Airmail

Sizes and weights

You can send postcards, letters and small packets weighing up to 2kg with Airmail.

It's important to remember that International size dimensions are smaller than those for the UK.

Items in the form of a postcard, letter or packet
Minimum: One surface at least 90mm x 140mm
No single side must be longer than 600mm.

Items in the form of a roll
Minimum: length plus 2 x diameter should be at least 170mm
No single side can be shorter than 100mm.

Printed Papers

You can send books and pamphlets weighing up to 5kg by Airmail. You can include a letter relating to the contents, but no other personalised correspondence. When using this service, please write ‘PRINTED PAPERS’ in the top left corner on the front.

Exceptions:

• no items over 2kg (including books and pamphlets) can be sent to Canada and Cambodia
• only books can be sent over 2kg to the Irish Republic.

When we deliver

We aim to deliver your mail to:

• Western Europe within three working days
• Eastern Europe within five working days
• major cities worldwide within five working days and other destinations within seven.

Packing

It’s important to wrap and pack your mail securely. We have some guidelines that will help. Get advice on packing your item.

Addressing

Clearly addressing your item will help us deliver it faster. Get advice on international addressing. Don’t forget to write your return address on the back of your envelope or packet.

Including 'Airmail' on your letter

You can pick up our free blue Airmail stickers at any Post Office®. Find your nearest branch. Or, you can write Par Avon Airmail on the top left hand corner.

Customs

• EU - In general if you’re posting to an EU country, you don’t need a Customs declaration, but there are a few exceptions. Find out more about paying your customs.
• Rest of the world - if you’re sending packets or parcels to a country outside the EU, you need to sign and date a declaration and include your name and address. Customs forms are available at the Post Office® and online.
• Items worth up to £270 must carry customs declaration CN22. Find out about CN22.
• Items worth over £270 must carry customs declaration CN23 and the SP126 plastic envelope.. Find out about CN23.

Compensation

If your item is lost or damaged, we provide compensation. Find out more about compensation. If you want additional compensation cover up to £500, find out about Airsure®. Where destinations are not available for Airsure use International Signed For™.

Prohibited goods

We have a list of prohibited and restricted goods that you cannot send.

Countries overseas also have their own rules on what they will and will not allow to be sent by post. Please check that you are able to send your item. 

International mail checklist

Need more information and guidance? We’ve created a checklist to help you prepare and use Airmail. Find out more from our checklist.