How to Send a Letter: Step-by-Step Guide (Ireland & UK)
Dropping a letter in a post box seems simple, but different postal services, address formats, and annual stamp price changes can trip you up. Whether you’re sending a letter in Ireland with An Post or across the UK with Royal Mail, this guide walks you through each step from preparing your envelope to choosing the cheapest postage option, so you’ll know exactly how to get your letter where it needs to go.
Standard letter postage rate (Ireland domestic): €1.40 (2025) ·
Standard letter postage rate (UK from Ireland): €2.20 (2025) ·
Average letter delivery time (Ireland domestic): 1-2 business days ·
Number of post offices in Ireland: Over 1,100 ·
Royal Mail letter rate (UK domestic): £1.25 (2025)
Quick snapshot
- Use a standard envelope (max 240mm x 165mm for letter). (An Post Standard Post)
- Check weight under 100g for lowest rate. (Royal Mail letters)
- Ireland: Write recipient address centered, return address on back. (Smarty Address Formatting)
- For international letters, include country name. (Royal Mail country guide)
- Buy stamps at post office counters. (An Post)
- Buy stamps online. (Royal Mail)
- Drop in post box (green in Ireland, red in UK). (An Post post boxes)
- Use collection service if available. (Royal Mail collection)
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Standard letter weight limit | 100 g (Ireland and UK) |
| Ireland domestic stamp price (2025) | €1.40 (An Post Standard Post) |
| UK domestic stamp price (2025) | £1.25 (Royal Mail letters) |
| Letter to UK from Ireland price (2025) | €2.20 (An Post Standard Post) |
| An Post delivery time domestic | 1-2 business days |
| Royal Mail delivery time domestic | 1-2 business days |
How do you properly send a letter in the mail?
Sending a letter properly boils down to three things: the right envelope, a correctly written address, and the correct postage. Get these right, and your letter will reach its destination without delay.
What do you need to send a letter?
- A standard envelope (max 240mm x 165mm for letter-size mail).
- Your letter or document, folded neatly.
- A pen for the address (or a printed label).
- A stamp or printed postage label — available at post offices, online, or at some retail shops.
First-time senders often overlook envelope size and weight. A standard letter under 100g with the proper dimensions costs you the lowest rate — anything over that pushes you into packet pricing.
Step-by-step: prepare, address, stamp, post
- Prepare your letter: Fold your document so it fits neatly inside a standard envelope (240mm x 165mm max). Seal the envelope securely — tape is fine if the flap is weak.
- Address the envelope: Write or print the recipient’s address in the center of the front. In Ireland, the format is: recipient name, house number and street name (no comma between them), town, county, Eircode. The return address goes on the back flap. (Smarty Address Formatting)
- Affix postage: Place the stamp in the top-right corner of the envelope. Make sure you have the correct rate — domestic vs international rates differ.
- Post your letter: Drop it in a post box (green for An Post, red for Royal Mail), hand it in at a post office counter, or schedule a collection if your postal service offers it.
How do I send a letter in Ireland?
An Post runs the show in Ireland, with over 1,100 post offices and countless green post boxes across the country. Their Standard Post service handles letters and packets up to 2 kg.
What is An Post’s Standard Post service?
- Standard Post is An Post’s basic mail service for letters and packets up to 2 kg. (An Post Standard Post)
- Delivery within Ireland takes 1-2 business days.
- It covers both domestic and international destinations.
- Tracking is not included — that’s available with Registered Post or tracked services.
How to buy stamps in Ireland?
- At any post office counter across Ireland.
- Online at anpost.com (delivered to your door).
- At some retail shops and convenience stores that stock stamps.
- A standard domestic stamp costs €1.40 as of 2025.
If you’re sending a letter from Ireland to the UK, the rate jumps to €2.20 — that’s 57% more than a domestic stamp. Check the destination before you stick the stamp, because An Post won’t forward underpaid mail.
The pattern: An Post sells stamps in more places than you’d think — not just post offices but also local shops. If you’re in a hurry, a convenience store near you likely has stamps.
How to send a letter in the UK?
Royal Mail handles the UK’s letter delivery with a system similar to Ireland’s but with different pricing and post box colours. Their 1st Class service aims for next-working-day delivery.
What is Royal Mail’s letter service?
- Royal Mail processes all UK domestic and international letter mail. (Royal Mail letters)
- 1st Class: aims for next working day delivery.
- 2nd Class: aims for delivery within 2-3 working days.
- Letters up to 100g qualify for standard letter rates.
How to buy stamps in the UK?
- At any Post Office branch across the UK.
- Online at royalmail.com.
- At many supermarkets (Tesco, Sainsbury’s, etc.) and some corner shops.
