Royal Mail from ShipStation

Updated

Royal Mail from ShipStation is a shipping carrier included with UK-based ShipStation accounts. Once connected, you can create domestic and international shipping labels for small and medium parcels to be delivered anywhere within Royal Mail's extensive delivery network.

To start creating labels for Royal Mail from ShipStation, simply add your preferred billing method to ShipStation!

Royal Mail from ShipStation Requirements

  • A UK-Based ShipStation Account

  • Activate ShipStation Carriers by adding your payment method.

    You'll be prompted to enter your payment method the first time you attempt to create a label with any ShipStation Carrier, or you can add in advance in either your Carrier settings or Payments & Subscription settings.

  • Add funds to your ShipStation Balance.

    All ShipStation Carrier labels are purchased using the funds in your ShipStation Balance. The first time you add your payment method, you'll be prompted to add funds so you can begin purchasing labels right away.

Common Post-Shipping Adjustments by Carrier

See the Common Adjustments by Carrier section of the ShipStation ShipStation Carrier Adjustments page for carrier-specific, post-shipping adjustments.

Activate ShipStation Carriers

To activate ShipStation Carriers, you must add your label payment method and agree to the carriers' Terms of Service. Once activated, you'll have access to all the carriers available for your account's country.

To activate ShipStation Carriers:

  1. Go to Account Settings.

    Shows the gear-icon for Settings in the toolbar

  2. Select Shipping, then choose Carriers from the sidebar.

    Settings sidebar. Shows Shipping > Carriers selected

  3. Click the Get Started button.

    Carriers settings with arrow pointing to Get Started button

    Available carriers will vary by account country.

  4. Follow the on-screen instructions to enter your billing details, agree to the terms and conditions, and finish the setup.

Once completed, you can add funds to your ShipStation Carriers Balance and create labels with ShipStation Carriers.

Enable Auto-Funding For a Seamless Experience

We recommend enabling auto-funding to ensure your balance always has the funds for your label purchase needs.

Adding New ShipStation Carriers

ShipStation will sometimes add new carriers to the ShipStation Carriers roster! If you have already activated ShipStation Carriers and would like to start using the new carrier's services, go to Settings > Shipping > Carriers and click the Update button.

SET_SHP_Carriers_Update-New_MRK.png

Agree to the new carrier's terms, and you're done! Once enabled, you can immediately start creating labels with the new carrier.

Available Features for Royal Mail from ShipStation

Royal Mail from ShipStation supports the following standard features:

Key: Green checkmark. Supported feature. Yes. = Supported; Red X mark. Unsupported feature. No. = Not Supported; Grey dash icon. Not applicable. = Does Not Apply

Feature

Supported?

Domestic Shipping

Green checkmark. Supported feature. Yes.

International Shipping

Green checkmark. Supported feature. Yes.

Electronic Customs Submission

Green checkmark. Supported feature. Yes.

Return Labels

Red X mark. Unsupported feature. No.

Estimated Rates

Green checkmark. Supported feature. Yes.

Carrier Insurance

Green checkmark. Supported feature. Yes.

Tracking

Green checkmark. Supported feature. Yes.

Automatic Tracking

Red X mark. Unsupported feature. No.

End of Day (Electronic)

Grey dash icon. Not applicable.

End of Day (PDF)

Grey dash icon. Not applicable.

Label Branding

Red X mark. Unsupported feature. No.

Label Messages

Red X mark. Unsupported feature. No.

Multi-package Shipping

Red X mark. Unsupported feature. No.

Additional Features for Royal Mail from ShipStation

Feature

Description

Royal Mail Pickup

  • Pickups are scheduled when the label is created.

    • Pickup Date will be set for the first available slot within the next 5 business days. Same day collections are not available.

    • Sunday Pickups are not supported, you will need to change the order date to the next day to create a label.

  • The timeslot shown is an estimate from Royal Mail, they do not guarantee pickup times.

  • If a label is voided the pickup will be cancelled at the same time.

Parcelforce Collection services

Parcelforce does not provide same day pickup services. To create a label you will need to ensure the Ship Date is set to a future date.

Services to the USA

Due to the removal of de minimis exemption Royal Mail ShipStation from has suspended services to the USA.

Available Services, Packages & Confirmation Types

Domestic Services

Description

Carrier Code

API Code

Domestic Tracked 24 - Drop off

TOLP24

rm_cnd_walleted_tracked24

Domestic Tracked 24 - Parcel Collect (Bring My Label)

TOLP24COLLECTBML

rm_cnd_walleted_tracked24_collect_bml

Domestic Tracked 24 - Parcel Collect (Print at Home)

TOLP24COLLECT

rm_cnd_walleted_tracked24_collect

Domestic Tracked 24 with Signature - Drop off

TOLP24SF

rm_cnd_walleted_tracked24_sign

Domestic Tracked 24 with Signature - Parcel Collect (Bring My Label)

TOLP24SFCOLLECTBML

rm_cnd_walleted_tracked24_sign_collect_bml

Domestic Tracked 24 with Signature- Parcel Collect (Print at Home)

