Group Cookie Policy

International Distribution Services (IDS) (“we”) uses cookies and similar technologies on each website and mobile application that we operate. The technologies that we use include JavaScript tags, pixels, local storage, and web beacons, though for simplicity in this Policy we use the generic term “cookies” to mean all and any of them.

This Policy concerns the royalmail.com and parcelforce.com domains, and associated subdomains, and Royal Mail and Parcelforce-branded mobile applications, whose use of these technologies is explained further here. The websites and mobile applications which this Policy concerns are collectively referred to here as the “Online Service”.

Similar to other commercial websites and mobile applications, our Online Service uses a technology called "cookies" and web server logs to collect information about how our Online Service is used. A cookie is a very small text document, which often includes an anonymous unique identifier.

We use cookies for a range of purposes. They help us to present the Online Service to you, provide important functions (like our shop), and analyse how you arrive at and use the Online Service. We may also use some cookies to tailor adverts to you when you are on the Online Service, and when you are browsing other Online Services. 

Cookies provide us with information about how the Online Service is used so we can keep it as up to date, relevant and error free as possible.

If you would like to amend your cookie consent preferences, please navigate to our homepage and click on the ‘Change Consent Preferences’ module at the bottom of the web page. 

Further information about the types of cookies in use on the Website is set out below.

The types and categories of cookies we use

Cookies enable a small amount of data to be stored on your device when you access other Online Service on the internet. Cookies can be either:

• Session cookies - these expire when you close your browser and do not remain on your device; or
• Persistent cookies - these are stored in the longer-term on your device. They are normally used to make sure the site remembers your preferences.

The cookies that we use on the Online Service can be categorised as follows:

• "Strictly necessary" cookies are used to enable the basic functions of the Online Service, like security.
• "Functional cookies" allow the Online Service to remember the choices you make.
• “Performance” cookies support our analysis of the Online Service’s performance; and
• “Targeting or advertising” cookies help us and Third Parties to personalise content and tailor advertisements for you.

You can find more information about each of these categories of cookie below.
 
 

Your choices in relation to cookies

When you first visit the Online Service, you will be asked to confirm whether you agree to functional, performance and targeting/advertising cookies being placed on your device. You can change your choices at any time by clicking on the “Change Consent Preferences” link found at the bottom of most pages on the Online Service or in the menu on our App. You can also view a list of the specific cookies currently in use via the cookie preference banner, accessible through the same link.

At the same time, a small number of strictly necessary cookies will be placed on your device automatically in order to allow the Online Service to function.

Please note that if you choose not to accept cookies, or if you configure your browser settings to reject all cookies (including strictly necessary cookies), certain functions and services on the Online Service may not be available to you. This will also affect our ability to update the Online Service to cater for your preferences and improve the Online Service’s performance.

The types of cookies we currently use on the Online Service are set out in more detail below:

Strictly necessary cookies

Strictly necessary cookies are used to enable the basic functions of this Online Service like security.  As these cookies are essential, they cannot be switched off.

The Online Service uses strictly necessary cookies to:

• Identify you as being logged in to the Online Service
• Remember the goods and services you ordered when you get to the checkout page
• Remember things like information you've entered on order forms when you navigate to different pages during your session on the Online Service
• Remember things like service selections you have made which are essential for us to provide you with services you have requested
• Make sure you connect to the right service on the Online Service when we make any changes to the way the Online Service works
• Identify you as having consented to use of other cookies on the Online Service

Functional cookies

Functional cookies are used to remember information you provide when you browse the Online Service, as well as your choices. For example, they are used to store your username, log in details and language preferences, and any customisations you make to Online Service pages during your visit. They are necessary to provide features and services specific to individual users.

The Online Service uses functional cookies to:

• Remember settings you've applied (such as layout, text size, preferences and colours)
• Remember selections you have made (such as search functions and results, and goods and services)
• Apply customised content segments to individual users
• Apply users' individual service specifications (such as usage or credit allowance)
• Share information with our trusted third parties' who helps us to provide a service on the Online Service. The information shared is only to be used to provide the service, product or function and not for any other purpose
• Enable live help services, use of map and location services, video content for playback and site search functionality.

Performance cookies

Performance cookies allow us to update the Online Service to cater for user preferences and improve performance. These include analytics cookies, which collect information about how the Online Service is used, for example, which pages users visit most often and where error messages are delivered. This helps us understand user behaviour and improve the overall experience

The Online Service uses performance cookies to:

• Provide statistics on how the Online Service is used (including selections that you have made, and goods and services that you have viewed, during your use of the Online Service)
• See how effective our adverts are
• Enable us to track and improve the Online Service by analysing visitor behaviour and results
• Improve the management and performance of tags on the Online Service
• To collect user opinions and feedback on the Online Service experience or products offered

To find out how to manage your cookies using browser settings for the most popular browsers see below.

Internet Explorer

Firefox

Google Chrome

Safari

Related links

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