- A standard 1st Class stamp costs £1.25 as of 2025.
The trade-off: 1st Class costs more but gets there in one working day; 2nd Class is cheaper but slower. For non-urgent letters, 2nd Class saves you money with only a minor delay.
How much are stamps?
Five prices, one pattern: domestic stamps in both countries hover around the €1.40/£1.25 mark, but sending a letter across the Irish Sea costs nearly double.
| Service | Price (2025) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Ireland domestic standard letter stamp | €1.40 | An Post Standard Post |
| UK domestic standard 1st Class stamp | £1.25 | Royal Mail letters |
| Ireland to UK letter (up to 100g) | €2.20 | An Post Standard Post |
| USA to Ireland (Global Forever stamp) | $1.65 | NanaGram |
| Royal Mail UK to Ireland letter (up to 100g) | £2.20 (approx) | Royal Mail country guide |
The catch: Stamp prices change annually — usually in April for An Post and March for Royal Mail. What you pay in 2025 may not be the same next year.
Can I post a letter without going to the post office?
Yes — and it’s easier than most people realise. Both An Post and Royal Mail offer multiple ways to post a letter without standing in a queue.
Using post boxes
- In Ireland: green post boxes on streets, with collection times listed on the box. (An Post post boxes)
- In the UK: red post boxes, also with collection times shown. (Royal Mail collection)
- Just drop your stamped letter in — no need to interact with anyone.
Online postage and collection services
- Both An Post and Royal Mail let you buy postage online and print it at home.
- Royal Mail offers a free collection service if you have a parcel or multiple items.
- An Post’s online postage is available through their website for stamps and labels.
The easier option — dropping a letter in a post box — relies on you having the right stamp. Without it, you’re back to a post office queue. Keep a few spare stamps at home and you’ll never need to queue just for posting.
The pattern: For most domestic letters, a post box is all you need. Only step into a post office if you’re sending something heavy, tracked, or international.
Confirmed facts
- An Post Standard Post handles letters up to 2 kg. (An Post Standard Post)
- Royal Mail 1st class delivers next working day. (Royal Mail letters)
- Stamp prices are publicly available and change annually. (An Post Standard Post, Royal Mail letters)
What’s unclear
- Exact collection times for all post boxes (vary by location).
- Whether specific retail shops sell stamps in all areas.
Quotes from the experts
“An Post Standard Post is a reliable and affordable service for everyday posting needs across Ireland.”
— An Post official guide on Standard Post
“When sending mail to Ireland from the UK, customs requirements apply for certain items — check before you post.”
— Royal Mail country guide for Ireland
Related reading: How to Send a Letter in Ireland: An Post and UK Guide · How to Wrap a Present – Simple Steps for Any Gift
Before you can send a letter, you need to know how to address and format it correctly, so check out this guide on writing a letter properly to ensure your envelope is ready for the post.
Frequently asked questions
What size envelope should I use for a letter?
A standard letter envelope should be no larger than 240mm x 165mm (C5 size). For international letters from the USA to Ireland, the maximum size is 11.5 inches by 6.125 inches, with thickness under 1/4 inch. (NanaGram)
Can I use a forever stamp for letters?
Yes, in the USA, Forever Stamps cover the current domestic rate regardless of when you bought them. For international mail to Ireland, you need a Global Forever Stamp ($1.65). (NanaGram)
How do I track a letter sent via Standard Post?
Standard Post from An Post does not include tracking. For tracking, use Registered Post or a courier service. Royal Mail’s standard letter service also lacks tracking unless you purchase a signed-for or tracked option.
What is the difference between 1st and 2nd class in the UK?
Royal Mail 1st Class aims for next-working-day delivery and costs £1.25. 2nd Class costs less (around 85p) but takes 2-3 working days. Both handle standard letters up to 100g.
Does An Post deliver on Saturdays?
Yes, An Post delivers standard letters on Saturdays in most areas. Sunday delivery is not available for standard mail.
Do I need a customs form for sending a letter to the UK from Ireland?
No customs form is needed for standard letters or documents sent between Ireland and the UK. However, if your envelope contains goods, gifts, or commercial items, a customs declaration may be required. Check Royal Mail’s international guide for details.
Can I send a letter internationally with just a stamp?
Yes, you can send a standard letter internationally with just the correct stamp. From Ireland to anywhere outside Ireland, use An Post’s international stamp rates. From the USA to Ireland, a Global Forever Stamp ($1.65) covers up to 1 ounce. (NanaGram)
For anyone sending a letter between Ireland and the UK, the choice is clear: use An Post with a €2.20 stamp for up to 100g, address with the Eircode on its own line, and drop in a green post box. For domestic senders on either side, the local carrier’s standard rate and a post box are all you need — no post office required.
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