A Guide to Franking Post and Its Privileges

Franking post is a unique postal service that offers several benefits to its users. It's a convenient and efficient way to send mail and packages.

To qualify for franking post, you need to have a franking machine or a permit. This allows you to print your own postage labels and send mail at a reduced rate.

One of the key privileges of franking post is the ability to send mail and packages at a lower cost than regular postal services. You can also track your mail and packages more easily.

By using franking post, you can save time and money on your postal expenses.

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You can post letters and parcels at various post offices, post boxes, and even some retail outlets.

The Royal Mail offers a range of postal services, including first class and second class post.

Letters and parcels can be tracked online using the Royal Mail's tracking service, giving you peace of mind that they're on their way.

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In the early days of the post, postal officials would often supply subscribers with copies of newspapers and Parliamentary Proceedings, sent by post under the franking privilege.

This practice was officially authorised by Act of Parliament from 1764, making it a legitimate perk for postal officials.

The franking privilege allowed for free postage of newspapers and Parliamentary Proceedings anywhere within the British Isles until 1784.

Here's a breakdown of the franking privilege for newspapers and Parliamentary Proceedings over the years:

The franking privilege was eventually abolished in 1840, with the last day of the franking system being January 9th of that year.

You can post franked mail in various locations, including Post Office branches, Royal Mail delivery offices, and mail centres. This is a convenient option for businesses that send a lot of mail.

Royal Mail offers a weekly pickup service for businesses that send a significant volume of mail. This service is available Monday to Friday for £825 annually, or £990 including VAT.

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If you have a franking machine, you can post franked mail in regular postboxes, but only if you use an outer provided by the manufacturer, and you're sending less than 30 items. This is a handy option for small businesses or those with limited mail volume.

There are also franking post boxes available, which are clearly marked for franked mail only. These post boxes are usually larger than regular postboxes, with a square shape and a larger slot for packages.

Using franking post can save you a significant amount of time and money.

Franked postage is designed to be a business solution, making it a cost-effective option compared to regular postage.

You can also use a franking machine to print your company logo on packages and letters, which adds a professional touch.

This eliminates the need for manual addressing and stamping, freeing up time for more important tasks.

By skipping the sorting room at the post office, franked post reduces the likelihood of delays.

The Royal Mail's pickup service can also be used to have your post delivered, saving you even more time.

Franked post is a business solution that saves time and money by being significantly cheaper than regular postage.

You can optimize the small tasks of addressing and stamping letters and packages with a franking machine, which also allows you to print your company logo.

Using a franking machine skips the sorting room at the post office, reducing the likelihood of delays.

With Royal Mail's pickup service, you can have your post delivered, saving you even more time.

Setting your franking machine to zero and doing a test run before your first batch can ensure top-notch print quality.

The franking privilege has a long history dating back to the 17th century in the United Kingdom. It was first introduced in 1660 as a way for the government to raise revenue without increasing taxes.

The privilege allowed taxpayers to send their letters and packages to other parts of the country without paying postage. This was a significant benefit for merchants and traders who relied on regular communication with their clients.

In 1839, the British government introduced the Uniform Penny Postage Act, which made it possible for anyone to send a letter anywhere in the country for a flat rate of one penny. This was a major milestone in the history of franking.

Prior to this, the cost of postage was based on the distance the letter had to travel. This made it expensive for people to send letters to distant parts of the country.

The franking privilege was also used by the government to send official documents and correspondence. This included letters from government officials, court documents, and other important papers.

By the 20th century, the franking privilege had become a standard feature of postal systems around the world.

If your business sends a moderate amount of mail, investing in a franking machine can save you money. Franking machine postage is significantly cheaper than regular postage.

You can benefit from franking machines even with a small company, as they were designed to be a business solution. There are multiple options to consider, including renting a franking machine or buying one outright.

To determine if a franking machine is right for you, simply fill out the franking machine web form to learn more.

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In franking post, it's essential to use the correct postage stamps to avoid any issues or penalties.

When using a franking machine, make sure to check the machine's settings to ensure it's set to the correct franking rate for your mail items.

Use a separate franking machine for each type of mail item to avoid any confusion or errors.

To avoid over-franking, always check the postage rates on the franking machine's display before processing your mail.

Always keep a record of your franked mail items, including the date, time, and amount of postage used.

Keep your franking machine well-maintained and calibrated to ensure accurate postage readings.

Make sure to follow the franking machine's guidelines for handling and storing the machine to prevent any damage or malfunctions.

You can post your franked mail in various locations, including Post Office branches, Royal Mail delivery offices, and mail centres. Business Post Boxes are also an option.

If you're sending a small number of items, you can post them in regular postboxes, as long as you use an outer provided by your franking machine manufacturer.

Business Reply Mail (BRM) franking is a type of preprinted frank with a Permit number that allows items to be posted as First Class Mail without advance payment.

The permit holder pays postage fees upon delivery to the specified address authorized by the permit. Governments also use BRM for official business purposes.

Here are some charges applicable to franked mail:

Posting postage can be a breeze, especially if you're a business owner. You can send franked mail from the post office or at a franking post box, and even have it collected from your business premises.

Royal Mail offers a weekly pickup service for £825 annually, which is a great option if you send a lot of mail. The service is available Monday to Friday, and you'll be given an FIR barcode that your collection driver scans at every pickup. You can send up to 4,000 standard letters or 1,000 large letters and parcels per collection.

If your business spends more than £17,000 a year with Royal Mail, you can use their pickup service for free. This is a great perk, and it's definitely worth considering if you're a heavy user of their services.

The franking privilege doesn't apply to local post charges, so be sure to pay attention to those. You'll need to pay London Penny Post and Twopenny Post rates, Dublin Penny Post rates, and "Standard" town Penny Post charges, among others.

Letters that exceed weight or number allowances will be charged at the normal rates, so be sure to check those carefully. And if you try to get away with underpaying postage, you could be charged double or triple postage, with a fine to boot.

In the old days, postage was marked with a manuscript or handstamped "Paid" marking, and the amount of the fee was collected. Today, we have all sorts of ways to pay postage, including stamps, franking machines, and computer-generated labels.

Here are some common forms of postage franking:

Business Reply is a convenient way to handle mail for businesses. It's a preprinted frank with a Permit number that authorizes items to be posted as First Class Mail.

The permit holder pays the postage fees upon delivery to the specified address authorized by the permit. This can be a cost-effective option for businesses that need to send out a lot of mail.

Business Reply Mail can be used for official business purposes, such as government-related correspondence. This allows governments to send out official mail that can be easily replied to by citizens.

The postage fees for Business Reply Mail are paid by the permit holder, not the person posting the item. This means that businesses can budget for their mail expenses more easily.