The Royal Mail has introduced an online service for customers to purchase first-class, second-class and international postage over the internet.
Customers can pay for their postage by credit or debit card and receive a printed barcode unique to each item of mail that replaces the traditional stamp.
The barcode is printed out, attached to the item to be posted and then scanned at the distribution centre to ensure the correct postage has been paid.
Royal Mail says the scheme would improve choice for customers and cut post office queues as the service is available 24 hours a day.
To use the online service, customers must log in and can make secure payments using a prepay account, credit card or debit card for purchases over £3.50.
Customers can calculate the cost of postage required by using the Royal Mail’s recently upgraded online calculator, which takes into account recent changes that determines cost based on the size and weight of post.
Royal Mail is banking on the growing take-up of broadband internet connections to ensure the service has mass appeal.
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