There is a list of restricted items as well
Old storm jacket image from 23 years ago
While much of our lives are digital these days, there are some things that can't be sent via email or message.
That's why the postal service is as important as ever. If you need to get a physical item to someone anywhere in the world, it's there to make it happen.
If those items are monetary or valuable in some way, there are rules and advice from Royal Mail to make sure they get there safely. There are also some restrictions on what can be sent.
Royal Mail rules on s
Royal Mail recommends using its Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed serice to send valuables, money or jewellery in the post. It says that money should be securely packaged and not visible from the outside. Senders also shouldn't indicate anywhere that money is inside.
It also says not to send coins in envelopes, as its machines could damage them. That, it says, can cause delays or a greater risk of them being lost.
Royal Mail definition of valuables
Royal Mail has a list of what is deems to be valuable when it comes to post:
Precious metal that has been manufactured in such a way as to add value to it, including coins used for ornament
Ingots
Diamonds and precious stones
Watches the cases of which are made wholly or mainly of precious metal
Articles similar to the above with an intrinsic value
Coins & bank notes of any currency that are legal tender at the time of posting
Postal Orders, cheques and dividend warrants uncrossed and payable to bearer
Unused postage, revenue stamps, National Insurance stamps, exchequer bills, bills of exchange, promissory notes and credit notes, bonds, bond coupons and any other investment certificates
Coupons, vouchers, tickets, tokens, cards, stamps and other documents that can be exchanged in whole or in part for money, goods or services
Royal Mail rules on sending valuables, money and restricted items abroad
To send these items abroad, Royal Mail recommends using its International Tracked service. That ensures extra compensation cover, with the maximum for loss or damage to international mail conatining cash being £100.
Again, Royal Mail recommends packaging money securely. It adds: "Take care to make sure it's not visible through the envelope. Don't indicate on the outside of the packaging that money is inside. Don’t send coins in envelopes. Our machines might damage them, causing delays and a higher risk of loss."
Countries where money cannot be sent
Royal Mail adds that many countries don't allow money to be sent through their postal networks and clarifies that it can't accept liability for loss or damage to money sent to these destinations:
Armenia
Australia
Belarus
Bolivia
Botswana
Bulgaria
Cape Verde
Central African Republic
China (excluding Hong Kong and Macao)
Comoros
Cuba
Czech Republic
Dominican Republic
Finland
France
Georgia
Germany
Greece
Hungary
India
Iran
Italy
Iraq
Jamaica
Kazakhstan
Laos (People's Democratic Republic of)
Latvia
Lebanon
Lithuania
Malawi
Mauritius
Montenegro
Namibia
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Poland
Rwanda
Serbia
Saudi Arabia
Spain
Swaziland
Tajikistan
Uganda
USA
Uzbekistan
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe