Why is this important?
You’ve received a ‘something for you’ card from Royal Mail
If you’re not in when the postman tries to deliver a large item or a letter requiring a signature, you should receive a ‘something for you’ card. This is a standard form, called P739. It explains why the item could not be delivered and how you can arrange to collect your mail or have it re-delivered. They are sometimes referred to as a ‘sorry you were out’ card.
A ‘something for you’ card should only be left if the postman has tried to deliver the mail. It is unacceptable for postman to leave the card without first trying to deliver the mail, for example by knocking on your door or ringing the doorbell.
This page explains what you should do if you receive a ‘something for you’ card, and the steps you should take if you think a card was left when you were at home.
How can you arrange to get your mail?
The ‘something for you’ card should contain the following information:
- the time and date of the attempted delivery
- who the mail was for and their address
- the reason for the card being left, for example the letter required a signature or it was too big for your letterbox
- postage rate: Special Delivery, Recorded Delivery or Tracked
- the reference number (where applicable)
- item type: parcel, packet, catalogue or letter
- other details about the item if it is a perishable, international or large item
- the number or name of the delivery person
- the delivery office where the parcel can be collected and when it can be collected
Once you have received a ‘something for you’ card, you can:
- call the local delivery office to arrange to have it re-delivered in 48 hours
- take the card and proof of your identity to the delivery sorting office to collect it
- arrange to pick it up from your local post office for a small fee
Acceptable proof of identity includes a bank card, bank or building society book, valid passport, driving licence, photo identity card or Under 18s identity card.
Your mail will be kept for 18 days after the attempted delivery. If you do not collect it or ask for it to be redelivered during this time, it will be returned to the sender.
What should you do if you received a card but you were in at the time?
‘Something for you’ cards should only be left after delivery of the mail item has been attempted. It is unacceptable for a card to be left without attempting delivery of the mail item.
If this happens to you, you should complain to Royal Mail.
Next steps
Other useful information
- More information and help with ‘something for you’ cards from www.royalmail.com.