When a business changes address or moves offices - it is important for business owners to make sure that any posts or parcels that are addressed to them are able to find their way to their new address. There are services that offer mail redirection and that should help businesses get the posts and parcels addressed to them despite moving and changing addresses. With this service, when a business gets a post or a parcel, the items will be forwarded to the new address. The address can be for an address in the United Kingdom or an address outside the country.
How do you set up business mail redirection?
Those business owners who wish to apply for redirection of business mail should register with Royal Mail - applications can be done via post or by applying at a post office. The form that one should use for the application can be downloaded here or one can get one from any post office in the United Kingdom. Unfortunately, due to security-related concerns, applying online is not available for business mail redirection. When filling out the form to apply for postal redirection, a business owner should make sure to include all of the business’s names including the registered business name, trading name(s) and/or any abbreviations of the business name. In addition to this, proof of the business owner’s identification would also be required and so a copy of the owner’s ID will be required. All other documents that are needed to proceed with the application can be found on the form.
When should mail redirection be set up?
Business owners are urged to apply for redirection services as soon as possible. Royal Mail has to have five working days at the very least to be able to process the application and set up the redirection of business mail. Generally business owners are encouraged to send in their applications for postal redirection at least three weeks before the move is made.
It is important to keep in mind that business owners can apply for postal redirection services for up to six months before the move is made. They can also apply up to six months after the move has been made. Of course, it is important to keep in mind that when an application is sent in after the move, redirection services will not start immediately. In these cases, business owners should understand that if the post office is given notice about the postal redirection application less than five working days before the move is made, some mail or parcels that may come in could be delivered to the old address.
Owners also have the option to choose for how long they want to avail of the redirection services. They can avail of it for three months, six months, or one year. Businesses can use mail redirection services for a maximum of four years.
When your application has been accepted - a letter of acknowledgement will be sent to the old address which would serve as confirmation that the redirection is already in place.
How much it costs?
Redirection of business mail can be set up for up to four years. Your mail redirection can be set up for less than three months but three months is the minimum payment length. Prices for Mail redirection are summarized below – however a full list can be found on Royal Mail’s website here
UK Address
Up to 3 months £211 Up to 6 months £313 Up to 1 year £506
Overseas non-EU address
Up to 3 months £246 Up to 6 months £381 Up to 1 year £649
Overseas address – EU
Up to 3 months £294 Up to 6 months £456 Up to 1 year £779
published under Business Address Guides
