Do Parcelforce deliver on Saturday? This is a frequently asked question among UK businesses, online sellers, and individuals eager to ensure parcels arrive on time, even over the weekend.
With the increasing demand for faster, more flexible delivery options, Parcelforce Worldwide has expanded its services to include Saturday delivery on selected offerings. However, this feature comes with important conditions, additional costs, and postcode-specific restrictions.
This in-depth guide explains everything you need to know about Parcelforce’s Saturday delivery: how it works, what it costs, how to book it, its availability across the UK, and how it compares to other major weekend courier services.
Whether you are sending business parcels, gifts, or urgent documents, this guide will help you make an informed choice.
What Weekend Delivery Services Does Parcelforce Offer?
Parcelforce, part of the Royal Mail Group, is one of the largest and most trusted courier networks in the UK. While its main operations run Monday to Friday, Parcelforce recognises the needs of customers who require weekend deliveries. To meet this demand, it offers optional Saturday delivery on certain premium services.
The Saturday delivery service is designed for individuals and businesses who want parcels to reach their recipients before the start of the next working week.
Typical use cases include e-commerce fulfilment, sending perishable or time-sensitive goods, urgent business shipments, and personal deliveries such as gifts. Notably, Parcelforce does not offer regular Sunday delivery services.
What Is Parcelforce’s Standard Delivery Schedule?
Parcelforce’s delivery schedule runs throughout the working week and includes Saturday mornings. Here is an overview of the general delivery windows:
| Day | Delivery Window |
| Monday–Friday | 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM |
| Saturday | 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM |
| Sunday | No standard delivery |
While these are the general operational hours, only time-definite services such as Express AM or Express24 Saturday guarantee specific delivery times. Without these upgrades, parcels will be delivered at any point during the general window.
Does Parcelforce Deliver on Saturdays?
Yes, Parcelforce delivers on Saturdays, but only if the sender selects and pays for a Saturday delivery option when booking. Saturday delivery is available on selected services and only to eligible postcodes within Parcelforce’s network. If Saturday delivery is not selected at booking, the parcel will be scheduled for the next working day, usually Monday.
Saturday delivery is particularly useful for:
- E-commerce businesses fulfilling weekend customer orders
- Sending time-sensitive business documents or contracts
- Delivering perishable or fragile goods
- Personal deliveries such as birthday gifts or holiday parcels
It is important to understand the conditions and make sure you select the Saturday option during booking if you want weekend delivery.
Which Parcelforce Services Include Saturday Delivery?
Not all Parcelforce services include Saturday delivery. The availability of Saturday delivery depends on the type of service you choose. Below is an overview of the main services:
| Service | Saturday Availability | Estimated Delivery Time |
| Express24 | Yes | Next Day by 1:00 PM |
| Express AM | Yes | Next Day by 9:00 AM or 12 PM |
| Express PM | Limited Postcodes | By end of day |
| Express48 | No | Weekday delivery only |
It is essential to tick the Saturday delivery box when booking; otherwise, your parcel will not be delivered on Saturday, even if you are using an eligible service.
How Much Does Parcelforce Saturday Delivery Cost?
Parcelforce applies a Saturday delivery surcharge in addition to the base shipping fee. The surcharge varies depending on whether you are a personal sender or an account customer.
| Customer Type | Saturday Surcharge | Notes |
| Non-account customer | £9.00 | Added during online or Post Office booking |
| Business account holder | Varies (per account terms) | Refer to business account agreements |
| Rebooking missed delivery | £12.00 | Paid at local depot or via online request |
It is crucial to understand these costs in advance and ensure you have paid the surcharge when you book the delivery to avoid disappointment.
How Do You Book Parcelforce Saturday Delivery?
Booking a Saturday delivery with Parcelforce is straightforward but requires careful attention to ensure you select the correct options.
Booking process:
- Visit Parcelforce’s official website or use an authorised booking partner.
- Enter parcel details, including weight, dimensions, and destination.
- Select an eligible service, such as Express24 or Express AM.
- Tick the “Saturday delivery” option at checkout.
- Pay the applicable surcharge (£9.00 for non-account users).
- Confirm collection or choose a drop-off point.
Important booking tips:
- Parcels must be booked before midday on Friday to qualify for Saturday delivery.
- Confirm that the recipient’s postcode is within the eligible Saturday delivery zone.
- If booking from a business account, refer to the Account Customer Guide for cut-off times and service conditions.
What Happens If Parcelforce Misses a Saturday Delivery?
If Parcelforce attempts a Saturday delivery but the recipient is unavailable, the following applies:
- Parcelforce will attempt up to three deliveries.
- If the parcel remains undelivered after three attempts, it will be held at the local depot.
- Customers can request redelivery on another Saturday, but they must pay a £12.00 rebooking fee.
The redelivery request can be made online via Parcelforce’s Receiving a Parcel page, after which the local depot will arrange payment and delivery.
Is Saturday Delivery Available in All UK Locations?
