Before you take a parcel to the Post Office, try this free and easy price check

Sending a birthday present, online marketplace sale or forgotten holiday item can cost more than expected, particularly if you automatically use the same parcel service every time.

But before heading to the Post Office or booking directly with a familiar courier, shoppers can carry out a quick online parcel price check that compares several delivery companies in one place.

Parcel2Go allows users to enter the collection and delivery postcodes, followed by the parcel’s weight and dimensions. The comparison tool then displays suitable courier services, their expected delivery times and how much each option costs.

The process takes only a matter of moments, but the results may contain a service or courier the sender had not considered.

That could be useful for anyone sending clothes sold through eBay, Etsy or another marketplace, as well as people posting presents, returning larger purchases or getting an important item to a relative.

Rather than assuming the Post Office, Royal Mail or a particular courier will provide the lowest price, senders can compare the available parcel quotes before deciding where to spend their money.

The cheapest option will not be the same for everyone. Prices can vary according to the parcel’s weight and dimensions, the distance it must travel, the speed of delivery and whether the sender chooses collection or a local drop-off point.

Some services may also include tracking or a level of parcel protection, while others charge extra for additional cover. That means shoppers should compare the complete service rather than selecting the lowest number on the screen without checking what is included.

Parcel2Go works with delivery companies including Evri, Royal Mail, UPS and Yodel, placing their eligible services alongside one another. Results can be filtered according to factors such as price and delivery speed.

This could prevent users from opening several courier websites, entering the same details repeatedly and trying to remember which quote included which features.

The courier comparison tool may be particularly relevant to occasional online sellers. Postage can quickly eat into the money made from selling unwanted clothes, electronics or household items, especially when the delivery cost was only estimated in the original listing.

Regular sellers can also use Parcel2Go’s free Smart Send service, which is designed to connect with online selling platforms and import order information. Users can compare eligible couriers, book deliveries, print several labels and monitor parcels through one dashboard.

There is no requirement to run a full-time business or commit to sending a minimum number of parcels, so the service could also suit someone clearing out a wardrobe or gradually selling unwanted belongings.

However, accurate measurements are essential. Courier charges are calculated using the dimensions and weight entered during booking, and a parcel that is larger or heavier than declared could result in an additional fee.

Senders should measure the package after it has been completely wrapped rather than relying on the dimensions of the item inside. Protruding handles, extra padding and an oversized box can all alter the final measurements.

Choosing suitable packaging is equally important. A strong box, secure tape and enough internal padding to stop the contents moving can help reduce the risk of damage during sorting and transport.

Anyone sending fragile, valuable or unusual goods should also check the courier’s prohibited and restricted-item rules, along with the conditions attached to any protection cover. An item being accepted for transport does not necessarily mean it is covered against every type of loss or damage.

International deliveries require additional care, as customs information may be needed and the recipient could face local taxes or handling charges depending on the destination and contents.

For an ordinary UK parcel, however, the initial comparison is straightforward. Users provide a few basic details, inspect the available services and choose whether they would prefer a courier collection or to leave the package at a nearby drop-off location.

There is no guarantee that the same company will come out cheapest on every search. A service that offers good value for a lightweight bag of clothing may be less competitive for a heavy box or an urgent next-day delivery.

That is precisely why carrying out a fresh parcel delivery price comparison can be worthwhile rather than relying on the result of a previous booking.

It may not deliver a dramatic saving on every parcel, but checking takes considerably less time than queuing at a counter and discovering the cost only after the item has been weighed.

Before setting off with the next birthday present, marketplace order or family care package, shoppers can enter its measurements online and reveal the available courier prices.