Mailing bags packaging guide
What is a jiffy bag?
Jiffy bag is the name given to any kind of mailing envelope with some form of cushioning as a liner. They have a very strong pure Kraft paper outer and a lining of macerated paper fibres.
Jiffy bag remains the only truly eco-friendly postal bag as it is easily reusable and recyclable.
Jiffy bag sizes
| Airkraft | Mailmiser | Internal size | External size | PIP | Suggested use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AK000 | MM000 | 90 x 145mm | 120 x 160mm | Large letter | A7 jewellery |
| AK00 | MM000 | 115 x 195mm | 145 x 210mm | Large letter | A6 floppy disks |
| AK0 | MM0 | 140 x 195mm | 170 x 210mm | Large letter | CDs |
| AK1 | MM1 | 170 x 245mm | 200 x 260mm | Large letter | A5, videos, DVDs |
| AK2 | MM2 | 205 x 245mm | 235 x 260mm | Large letter | Small gifts |
| AK3 | MM3 | 220 x 320mm | 250 x 335mm | Large letter | Desk diary |
| AK4 | MM4 | 240 x 320mm | 270 x 335mm | Packet | A4 brochures |
| AK5 | MM5 | 260 x 345mm | 290 x 360mm | Packet | Books, 2 DVDs |
| AK6 | MM6 | 290 x 445mm | 320 x 460mm | Packet | Shirts, clothes |
| AK7 | MM7 | 340 x 445mm | 370 x 540mm | Packet | A3 |
| Padded bags | Internal size | External size | PIP | Suggested use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PB00 | 105 x 229mm | 120 x 254mm | Large letter | A6, audio tapes |
| PB0 | 135 x 229mm | 150 x 254mm | Large letter | |
| PB1 | 165 x 280mm | 180 x 305mm | Large letter | A5, CDs, videos |
| PB2 | 195 x 280mm | 210 x 305mm | Large letter | |
| PB3 | 195 x 343mm | 210 x 368mm | Large letter | |
| PB4 | 225 x 343mm | 241 x 368mm | Large letter | A4 |
| PB5 | 245 x 381mm | 260 x 406mm | Packet | |
| PB6 | 295 x 458mm | 310 x 483mm | Packet | |
| PB7 | 341 x 483mm | 356 x 508mm | Packet | A3 |
| PB8 | 442 x 661mm | 457 x 686mm | Packet | A2 |
Royal Mail PIP guidelines
- Our mailing bags comply with Royal Mail pricing in proportion guidelines. The following table shows Royal Mail pricing in proportion requirements, limitations and details for each option.
| PIP Size | Max length | Max width | Max depth | Max weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Letter | 240 mm | 165 mm | 5 mm | 0.1 kg |
| Large letter | 353 mm | 250 mm | 25 mm | 0.75 kg |
| Small parcel | 450 mm | 350 mm | 160 mm | 2 kg |
| Medium parcel | 610 mm | 460 mm | 460 mm | 20 kg |
| Large parcel | 610 mm | 460 mm | 460 mm | 30 kg |
Rolls and postal tube shaped items
For rolls and postal tube shaped items, the length of the item plus twice the diameter must not exceed 104cm. The greatest dimension (either the length or diameter) must be no greater than 90cm.Jiffy bag questions
How do I work out if my box will fit in the jiffy bag?
Take a soft tape measure and wrap it round your box in both directions. Halve these measurements to give the basic bag dimensions. Find the nearest jiffy bag size that will take this size plus a bit for packing.Are slim hard backed books suitable for jiffy bag?
Hardback books will suffer from depression on the corners whilst being otherwise fine. Slim book are suitable for jiffy bags.Can I send large bolts and nuts through the post in jiffy padded bags?
Yes, pack the items tightly together.Can I send china mugs in jiffy padded bags?
No, use cardboard boxes.Are jiffy padded bags recycled?
The lining of jiffy padded bags is made entirely of recycled paper fibres. The outer of the bag is made of pure kraft paper from sustainable forests. The padded bag is totally recyclable as it is all paper.
Mailing bags packaging guide last updated: May-2023
