10-20kg | £14.20 | £13.15 | |
Download the Postage Rates 2026 PDF for a printable copy of the October prices.
Royal Mail October 2026 postage rates FAQs
When do the new Royal Mail postage rates start?
The new Royal Mail stamp prices take effect on 5th October 2026. Right up until 5th October 2026, the prices set on 7th April 2026 still apply.
Are 1st and 2nd Class stamp prices going up in October 2026?
No. A 1st Class letter stays at £1.80 and a 2nd Class letter stays at 91p. Large letter stamp prices are unchanged too. Only parcel stamps and the tracked and guaranteed services are rising.
Are Mailmark franking prices changing in October 2026?
No. Every Mailmark franking price is unchanged on 5th October 2026, on letters, large letters and parcels alike.
Do I need to update my franking machine for this change?
No. Because Mailmark franking prices are not changing, there is no new tariff to download. The rates your machine loaded on 7th April 2026 remain correct.
How much is a 1st Class parcel from 5th October 2026?
A 1st Class small parcel up to 2kg costs £5.90 with a stamp, or £5.45 with a Mailmark franking machine, saving 45p per parcel. A medium parcel up to 2kg costs £8.70 by stamp or £8.05 franked.
How much does a franking machine save on parcels?
From 5th October 2026 a Mailmark franking machine saves between 35p and £1.45 on every parcel, which is 7.3% to 8.6% of the stamp price. Before that date the stamp and franked parcel prices are identical.
Is a franking machine worth it after the October 2026 change?
The case is stronger than before. Franking already saved up to 13.33% on a 1st Class large letter, and from 5th October 2026 it also saves up to 8.6% on parcels, where previously there was no parcel saving at all.
Related reading
- Is a Franking Machine Worth It for Your Business in 2026?
- First Class vs Second Class Franking: Which Should Your Business Use in 2026?
- Royal Mail Postage Rates 2026 Effective From Today - April Update
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