Royal Mail Damaged Parcel: Compensation Claim UK
If your parcel arrived damaged or the contents are broken with a Royal Mail delivery, you have rights as a UK consumer. Sections 20 and 22 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 give you a short-term right to reject goods that are not of satisfactory quality, normally within 30 days of delivery, for a full refund. The retailer is responsible. If you bought goods online, the retailer is responsible under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. Personal Royal Mail claims apply when you posted the parcel yourself. Use this page to check what to do next, the Royal Mail claim window, and when to escalate if the retailer refuses. Compensation figures vary by service, so always verify the current numbers on Royal Mail's website before relying on them.
How to claim a refund
- 1
Photograph the parcel from all sides before you fully unpack it. Capture damage to the outer box and the contents in the same shots.
- 2
Keep all packaging until the claim is closed. Royal Mail or the retailer may ask for it as evidence.
- 3
Contact the retailer in writing within 30 days of delivery. Quote sections 20 and 22 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015: you can normally reject goods that are not of satisfactory quality within 30 days for a full refund.
- 4
Send the photos and video evidence. Make clear whether you want a full refund, replacement, or partial refund.
- 5
Ask the retailer to claim from Royal Mail via Royal Mail's online claim form (proof of posting and contents required). Royal Mail's damage window is 30 calendar days of the eligible claim date on Tracked 24 and Tracked 48, which most retailers ship on, and up to 80 calendar days from posting on other services (verify on the Royal Mail website).
- 6
If the retailer refuses, use Section 75 (if you paid on credit and your purchase qualifies) or a chargeback (usually within 120 days; check with your bank). Further escalation: the Postal Review Panel and then the Postal Redress Service (POSTRS).
Royal Mail compensation and escalation
- Claim window
- 30 calendar days of the eligible claim date on Tracked 24 and Tracked 48, which most retailers ship on, and up to 80 calendar days from posting on other services (verify on the Royal Mail website)
- How to claim
- Royal Mail's online claim form (proof of posting and contents required)
- Escalation
- the Postal Review Panel and then the Postal Redress Service (POSTRS)
Frequently asked questions
Should I claim from Royal Mail or the retailer?
Claim from the retailer. If you bought goods online, the retailer is responsible under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. Personal Royal Mail claims apply when you posted the parcel yourself. Your contract is with the retailer, so it is the retailer's job to deal with Royal Mail.
What is Royal Mail's claim window for this issue?
30 calendar days of the eligible claim date on Tracked 24 and Tracked 48, which most retailers ship on, and up to 80 calendar days from posting on other services (verify on the Royal Mail website). Always check the current terms on Royal Mail's own website before relying on a deadline.
What if the retailer refuses to refund?
If you paid on credit, you may have a Section 75 claim against your card issuer or lender for a single item (or a set sold together) with a cash price over £100 and up to £30,000, paid for wholly or partly on credit, most often a credit card (some point-of-sale loans and store or catalogue credit also qualify; paying through PayPal or some marketplaces can rule it out). If not, or if you paid by debit card, ask your bank about a chargeback; the usual time limit is about 120 days, but check with your bank. You can also escalate via the Postal Review Panel and then the Postal Redress Service (POSTRS).
Do I need to keep the damaged Royal Mail packaging?
Yes, keep it. The retailer or Royal Mail can ask for photos of the original packaging as part of a claim, and discarding it can weaken the retailer's courier claim and your own evidence.
Can I ask for a full refund or only a replacement?
If the goods are damaged on arrival, sections 20 and 22 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 give you a short-term right to reject and a full refund, normally within 30 days of delivery. After that, you can ask for repair or replacement.
