Royal Mail OBA A quick guide

If selling on channels other than OOS you will need to print out the correct PPI (Printed Postage Impression) and place on the item For shops using the code STL: 1 st and 2 nd Class PPI. These can found on the intranet following the link below and printed on Gift Aid stickers. For high volume shops ONLY ( Shops sending more than 1000 items per year) and using the code CRL: 24 and 48 PPI labels should be used for normal post, available by following the link below For Special delivery and overseas use 1 st Class PPI (as above)

INITIAL SET UP Before using you will receive an from R.M. Which contains a log-in code. Royal Mail OBA log in page At the top of this page on the right hand side it says, “Register” Check the box, “Business” Follow the instructions carefully and copy and paste the Royal Mail password Your log in password needs to be simple and memorable Once set up, you can then log in LOG IN AND CREATE AN ORDER Click log in Enter address and password Click “Business Account” top right Click bar “Access Online Business Account”

Click – “Your Accounts”

Click, “Create new order”

Insert branch no. and name Insert product code (see next slide) Update order

Separate your post into product groups, STL, OLA and SD1(see above) Each group needs a new entry on OBA STL works on average weights – sort items into these groups: Large letters – up to 1Kg, 2 nd class Large letters – 1Kg to 2Kg, 1 st class Packets - up to 1Kg, 2 nd class Packets - 1Kg to 2Kg, 1 st class and into differing cost Codes – JOS-Oxfam online, JAM-Amazon, JEB-eBay, JAB-ABE OLA also works on average weights – sort items into these groups: Printed Papers – Small Packets } Europe Printed Papers - Small Packets } ROW (Rest of the world) Printed Papers – Small Packets } Forces (BFPO address) and into differing cost Codes – JOS-Oxfam online, JAM-Amazon, JEB-eBay, JAB-ABE FOR OVERSEAS (OLA) ALWAYS - Replace 2 nd class stamp with 1 st class SD1 works on weight groups, 1-100g, g, 501-1kg, 1Kg-2kg, 2kg-10kg and differing cost codes – JOS-Oxfam online, JAM-Amazon, JEB-eBay, JAB-ABE FOR SPECIAL DELIVERY(SD1) ALWAYS - Replace 2 nd class stamp with 1 st class Each of the above groups require a separate entry on the order as does each cost centre

All PostOOS 1 st Class Large Letters STL 1 st Class Packets STLSpecial Delivery SD1 2 nd class large lettersSTL2 nd class packetsSTLSmall Packets EUOLA Printed Papers EU OLA Small Packets ROW OLA Printed Papers ROW OLAABEeBayAmazonShop post This is a flow chart dealing with OOS only. This is an extreme case but covers every separate line of code you would need (excluding letters and BFPO) This would be repeated on the Other channels too!

Each product will need the correct PPI (Printed Postage Impression) attached to the parcel All shops using the STL code For standard post use 1 st and 2 nd class PPI available on KARL For Special Delivery use 1 st class PP1, Special Delivery pad (P6565) and Special Delivery labels (P6396/500) For recorded signed for use 1 st class PP1, Recorded delivery pad (P1038) and recorded labels (P2223/500) For overseas post use 1 st class PPI, Airmail sticker and for countries outside the EU - CN22 Customs labels (CN22/250) Shops using the CRL code: for standard 1 st class use the CRL 1 st class (24) PPI. All other post, as above. N.B. Items sold on OOS can retain the default PPI :- * Items P6565, P6396/500, P1038, P2223/500, CN22/250, Airmail stickers and Grey Royal Mail sacks are available under order mail supplies on the OBA site

After adding your product code (in this example, STL) click Update Order, you now need to input the details for this product. Click details. Weigh all the parcels in the product group. Divide the total weight by the quantity of parcels e.g. 3 small packets weighing a total of 1870g = an average of 623g 1870 divided by 3 = 623

Insert: 1.class of mailing 2.format, 3.quantity and 4. average weight Then click 5. Accept This will take you back to the main screen

Should you have made an error, you can either remove this selection by ticking the box under the bin 1., and then clicking update order Or you can amend from the details page by selecting Reset on any or all the sections

For overseas the process is the same as STL. Insert code OLA and update order. Here you need To have separated EU printed paper from small packets, ROW printed papers from small Packets and the same with Forces post (BFPO addresses). As with STL, each type requires a separate entry. The example below is for one parcel of printed paper (books, magazines, postcards, ephemera Etc. to go to Europe weighing 700g. Note – for some reason, under format, “Flat” is printed paper!

Special Delivery, SD1, is for valuable items up to £500 (there is also a £1000 option). These are grouped in to the weight bands below. This example shows there are two Special Delivery items in differing weight categories. Special Delivery items need a blue sticker with barcode and ID number on the top left corner. The stickers are also stuck in the Special Delivery log book (order from Royal Mail Supplies )Royal Mail Supplies The customer address is entered with cost centre and branch number.

So, our test order looks like this Now add the cost centres. Click the + expand on each line

Click on the dropdown box to open out the cost centres. These are; JAB – ABE JAM – Amazon JEB – eBay JOS – Oxfam Online Shop Other shop post Each line requires a cost centre attributing to it.

You can now confirm and print your order. Take the printed slip with your parcels to the post office or sorting office. Any Special Delivery packets need to be accompanied by the Special Delivery book and needs to be signed by the receiving Royal Mail or Post office worker.

What happens if I make a mistake? If you make a mistake at line item on a Saved Order… …you can delete the relevant product line item by clicking on the ‘bin’ icon and then clicking on ‘Update’. You can now add a new line item with the correct details. If you make a mistake on a whole Saved Order… …you can delete line items on a saved order by searching for the order using the ‘Search’ function and checking the ‘bin’ icon. Remember to then click on ‘Update’. You can now add a new order containing correct details and save. If you make a mistake on a Confirmed Sales Order…. …call Royal Mail* on within 24 hours of creating the order. They will make an adjustment on your behalf. *Please note, for security reasons this must be the person who created the order.

What can I do if I can’t access my OBA? If you cannot access your Online Business Account, there are a couple of things to check first: Please check you have not logged off of the Internet. Ensure the address and password you are using are both correct. If you still can’t access OBA... Call Royal Mail on and they will create an order on your behalf. Please note, you can use an ‘Order Generator’ in excel to create a CSV file which can be uploaded into OBA without you needing to complete the order in OBA ‘Create New Order’. To access this and other instructions, visit or access via the FAQ section in OBA. OBA Help Line Whilst signed in to OBA, click on the ‘Help Centre’ link in the top right hand corner or type into your browser window. At the Help Centre you will find extensive online help, as well as useful FAQs and a Glossary of key terms.