Introduction

This section gives a comprehensive overview of the rates in force in the UK for the inland post over the years, and should be enough to answer most questions about the postage rates paid on inland items (excluding modern business services for which the item bears no indication of the rate). It is hoped to expand it over time with further detail to fill in the more obscure rates (especially the situations such as late fees) to make it even more comprehensive.
Assistance is welcomed – indeed solicited – from any collectors who can make additional rate information available in a suitable format or offer advice. Please with details.
Distance Rates to 1840
This section covers the "pre-stamp" rates before the advent of Uniform Penny Postage, with rates dependent on both distance and the number of sheets of paper. It includes a set of notes on how the rates were worked out (in theory and in practice). The "Uniform Fourpenny Post" (which was not actually uniform) is included here.
Background Information
Within-country mails
- England and Wales – Internal Rates 1635-1660
- England and Wales – Internal Rates 1660-1801
- Scotland – Internal Rates 1660-1711
- Scotland – Internal Rates 1711-1801
- Ireland – Internal Rates 1657-1839
- Great Britain – Internal Rates 1801-1839
- "Fourpenny Post" 1839-1840
Cross-border mails
- Rates between England/Wales and Scotland/Ireland 1635-1660
- Rates on Anglo-Scottish Mail 1660-1801
- Rates on Mail between Britain and Ireland 1660-1839
Other mails
- Local Post Rates 1680-1839
- Island Packet and Internal Ship Letter Rates to 1839
- Printed Materials, Patterns and Samples 1753-1839
- The Franking System 1652-1840
Uniform Rates from 1840
This section covers rates from the Uniform Penny Post to the present day. Rates are generally much more straightforward than in the pre-stamp period, and interpretation of an ordinary cover is usually simply a question of noting what weight band was covered by a given rate and allowing for any extra services such as registration.
Letters and Packets
Parcels
Other Classes of Mail
Secure Handling
- Registration 1841-1993
- Advice/Proof of Delivery 1891-date
- High Value Packets and Bankers Special Packets 1930-1998
- Recorded Delivery/Signed For 1961-date
Express Services
- Introduction
- Express Delivery 1891-1980
- Special Delivery 1891-1993
- Express Delivery on Sunday 1899-1980
- Railway Letters 1891-1984
- Railex 1934-1980
Priority Services
- Combined Priority Services 1993-1998
- Special Delivery Next Day/Guaranteed by 1pm 1998-date
- Special Delivery 9am/Guaranteed by 9am 2003-date