Royal Mail’s D+3 Service

What’s Changing in 2025

In response to declining letter volumes and rising operational costs, Royal Mail is introducing significant changes to its delivery model in 2025. Central to these reforms is the rollout of a new second-class service known as D+3, which aims to deliver letters within three working days of posting.

Key Changes to the D+3 Service

Alternate-Day Delivery: Second-class letters under the D+3 service will now be delivered on alternate weekdays, following a two-week rotating schedule.

No Saturday Deliveries: Saturday delivery for second-class mail will be discontinued.

First-Class Mail Unchanged: First-class letters will continue to be delivered six days a week, maintaining priority service at a premium cost.

Why the Change?

Royal Mail has seen a dramatic drop in letter volumes—from 20 billion annually at their peak to just 6.7 billion in recent years, with projections suggesting a further decline to 4 billion by 2028. At the same time, the number of delivery addresses has grown by four million over the past two decades. This imbalance has contributed to a £348 million operating loss in 2023/24.

Impact on Businesses and Consumers

For businesses that rely on regular mailings, the new schedule may require more strategic planning. Missing a delivery window could mean waiting several extra days. However, the shift may also encourage more structured and efficient mailing practices.

Consumers and businesses needing faster or more predictable delivery can still opt for first-class services, which remain unaffected by these changes.