Business Airmail

How can I set up an account?

You need to set up an Online Business Account

How can I get a franking machine?

Franking machines can be bought or leased from a number of franking machine suppliers. Once you have a machine, it is necessary to prepay postage by crediting the machine. Your supplier can arrange this for you. Find out more about Franking

Can I use my existing Online Business Account?

Yes. If you already have an Online Business Account then you are only a short step away from using Business Airmail.

Is Business Airmail subject to VAT?

Business Airmail is not normally subject to VAT, except when it’s combined with our Airsure® service and sent to European Union destinations.

How do I get bag labels, franking pouches and Airmail stickers?

You need to post Business Airmail in bags, trays or, for franked mail, in a white pouch. Ask your account handler, call 08457 950 950 or go to our Online Mail Supplies page. Remember, you don’t have to apply special Airmail stickers - you can print or stamp the words ‘Airmail/Par Avion’ onto your envelopes instead.

How do I post my mail when I use Business Airmail?

You can have your mail collected free of charge provided you spend over £15,000 a year. Otherwise fees apply. Alternatively you can take your mail into a Post Office® or to a Royal Mail sorting office. Franked mail can also be posted into special business posting boxes located in some areas. 

What can be sent as printed papers?

• Advertisements
• Books
• Calendars
• Catalogues
• Change of address cards
• Diaries
• Directories
• Greeting cards (including five words of greeting)
• Illustrations
• Leaflets and pamphlet
• Magazines
• Maps
• Musical scores
• Newspapers
• Plans
• Postcards
• Photographs
• Price lists
• Printed drawings
• Printed notices
• Proofs
• Prospectuses
• Timetables.

What can't be sent under the printed papers rules?

• Letters
• Personal messages or greetings, other than the five words allowed on greeting cards
• Handwritten receipts
• Lottery tickets
• Photographic negatives
• Slides or film
• Postage stamps
• Stationery (blank paper, envelopes or cards). 

How should printed papers be marked?

The words 'PRINTED PAPERS' need to appear on the outside of the package on the top left hand corner. Also remember ''PAR AVION-BY AIRMAIL' needs to appear too.

What about customs declarations for printed papers?

Follow the standard rules regarding customs declarations. In addition the following countries require a customs declaration either for items containing books or for all printed matter:

• Algeria
• Bangladesh
• Djibouti
• Dominican Republic
• India
• Japan
• Venezuela
• Zimbabwe. 

How can I send Business Airmail even faster?

Airsure® is a service which provides priority handling in the UK and abroad, and despatches on the first available flight to 35 destinations.

Can I track my item?

If you use Airsure®, you can track your item online to its final destination. For some destinations, International Signed For™ provides overseas tracking.

What other services are there?

You can use International Signed For™ to send mail to just about every country in the world. All mail will be recorded at the point of delivery with a signature taken. We also operate a Surface Mail service that you access via your franking machine or account. If you have an account please senter the code OLS. It is important to note that letters cannot be sent via Surface Mail to Europe - they must be sent Airmail.