An introduction to ClearSend®

This article will explain what ClearSend® is, how it works, and how to access the postage data.

What is ClearSend®?

ClearSend® gives you certified proof of postage and tracking through the Royal Mail network, at no extra cost.

This means, in addition to tracking your letter through Postworks process, you can now see where your letter is in the Royal Mail network.

Postworks is the only provider to offer this certified proof of postage.

How does it work?

Postworks has developed technology that extracts the address from a document and analyses it against 28 million addresses in the UK, to match it against one. In less than 250 milliseconds.

A barcode is created that connects to Royal Mail's delivery network, giving you unprecedented visibility of letters. Ambiguity about whether an item has been handled by Royal Mail will be removed.

How can I get access to ClearSend® data?

ClearSend® is available to users on our Enterprise plan or above. If you're on this plan, you don't need to do anything differently.

What qualifies for ClearSend® tracking?

Currently only 1st Class items will have ClearSend® data available and we expect to make this available to 2nd Class postage soon.

It takes 2-3 days for Royal Mail to report the postage data back to us so if the data isn't showing right away, please allow a few days for it to show.

Tracked vs. Signed For vs. ClearSend® - the difference

Royal Mail's Tracked 24 or Tracked 48 carry an extra charge and provide tracking through the Royal Mail network through to doorstep delivery (not in the recipient's hand, just confirmation that it's been delivered).

Royal Mail Signed For also carries an extra charge to providing tracking through the network and confirmation that it has been handed to a person.

ClearSend® carries no extra cost and provides tracking through the Royal Mail network.