***Royal Mail price increases April 2017, changes will affect both consumer & business customers. The cost of 1st and 2nd class stamps will both increase to 65 and 56 pence respectively. These changes will come into effect from 27 March.

Meanwhile, the price of business parcels sent under the Royal Mail 24 and Royal Mail 48 services will increase by an average of 1.5 per cent - and that’s before add-ons and surcharges.

Franking charges are also rising. A 1st class franked letter will rise to 57 pence from 53 pence, while second class will rise to 41 pence from 40 pence.

Parcel, package and pre-paid prices increase: Small business owners selling items through eBay or Amazon Marketplace will be hit too, with package and parcel prices also set to rise.

The cost of sending a small parcel up to 1kg will rise to £3.40 from £3.35 for first class non-franked mail, and to £2.90 from £2.85 for second class.

Franked small parcels up to 1kg sent first class will rise to £3.12 for first class and £2.62 for franking second class, from £3.07 and £2.57 respectively.

And even pre-paid envelopes will cost businesses more. The cost for 100 pre-paid DL size envelopes up to 100g, at first class, will rise by a pound to £74, with second class increasing by the same amount to £65.

Please use this table to work out which format your item falls into.

Letter Size Guide