Alternative UK postal services
The UK postal market was opened up to competition in 2003, ending Royal Mail's 350 year monopoly, so for certain types of mail it is now possible to make considerable postage savings using what are known as Downstream Access postal services (DSA).
We have developed our own DownStream access solution with sorted Downstream Access and unsorted Downstream Access mailing options. Our Downstream Access solution can be up to 10% cheaper than Royal Mail's equivalent service.
We can also fulfill mailings for clients that have their own DSA agreements with the likes of:
- DHL
- UK Mail
- TNT
- DX
- Secured Mail etc.
As well as many UK companies we also work with international businesses looking to inject mail into the UK postal network and achieve postage discounts through DownStream Access.
Want a UK postage estimate?
Simply send us the following details about your UK mailing:
- Size
- Dimensions
- Quantity
- Frequency i.e. weekly, monthly, one off etc
- Fulfillment requirements i.e. printing, addressing, enveloping, polywrapping, pick and pack etc.
For a more detailed pricing analysis please send us the mailing list. If you have high concentrations of mail to be sent to particular cities we may be able to offer further savings.
About DownStream Access (DSA) postage services
To encourage competition Postcomm has enforced Royal Mail to allow other operators access to their network of delivery offices for the 'final mile' of delivery. This is commonly termed "downstream access" and BTB Mailflight have developed our own DownStream Access Solution.
The mail is still hand delivered by Royal Mail's postmen and women, but instead of Royal Mail collecting the mail from us and undertaking the sortation themselves it is delivered into the local Royal Mail delivery offices by DHL (our haulage partner) after we have already sorted it.
This is how we save you money! In partnership with DHL we are able to undertake the processes up to the 'final mile' cheaper than Royal Mail can, so we can pass these cost savings on to you.
Several well known companies regularly use our postal service, and have made savings worth thousands of pounds. This includes:
- Harrods
- Laura Ashley
- Kuoni
- Boden
Other benefits of DSA
It's not just about cheaper UK postage. DownStream Access also provides:
- Guaranteed 2 day delivery time (that’s faster than Royal Mail Mailsort 2!).
- Flexible pick up times.
- Each bag is sorted and tracked (not caged) so there is no risk of missrouting due to poor cage sortation.
- Proof of Delivery (POD) is available online.
- Excellent account management.
- Significant cost savings - save up to 10%! (sometimes it can even compete against Mailsort 3!).
To be able to access these services there are strict criteria which we must follow when we produce, sort, and bag the mail, and it is only suitable to certain size, weight, and volumes of mail, but the cost savings can be substantial!
The processes involved require sophisticated data processing capabilities, up-to-date production facilities, modern addressing, technology, sortation expertise, and a vast network of logistics partners, as well as experienced and knowledgeable account managers. This is why BTB Mailflight are one of the first mailing houses able to offer Downstream Access postal services.