Royal Mail Tracked 48 vs Signed For vs Special Delivery
Compare Royal Mail tracking, signatures, delivery aims and compensation. Dated UK consumer postage examples and a practical service checklist.
Quick answer
Tracked 48 provides tracking to delivery; a signature is an optional variant. Signed For adds a delivery signature and confirmation to a standard service, rather than full journey tracking. Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm combines full tracking and a signature with a conditional delivery guarantee. Choose using contents, value and deadline as well as postage price.
This compares UK consumer services checked on 12 October 2026. Signed For examples below use 2nd Class; Special Delivery means the by-1pm service. Account, international and marketplace-label terms can differ.
The service differences at a glance
Tracking, a signature and compensation serve different purposes. A signature records acceptance; it does not automatically provide full journey tracking or cover every item. A delivery aim is different from a guaranteed service with conditions.
| Service | Delivery information | Timing | Included cover limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tracked 48 | Tracking and delivery photo; signature option | 2–3 working-day aim; postcode exceptions | Up to £75 |
| Signed For 2nd Class | Delivery confirmation and signature | 2–3 working-day aim | Up to £20 |
| Special Delivery by 1pm | Full tracking, photo and signature | Next working day by 1pm, subject to conditions | Up to £750 |
A worked price comparison
For a 1 kg packaged item measuring 30 × 20 × 10 cm, the checked online prices are £3.75 for Tracked 48, £6.00 for Signed For 2nd Class and £11.95 for Special Delivery by 1pm with the base cover level. These are different services, not interchangeable guarantees. Confirm the final price before booking.
For a £50 ordinary item eligible for cover, Signed For’s £20 ceiling leaves part of its value outside the stated limit. For a £500 eligible item, neither that ceiling nor Tracked 48’s £75 ceiling covers the full value. These examples compare limits, not promised claim payments.
| Service | Base postage | What to check next |
|---|---|---|
| Tracked 48 | £3.75 | Signature option and eligible contents |
| Signed For 2nd Class | £6.00 | Whether a signature alone meets the need |
| Special Delivery by 1pm | £11.95 | Cut-off, postcode and cover conditions |
A deadline needs more than a service name
Special Delivery’s guarantee depends on acceptance cut-offs and destination exceptions. Royal Mail says home collection adds an extra working day to this guarantee. Saturday Guaranteed is a separate paid option. Check the branch’s latest acceptance time and destination before planning around a deadline.
For a time-critical document, also check whether the recipient needs the original, whether someone can accept delivery, and whether proof of posting is required for your own records. A postal delivery record is not automatically proof that every legal or administrative deadline has been met.
Check contents and claims before posting
Money and jewellery are excluded from Tracked 48 and Signed For compensation; use the carrier’s valuables guidance when comparing Special Delivery. Compensation is conditional and generally limited by the item’s value as well as the service ceiling. Packaging, evidence and claim time limits matter.
Keep the receipt, proof of posting, item-value evidence and relevant correspondence. If an item is delayed or missing, follow the service-specific claims process; do not assume all services use the same waiting period.
- Measure and weigh the sealed package.
- Confirm contents are permitted and eligible for cover.
- Decide whether you need tracking, a signature, a deadline guarantee or a combination.
- Compare the final total including collection, signature and extra cover.
- Keep the booking details and proof of posting.
Sources and worked-example method
Checked 12 October 2026. Examples are explicitly illustrative unless marked as dated provider prices. Confirm your supplier, contract or scheme terms before acting.
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