No, Saturday delivery is not universally available across all UK postcodes. Parcelforce operates a postcode zoning system, and certain rural, remote, and island areas have limited or no Saturday service.
What Are the Postcode Exceptions for Parcelforce Services?
Here is a selection of postcode areas with limited services and their earliest available delivery windows:
| Postcode Areas (sample) | Earliest Service Available | Estimated Delivery Time |
| AB10–16, AB21–25 | Express AM | By 12 noon next working day |
| DG1–6 | Express AM | By 12 noon next working day |
| EX16–23, EX31–39 | Express PM | By end of day next working day |
| IV4–9, IV63 | Express48 | Within 2 working days |
| KW15–17 | Express48Large | 4–5 working days |
| ZE1–3 | Express48Large | 4 working days |
Senders are advised to use Parcelforce’s postcode checker or contact customer support to confirm Saturday service availability before booking.
How Are Parcels Handled for Saturday Delivery?
Parcels that arrive at Parcelforce depots by Friday night or Saturday morning are processed and loaded onto Saturday delivery vehicles if the Saturday delivery fee has been paid. Parcels not upgraded for Saturday delivery are held until Monday.
| Delivery Condition | Handling Procedure |
| Saturday delivery selected | Dispatched on Saturday (7:00 AM–2:00 PM) |
| No Saturday upgrade | Held for Monday delivery |
| Friday night intake | Routed based on paid service |
How Does Parcelforce Compare with Other UK Weekend Couriers?
Here is a comparison of Parcelforce against other major UK couriers offering weekend delivery:
| Courier | Saturday Delivery | Delivery Window | Notes |
| Parcelforce | Yes | 7:00 AM–2:00 PM | £9 surcharge, wide national coverage |
| Royal Mail | Yes (Special Delivery) | By 1:00 PM | From £11.50 per item |
| DPD | Limited Areas | 8:00 AM–6:00 PM | Availability depends on postcode |
| DHL | Business Only | Business hours | Available for account holders only |
| Evri (Hermes) | No | N/A | No Saturday service for standard users |
Parcelforce is known for its reliable tracking, flexible services for business customers, and wide UK network, making it a popular weekend courier option.
Is Parcelforce Saturday Delivery Worth It?
For senders who need parcels to arrive over the weekend, Parcelforce Saturday delivery is often worth the extra cost.
- For businesses, it supports faster fulfilment, improves customer satisfaction, and enables weekend operations.
- For individuals, it ensures that gifts, important documents, or essential deliveries arrive on time, especially during busy periods or holidays.
The surcharge is competitive compared to other major UK couriers, and Parcelforce’s reputation for reliability adds value to the service.
What Does the Parcelforce Saturday Delivery Schedule Look Like?
| Service Type | Available on Saturday | Delivery Window | Surcharge |
| Express24 | Yes | By 1:00 PM | £9.00 |
| Express AM | Yes | By 9:00 AM or 12 PM | £14–£16 |
| Express PM | Limited Postcodes | By end of day | Varies |
| Express48 | No | Weekday only | N/A |
Always check destination postcode availability before booking to avoid disappointment.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Parcelforce offers reliable Saturday delivery across much of the UK through selected services like Express24 and Express AM.
While this option comes with additional costs and postcode restrictions, it provides businesses and individuals with a valuable solution for urgent or time-sensitive deliveries.
By understanding the services, costs, and booking requirements, senders can confidently plan weekend shipments. For those needing reliable weekend delivery, Parcelforce remains a trusted and competitive choice within the UK courier market.
FAQs About Parcelforce Saturday Delivery
Can I upgrade my Parcelforce delivery to Saturday after booking?
Yes, Parcelforce allows some flexibility for upgrading to Saturday delivery if the parcel hasn’t been dispatched, but it’s best to contact customer service promptly.
Is Parcelforce Saturday delivery available for international shipments?
Parcelforce Saturday delivery is mainly for UK domestic services; international deliveries follow different schedules and typically do not offer Saturday guarantees.
What happens if Parcelforce misses a Saturday delivery?
If Parcelforce fails to deliver on a guaranteed Saturday service, customers may be eligible for a refund or compensation, depending on the service terms.
Are Parcelforce Saturday deliveries carbon-neutral or eco-friendly?
Parcelforce has initiatives to offset carbon emissions, but Saturday deliveries use the same transport networks as regular services, so check their sustainability policies for details.
Do I need to sign for Parcelforce Saturday deliveries?
Many Parcelforce Saturday deliveries require a signature, though some services allow safe-place instructions or contactless delivery depending on the parcel type.
Can businesses set up regular Saturday deliveries with Parcelforce?
Yes, business accounts with Parcelforce can arrange regular Saturday delivery services, often with negotiated rates and dedicated account support.
How do I contact Parcelforce if there’s an issue with my Saturday delivery?
You can reach Parcelforce customer service through their helpline, online chat, or local depot, with extended support hours on weekends for urgent queries.
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