Royal Mail plans to cut compensation limit for 'normal' post Consumer groups said that Royal Mail's existing compensation arrangements are confusing for customers and need bringing up to date. Under current rules, consumers can only receive compensation for first or second class untracked mail that is lost if they have a so-called "certificate of posting." These certificates are free to get from Royal Mail but most customers do not know about them. Without a certificate of posting, people only receive six first-class stamps if their post is lost. Robert Hammond, director of postal policy at Consumer Focus, said that Royal Mail should ditch the need for a certificate after the introduction of the new, lower compensation rate. We believe that as a trade-off for only being entitled to compensation over £20 for tracked mail, customers should no longer have to ask for certificates of posting for first and second class mail. This will help customers avoid disappointment if their first or second class post is lost," said Mr Hammond. A Royal Mail spokesman said that all feedback will be considered as part of the consultation process. As well as changing its compensation arrangements, Royal Mail outlined planned changes to its parcel delivery service. From April next year the group is proposing to slash from 15 to seven the number of weight bands it has for parcels. For the first time it will also launch a second class parcel service for packages weighing up to 20kgs. This service should reduce the cost to consumers of buying goods from websites such as eBay and Amazon. However as part of the changes, customers will no longer be able to send large parcels or packages that weigh over 20kgs through the normal post. Rather, they will have to use Parcelforce Worldwide, the dedicated parcel delivery service owned by Royal Mail. This is more expensive than normal post, but a Royal Mail spokesman said that few very large parcels are sent via normal mail any more. The changes mean that Royal Mail will end its "standard parcels" service, replacing it instead with two parcel categories - "small parcels" and "medium parcels." A spokesman for the postal service said: "The proposals should be easier for consumers to understand and improve choice. They will have the ability for the first time to send parcels between 1kg and 20kg using Royal Mail's 2nd Class service, with the added option to receive a signature on delivery. Consumer Focus said that the changes to the parcel regime will improve clarity for consumers.