{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/postal-services-universal-postal-service-order-2012",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/postal-services-universal-postal-service-order-2012.json",
  "id": "uksi/2012/936",
  "title": "The Postal Services (Universal Postal Service) Order 2012",
  "short_title": "Postal Services (Universal Postal Service) 2012",
  "long_title": "This Order, which comes into force on 1 April 2012, sets out a description of the services that OFCOM consider should be provided in the United Kingdom as a universal postal service, and the standards with which those services are to comply, as required by section 30 of the Postal Services Act 2011 (the “Act”).",
  "citation": "S.I. 2012/936",
  "type": "uksi",
  "year": "2012",
  "number": "936",
  "version": "current",
  "date": "2012-03-26",
  "revised": true,
  "valid_from": "2025-07-28",
  "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
  "unapplied_effects": 0,
  "provisions": [
    {
      "path": "introduction",
      "kind": "introduction",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Introductory text",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/postal-services-universal-postal-service-order-2012/introduction",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "article/1",
      "kind": "article",
      "number": "1",
      "heading": "Citation and commencement",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/postal-services-universal-postal-service-order-2012/article-1",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "article/2",
      "kind": "article",
      "number": "2",
      "heading": "Interpretation",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/postal-services-universal-postal-service-order-2012/article-2",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "article/3",
      "kind": "article",
      "number": "3",
      "heading": "Routing times",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/postal-services-universal-postal-service-order-2012/article-3",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "article/4",
      "kind": "article",
      "number": "4",
      "heading": "Delivery",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/postal-services-universal-postal-service-order-2012/article-4",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "article/5",
      "kind": "article",
      "number": "5",
      "heading": "The universal postal service",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/postal-services-universal-postal-service-order-2012/article-5",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "article/6",
      "kind": "article",
      "number": "6",
      "heading": "Delivery services",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/postal-services-universal-postal-service-order-2012/article-6",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "article/7",
      "kind": "article",
      "number": "7",
      "heading": "Collection services",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/postal-services-universal-postal-service-order-2012/article-7",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "article/8",
      "kind": "article",
      "number": "8",
      "heading": "End-to-end services at affordable prices",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/postal-services-universal-postal-service-order-2012/article-8",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "article/9",
      "kind": "article",
      "number": "9",
      "heading": "Free end-to-end services",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/postal-services-universal-postal-service-order-2012/article-9",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "article/10",
      "kind": "article",
      "number": "10",
      "heading": "Addressee services",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/postal-services-universal-postal-service-order-2012/article-10",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "article/11",
      "kind": "article",
      "number": "11",
      "heading": "Addressee services",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/postal-services-universal-postal-service-order-2012/article-11",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "signature",
      "kind": "signature",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Signature",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/postal-services-universal-postal-service-order-2012/signature",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/1",
      "kind": "schedule",
      "number": "1",
      "heading": "End-to-end services at affordable prices",
      "url": null,
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/1/paragraph/1",
      "kind": "paragraph",
      "number": "1",
      "heading": "Single piece service",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/postal-services-universal-postal-service-order-2012/schedule-1/paragraph-1",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule/1"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/1/paragraph/2",
      "kind": "paragraph",
      "number": "2",
      "heading": "Priority services",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/postal-services-universal-postal-service-order-2012/schedule-1/paragraph-2",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule/1"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/1/paragraph/3",
      "kind": "paragraph",
      "number": "3",
      "heading": "Standard services",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/postal-services-universal-postal-service-order-2012/schedule-1/paragraph-3",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule/1"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/1/paragraph/4",
      "kind": "paragraph",
      "number": "4",
      "heading": "Registered and insured services",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/postal-services-universal-postal-service-order-2012/schedule-1/paragraph-4",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule/1"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/1/paragraph/5",
      "kind": "paragraph",
      "number": "5",
      "heading": "Return to sender services",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/postal-services-universal-postal-service-order-2012/schedule-1/paragraph-5",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule/1"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/1/paragraph/6",
      "kind": "paragraph",
      "number": "6",
      "heading": "Fast outgoing European Union services",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/postal-services-universal-postal-service-order-2012/schedule-1/paragraph-6",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule/1"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/1/paragraph/6A",
      "kind": "paragraph",