TOLP24SFCOLLECT

rm_cnd_walleted_tracked24_sign_collect

Domestic Tracked 48 - Drop off

TOLP48

rm_cnd_walleted_tracked48

Domestic Tracked 48 - Parcel Collect (Bring My Label)

TOLP48COLLECTBML

rm_cnd_walleted_tracked48_collect_bml

Domestic Tracked 48 - Parcel Collect (Print at Home)

TOLP48COLLECT

rm_cnd_walleted_tracked48_collect

Domestic Tracked 48 with Signature - Drop off

TOLP48SF

rm_cnd_walleted_tracked48_sign

Domestic Tracked 48 with Signature - Parcel Collect (Bring My Label)

TOLP48SFCOLLECTBML

rm_cnd_walleted_tracked48_sign_collect_bml

Domestic Tracked 48 with Signature - Parcel Collect (Print at Home)

TOLP48SFCOLLECT

rm_cnd_walleted_tracked48_sign_collect

ExpressAM Drop-Off (Parcelforce)

PFEAM

pf_cnd_walleted_exp_am

ExpressAM Parcel Collect Print at Home (Parcelforce)

PFEAMCOLLECT

rm_cnd_walleted_exp_am_collect

ExpressAM Parcel Collect Bring My Label (Parcelforce)

PFEAMCOLLECTBML

rm_cnd_walleted_exp_am_collect_bml

Express10 Drop-Off(Parcelforce)

PFE10

pf_cnd_walleted_exp_10

Express10 Parcel Collect Print at Home (Parcelforce)

PFE10COLLECT

rm_cnd_walleted_exp_10_collect

Express10Parcel Collect Bring My Label (Parcelforce)

PFE10COLLECTBML

rm_cnd_walleted_exp_10_collect_bml

Express24 Drop-Off (Parcelforce)

PFE24

pf_cnd_walleted_exp_24

Express24 Parcel Collect Print at Home (Parcelforce)

PFE24COLLECT

rm_cnd_walleted_exp_24_collect

Express24 Parcel Collect Bring My Label (Parcelforce)

PFE24COLLECTBML

rm_cnd_walleted_exp_24_collect_bml

Express48 Drop-Off (Parcelforce)

PFE48

pf_cnd_walleted_exp_48

Express48 Parcel Collect Print at Home (Parcelforce)

PFE48COLLECT

rm_cnd_walleted_exp_48_collect

Express48 Parcel Collect Bring My Label (Parcelforce)

PFE48COLLECTBML

rm_cnd_walleted_exp_48_collect_bml

Express48 Large Parcel Collect Print at Home (Parcelforce)

PFELGCOLLECT

rm_cnd_walleted_exp_lg_collect

Express48 Large Parcel Collect Bring My Label (Parcelforce)

PFELGCOLLECTBML

rm_cnd_walleted_exp_lg_collect_bml

International Services

Description

Carrier Code

API Code

International Tracked - Drop off

ITROLP

rm_cnd_walleted_tracked

International Tracked - Parcel Collect (Print at Home)

ITROLPCOLLECT

rm_cnd_walleted_tracked_collect

International Tracked - Parcel Collect (Bring My Label)

ITROLPCOLLECTBML

rm_cnd_walleted_tracked_collect_bml

International Tracked Heavier - Drop off

ITHCOLP

rm_cnd_walleted_tracked_heavier

International Tracked Heavier - Parcel Collect (Print at Home)

ITHCOLPCOLLECT

rm_cnd_walleted_tracked_heavier_collect

International Tracked Heavier - Parcel Collect (Bring My Label)

ITHCOLPCOLLECTBML

rm_cnd_walleted_tracked_heavier_collect_bml

International Tracked & Signed Heavier - Drop off

ITHOLPSF

rm_cnd_walleted_tracked_sign_heavier

International Tracked & Signed Heavier - Parcel Collect (Print at Home)

ITHOLPSFCOLLECT

rm_cnd_walleted_tracked_sign_heavier_collect

International Tracked & Signed Heavier - Parcel Collect (Bring My Label)

ITHOLPSFCOLLECTBML

rm_cnd_walleted_tracked_sign_heavier_collect_bml

Global Priority ROW - Drop off (Parcelforce)

PFIGPG

pf_cnd_walleted_gp_row

Global Priority ROW - Parcel Collect Print at Home (Parcelforce)

PFIGPGCOLLECT

rm_cnd_walleted_gp_row_collect

Global Priority ROW - Parcel Collect Bring My Label (Parcelforce)

PFIGPGCOLLECTBML

rm_cnd_walleted_gp_row_collect_bml

Global Priority EUROPE - Drop off (Parcelforce)

PFIGPE

pf_cnd_walleted_gp_eu

Global Priority EUROPE - Parcel Collect Print at Home (Parcelforce)

PFIGPECOLLECT

rm_cnd_walleted_gp_eu_collect

Global Priority EUROPE - Parcel Collect Bring My Label (Parcelforce)

PFIGPECOLLECTBML

rm_cnd_walleted_gp_eu_collect_bml

Package Types

  • Large Letter

  • Medium Parcel

  • Small Parcel

  • Package

Confirmation Options

  • No Signature

  • Signature

  • Signed For

The carrier can be used to create domestic shipping labels.

