Sending money by post

Cash should not be sent in the ordinary mail

It is perfectly legal to send money in the post, as long as the post office of the destination country is happy to accept cash sent this way.

But Royal Mail stresses that cash and other valuables should not be sent in the ordinary mail.

It says valuable items containing coins, banknotes or currency notes; cheques or bankers drafts; and precious metal and stones should be sent by either Airsure, Swiftair or International Signed For (availability depending on country).

These services are available at all post offices across the UK.

International Signed For

This costs £2.85 per item plus the cost of the postage. It replaces International Registered and International Recorded services.

Customers are given a proof of posting certificate, and then the item is tracked until it leaves the UK.

Items require a signature on delivery.

Standard delivery times apply - eg 3 days to Western Europe, 4 days to Eastern Europe and 5 days elsewhere.

The price includes up to £30 compensation should the item go astray.

You can increase this level to either £250 or £500, depending on the destination country for another £1.

There is a weight limit on International Signed For items of up to 2kg for letters, printed papers and small packets (1kg limit Saudi Arabia, Small Packets).

And up to 5kg for printed papers containing books, leaflets and pamphlets (except Cambodia, Canada and the Irish Republic).

Airsure

This costs £4 per item plus the cost of the relevant airmail postage.

Airsure packs (C4. prepaid worldwide up to 300 g) are also available at £6.00 each.

Airsure receives priority handling in the UK and abroad and can improve on the standard Airmail delivery aims of 3 days to Western Europe, 4 days to Eastern Europe and 5 days elsewhere.

Items can be tracked up to the point of delivery, although it should not treated as a guaranteed courier service.

As before the price includes up to £30 of compensation should the item go astray.

You can increase this level to either £250 or £500, depending on the destination country for another £1.

You can use Airsure for items being sent to the following destinations: Andorra, Azores, Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Irish Republic, Madeira, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Spain and Sweden.

For all other destinations you can use Swiftair.

SwiftAir

This costs £3.30 per item plus cost of the relevant airmail postage.

Swiftair Packs (C4 prepaid worldwide up to 300g*) are also available at £5.50 each.

Swiftair items can reach their destination faster than ordinary Airmail items.

Items receive priority handling in the UK and a signature is taken on delivery.

Valuables may be included if the destination country permits.

As before the price includes up to £30 of compensation should the item go astray.

You can increase this level to either £250 or £500, depending on the destination country for another £1.

Consequential Loss is not available. Royal Mail may refund the Swiftair fee at its discretion.

For details visit the Post Office website or call 08457 740 740.