      "number": "6A",
      "heading": "Slow outgoing European Union services",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/postal-services-universal-postal-service-order-2012/schedule-1/paragraph-6A",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule/1"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/1/paragraph/7",
      "kind": "paragraph",
      "number": "7",
      "heading": "Fast outgoing rest of world services",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/postal-services-universal-postal-service-order-2012/schedule-1/paragraph-7",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule/1"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/1/paragraph/7A",
      "kind": "paragraph",
      "number": "7A",
      "heading": "Slow outgoing rest of world services",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/postal-services-universal-postal-service-order-2012/schedule-1/paragraph-7A",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule/1"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/1/paragraph/8",
      "kind": "paragraph",
      "number": "8",
      "heading": "Incoming European Union services",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/postal-services-universal-postal-service-order-2012/schedule-1/paragraph-8",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule/1"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/1/paragraph/9",
      "kind": "paragraph",
      "number": "9",
      "heading": "Incoming rest of world services",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/postal-services-universal-postal-service-order-2012/schedule-1/paragraph-9",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule/1"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/2",
      "kind": "schedule",
      "number": "2",
      "heading": "Free end-to-end services",
      "url": null,
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/2/paragraph/1",
      "kind": "paragraph",
      "number": "1",
      "heading": "Legislative petitions and addresses",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/postal-services-universal-postal-service-order-2012/schedule-2/paragraph-1",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule/2"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/2/paragraph/2",
      "kind": "paragraph",
      "number": "2",
      "heading": "Meaning of eligible item in relation to services for blind or partially sighted persons",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/postal-services-universal-postal-service-order-2012/schedule-2/paragraph-2",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule/2"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/2/paragraph/3",
      "kind": "paragraph",
      "number": "3",
      "heading": "Domestic services for blind or partially sighted persons",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/postal-services-universal-postal-service-order-2012/schedule-2/paragraph-3",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule/2"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/2/paragraph/4",
      "kind": "paragraph",
      "number": "4",
      "heading": "International services for blind or partially sighted persons",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/postal-services-universal-postal-service-order-2012/schedule-2/paragraph-4",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule/2"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/2/paragraph/5",
      "kind": "paragraph",
      "number": "5",
      "heading": "Territories",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/postal-services-universal-postal-service-order-2012/schedule-2/paragraph-5",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": "repealed",
      "parent": "schedule/2"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/3",
      "kind": "schedule",
      "number": "3",
      "heading": "Addressee services",
      "url": null,
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/3/paragraph/1",
      "kind": "paragraph",
      "number": "1",
      "heading": "Redirection services",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/postal-services-universal-postal-service-order-2012/schedule-3/paragraph-1",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule/3"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/3/paragraph/2",
      "kind": "paragraph",
      "number": "1",
      "heading": "Poste restante services",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/postal-services-universal-postal-service-order-2012/schedule-3/paragraph-2",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule/3"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/3/paragraph/3",
      "kind": "paragraph",
      "number": "1",
      "heading": "Retention services",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/postal-services-universal-postal-service-order-2012/schedule-3/paragraph-3",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule/3"
    },
    {
      "path": "note",
      "kind": "note",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Explanatory note",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/postal-services-universal-postal-service-order-2012/note",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    }
  ],
  "has_text": true,
  "pdfs": [
    {
      "title": "Printed copy",
      "main": true,
      "language": null,
      "date": "2012-03-29",
      "size": 74978,
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/postal-services-universal-postal-service-order-2012/pdf/uksi_20120936_en.pdf",
      "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2012/936/pdfs/uksi_20120936_en.pdf"
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "made_under": [
    {
      "id": "ukpga/2011/5",
      "title": "Postal Services Act 2011",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/postal-services-act-2011",
      "provisions": [
        "section/30"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "ukpga/2003/21",
      "title": "Communications Act 2003",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/communications-act-2003",
      "provisions": []
    }
  ],
  "changes_made_to": 102,
  "changes_made_to_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/postal-services-universal-postal-service-order-2012/changes.json",
  "changes_made_by": 27,
  "changes_made_by_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/postal-services-universal-postal-service-order-2012/changes/by-it.json",
  "instruments_made_under": 0,
  "instruments_made_under_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/postal-services-universal-postal-service-order-2012/instruments.json",
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2012/936",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-29T01:35:28.959238+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}