How are D+3 Letters being delivered?

The Access D+3 service went live on 28 July 2025 pursuant to Access Letters Contract Change Notice 114, becoming the new Standard service (previously the D+2 service).

From this date, we have changed the operational algorithm to enable deferral of D+3 Letters (see the position in respect of Large Letters below). The algorithm, which is applied on a national basis, mirrors the algorithm deployed against our Economy (D+5) service, and determines when D+3 Letters are due for delivery (i.e. on a “by D+3” basis).

In practice this means that a Standard (D+3) Letter will be delivered on D+3 unless we are already due to go to that address with another item due for delivery on D+2 (e.g. 1^st Class or Access Priority (D+2) or time expiring D+3 or D+5 item (referred to as a ‘coincidental item’).

For example, for a D+3 Letter handed over to a mail centre on a Monday, we will process the mail on that same day (i.e. D+1). The algorithm will then determine if there is an item of mail due for delivery to an address on the Tuesday in which case the D+3 Letter will be delivered on Tuesday (D+2). If there is no item on D+2, the D+3 Letter will be delivered on Wednesday (D+3).

We were told 50% of D+3 mail will be delivered on D+2 and 50% on D+3. Is this correct?

Broadly speaking this is correct, although we will not be able to measure against this until we have a full period of D+3 quality of service results which is expected for August and will be reported in early September. On any particular weekday there will be a number of items that need to be delivered, including D+3 items that were not able to be delivered on D+2. 

Why is Royal Mail not deferring D+3 Large Letters from 28 July 2025?

The D+3 algorithm, which is only applied to mail processed on our letter sequencing machines at mail centres, only defers Letters.

Large Letters are not processed on letters sequencing machines and will only be deferred once we roll out the new ways of working in our delivery offices (see question below regarding roll out). Until we do so, we will continue to deliver Large Letters posted as D+3 on a D+2 basis.

When will Royal Mail be rolling out the changes to its operations?

While there are certain changes to the products and services we offer from 28th July, it will take time to roll out the new ways of working in our operations, via agreed processes and in conjunction with our trade unions.

We will keep Access customers up to date as and when we have new information to share.

When will Saturday delivery be withdrawn for Access D+3 and Access D+5 services?

At present Saturday is still classed as a delivery day for all Access mail. We will continue to deliver on Saturdays for D+3 and D+5 services until at least 23 September 2025, except at the small number of pilot sites that are testing the alternate day delivery model. 

What if I want to post on the D+2 service from 28 July 2025?

To post on the D+2 service you will need to upload against the new product codes which became live on 2 June 2025.

From 25 August 2025, you will also need to ensure that you apply the class identifier “1” on your D+2 mailing item. The full technical specification for the D+2 service can be found here.  

The new pricing for the D+2 service can be found here.

How will you be measuring D+2 and D+3 Quality of Service?

With the D+3 service becoming the “Standard” service from 28 July, the existing Standard (D+2) quality survey will automatically migrate to become the D+3 quality survey.  To accommodate this, the current D+2 quality measure ceased on 27 July and the D+3 quality measure commenced on 28 July.

Acknowledging that this transition falls part way through a monthly and quarterly period, the monthly and quarterly quality of service reports will be split into pre- and post-28 July data to reflect the change:

• Period 4 monthly report will include only the D+2 performance up to 27 July, which will necessitate it being a slightly shorter period than a normal Period 4 (4 weeks rather than 5)
• Period 5 monthly report will include the D+3 performance from 28 July to 31 August, which will necessitate it being a slightly longer period than a normal Period 5 (5 weeks rather than 4)

Please note that the customer quality reporting dashboards provided by Spectos (the independent research company which manages Royal Mail’s quality of service surveys) will be updated to align with the reporting schedule outlined above. The portal will also be amended to distinguish between the three surveys we will now have – D+2, D+3 and D+5.

A new quality survey will be set up for the D+2 service and Spectos is recruiting panellists to participate in the new survey.

It is important that Access contract holders participate in this new survey as early as possible. This will provide the best opportunity for building up a robust sample base and enabling the most statistically valid survey after the Access Condition changes.

If you are interested in participating, you should let your Account Director know promptly and they will take the action necessary to trigger the onboarding process.

How will you be measuring the Economy D+5 Quality of Service?

Until 23 September, the Economy (D+5) service is still contractually due for delivery on Monday to Saturday. Therefore, until 22 September, we will continue to measure D+5 Quality of Service as we do today, where Saturday counts as a delivery day.

From 23 September we will update the D+5 Quality of Service survey to align to the new regulatory and contractual conditions where Saturday no longer counts as a delivery day.