Royal Mail has a rule that you must follow when sending a parcel, card, or letter.
Many people will already do this automatically but if you do not send things by post often, it might catch you out.
If you do not follow the simple rule, the recipient of the parcel or letter will have to pay a fee between ÂŁ1.50 and ÂŁ7.
To send a parcel with Royal Mail, you must always put the stamp in the top right-hand corner on the front of the item.
What rules does Royal Mail have for sending parcels or letters?
If stamps are placed in the wrong place, it could mean the parcel or letter will be delayed because Royal Mail’s sorting machines are programmed to scan that specific area.
The automatic machines might also mark the item as having no postage paid, which could mean the person receiving the item will have to pay a fee for it.
The recipient can visit the sorting office and look at the envelope but if they do not know who the parcel is from or do not want to pay the fee, the item will be kept for 18 days before it is returned to the sender or destroyed.
There are a few other rules that Royal Mail says people should follow to avoid any delays or fees for their items.
The stamp should also be placed completely flat and visible with the Queen or King’s head facing the right way up.
The area around the stamp must also be kept clear, as Royal Mail uses the space for tracking codes and digital postmarks.
Writing over the stamp will make it difficult for Royal Mail machines to read the tracking code.
Royal Mail says: "The days of licking stamps are over.
"Just peel your stamp and stick it in the top right-hand corner of your letter.
"You’ll need your stamp to be clearly visible, not bent over an edge and on the same face of your parcel as the address.
"Many stamps contain barcodes to assist in tracking, so it’s important that the stamp is flat and easy to scan."
How often do you send parcels and letters? Let us know in the comments.
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