The carrier can be used to create international shipping labels.

ShipStation will submit international customs declarations electronically to the carrier.

The carrier can be used to create domestic return labels.

ShipStation will display estimated shipping rates for the carrier based on the connected account information and shipment details.

Shipment insurance, provided by the shipment's selected carrier, can be added to the shipment in ShipStation. This insurance would be in addition to any default coverage already provided by that carrier.

Shipping labels created for this carrier will include a tracking number that can be used to view the shipment status on the carrier's tracking website. Tracking may not be available for all shipping services.

Automatic Tracking

ShipStation can close the day's shipments for the carrier and submit the manifest electronically. The End of Day process may be mandatory or optional, based on the carrier and your account with them. A printable file may or may not be available when submitted electronically - see End of Day (PDF).

ShipStation can close the day's shipments for the carrier and create a printable PDF of the manifest to provide to the carrier. The End of Day process may be mandatory or optional, based on the carrier and your account with them. The file may or may not be submitted electronically - see End of Day (Electronic).

ShipStation can print the store's logo on shipping labels created for this carrier. Label branding may not be available for all services supported by this carrier.

ShipStation can print information on the label as a label message (configure in Label Document Options). The carrier may or may not support all 3 label message fields and label messages may not be available for all services supported by this carrier.

This carrier can be used to create multi-package shipments, where multiple labels are created for a single shipment and the individual packages are linked together in a single shipment record with a master tracking number.

Lost or Damaged Shipments

Should any of your Royal Mail or Parcelforce from ShipStation become lost or damaged in transit, you can file a claim within 80 days of the shipment date.

Royal Mail from ShipStation offers standard carrier insurance amounts for lost or damaged packages. Coverage for domestic services is £75, and for international services it is £50.

ShipStation manages all missing or damaged goods claims for shipments sent with Royal Mail from ShipStation. Do not contact Royal Mail support to file a claim.

How to File a Claim

  1. Submit a ticket to ShipStation Support with the following information:

    • Lost Package Claim: Tracking Number for the lost shipment.

    • Damaged Package Claim: Pictures of damage to the package and evidence for proof of value for the item(s) that were damaged in transit.

Notes about Royal Mail from ShipStation

  • While Royal Mail via ShipStation supports electronic customs data, you must still print and attach a physical CN22 or CN23 form to the outside of your parcel. Providing electronic data does not remove the requirement for physical documentation. Failing to include it may result in your shipment being returned.

    Customs Form Selection (CN22 vs. CN23): Use a CN23 for international shipments when the declared shipment value exceeds GBP 270. For shipments with a value up to and including GBP 270, use a CN22.

  • Royal Mail Collections are Monday-Saturday. Sunday collections are not available.

  • Shipping of Dangerous Goods is not supported with Royal Mail from ShipStation.

  • Label Messages are not supported with Royal Mail from ShipStation.

  • Due to the removal of de minimis exemption Royal Mail from ShipStation has suspended services to the USA.

  • Parcelforce domestic services are only available to specified post codes.

  • Parcelforce does not support same day collections or multi-package shipping.

Updated Customs Description Requirements for Shipments to the EU

Beginning February 2nd, 2026 the European Union will have enhanced customs descriptions requirements. The new requirements will include a list of Stop words, which are generic descriptions that do not allow customs authorities to clearly identify the nature of the goods being imported.

Please see Country-Specific Cross-Border Shipping Requirements for more information on the updated description requirements.

The carrier can be used to create domestic shipping labels.

The carrier can be used to create international shipping labels.

ShipStation will submit international customs declarations electronically to the carrier.

The carrier can be used to create domestic return labels.

ShipStation will display estimated shipping rates for the carrier based on the connected account information and shipment details.

Shipment insurance, provided by the shipment's selected carrier, can be added to the shipment in ShipStation. This insurance would be in addition to any default coverage already provided by that carrier.

Shipping labels created for this carrier will include a tracking number that can be used to view the shipment status on the carrier's tracking website. Tracking may not be available for all shipping services.

Automatic Tracking

ShipStation can close the day's shipments for the carrier and submit the manifest electronically. The End of Day process may be mandatory or optional, based on the carrier and your account with them. A printable file may or may not be available when submitted electronically - see End of Day (PDF).

ShipStation can close the day's shipments for the carrier and create a printable PDF of the manifest to provide to the carrier. The End of Day process may be mandatory or optional, based on the carrier and your account with them. The file may or may not be submitted electronically - see End of Day (Electronic).

ShipStation can print the store's logo on shipping labels created for this carrier. Label branding may not be available for all services supported by this carrier.

ShipStation can print information on the label as a label message (configure in Label Document Options). The carrier may or may not support all 3 label message fields and label messages may not be available for all services supported by this carrier.

This carrier can be used to create multi-package shipments, where multiple labels are created for a single shipment and the individual packages are linked together in a single shipment record with a master tracking number.

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