Parcel vs. Mail — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 28, 2024
A parcel refers to a package sent through the mail, often larger or bulkier than standard letters; mail encompasses all materials sent via postal services, including parcels, letters, and postcards.
Difference Between Parcel and Mail
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A parcel specifically refers to a package or a wrapped item, typically larger and bulkier, sent through postal or courier services. This could range from a small box of items to large equipment. Whereas, mail is a more inclusive term that refers to all dispatches sent through the postal service, including letters, parcels, magazines, and postcards.
Parcels are usually subject to different handling procedures compared to regular mail due to their size and weight. They often require special packaging and may incur higher postage fees to ensure safe and secure delivery. On the other hand, mail, particularly letters and postcards, involves simpler, more standard handling and postage rates.
When sending a parcel, tracking options and insurance are commonly available, providing senders with security and updates on their shipment's status. Conversely, regular mail, like letters, may not always have tracking unless specified by services like registered or certified mail, which include tracking and delivery confirmation.
Parcels can be both domestic and international, requiring detailed customs declarations for the latter, which specify the contents and value for taxation and regulatory purposes. Mail also shares these requirements when sent internationally but generally involves less detailed scrutiny unless the contents are unusual or require special handling.
The term "parcel" implies a certain physicality and tangibility, suggesting something that can be physically handed off and delivered. Mail, while also tangible, encompasses a broader range of sent materials and can include even digital dispatches in a more modern context.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A package sent through postal or courier services.
Any dispatch sent via postal services, including letters and parcels.
Contents
Usually larger or bulkier items.
Includes letters, postcards, parcels, magazines, etc.
Handling
Often requires special packaging and handling.
Standard handling for letters and smaller items.
Tracking and Insurance
Commonly available for added security.
Available for all types, but more common with parcels.
International Shipping
Requires customs declaration for contents and value.
Requires customs forms, especially for larger items.
Compare with Definitions
Parcel
Subject to customs declarations when sent internationally.
He filled out a detailed customs form for the parcel to clear it without delays.
Dispatches sent via the postal service, including various forms.
She checked her mailbox for any new mail but found only advertisements.
Parcel
Bulkier and larger than standard mail items.
The delivery of the parcel required a signature due to its value.
Includes digital dispatches in modern contexts.
His email provider offered a service to manage digital mail securely.
Parcel
A wrapped package sent through a courier or postal service.
She sent a parcel containing books to her friend overseas.
Can include letters, postcards, and parcels.
His daily mail included a mix of letters, bills, and a small parcel.
Parcel
Requires appropriate packaging to protect its contents.
He used bubble wrap inside the parcel to secure the fragile items.
May offer tracking for certain types, like registered mail.
She sent the contract via registered mail to ensure its arrival.
Parcel
May include tracking and insurance options.
Tracking the parcel online, she noticed it had arrived in the destination city.
Typically involves simpler handling, especially for letters.
The post office processes thousands of pieces of mail each day.
Parcel
An object or collection of objects wrapped in paper in order to be carried or sent by post
A brown paper parcel
A parcel bomb
The lorry was carrying a large number of Royal Mail parcels
The mail or post is a system for physically transporting postcards, letters, and parcels. A postal service can be private or public, though many governments place restrictions on private systems.
Parcel
A quantity or amount of something, especially as dealt with in one commercial transaction
A parcel of shares
Letters and parcels sent by post
I did not receive any mail
Parcel
Make (something) into a parcel by wrapping it
He parcelled up the goods and sent them back
Armour made of metal rings or plates joined together flexibly
A coat of mail
He had a mail shirt
Parcel
Wrap (rope) with strips of tarred canvas, before binding it with yarn as part of a traditional technique to reduce chafing.
Send (a letter or parcel) by post
Three editions were mailed to our members
Parcel
Something wrapped up or packaged; a package.
Clothe or cover with mail
A mailed gauntlet
Parcel
A plot of land, usually a division of a larger area.
Materials, such as letters and packages, handled in a postal system
The volume of mail increases around the holidays.
Parcel
A quantity of merchandise offered for sale.
Postal material for a specific person or organization
Could you pick up my mail at the office?.
Parcel
A group or company; a pack
"this youthful parcel of noble bachelors" (Shakespeare).
Material processed for distribution from a post office at a specified time
Delivered the morning mail around town.
Parcel
To divide into parts and distribute
Parceled out the land to their three children.
A postal system. Used with the, sometimes in the plural
Used the mail to send the supplies.
Advertisements sent through the mails.
Parcel
To make into a parcel; package.
Chiefly British A vehicle by which mail is transported.
Parcel
(Nautical) To wind protective strips of canvas around (rope).
Mail or messages sent electronically; email.
Parcel
A package wrapped for shipment.
I saw a brown paper parcel on my doorstep.
Flexible armor composed of small overlapping metal rings, loops of chain, or scales.
Parcel
An individual consignment of cargo for shipment, regardless of size and form.
The protective covering of certain animals, as the shell of a turtle.
Parcel
An individual item appearing on an invoice or receipt (only in the phrase bill of parcels).
Rent, payment, or tribute.
Parcel
A division of land bought and sold as a unit.
I own a small parcel of land between the refinery and the fish cannery.
To send by a postal system
Mailed the letter yesterday.
Parcel
(obsolete) A group of birds.
To send letters and other material by a postal system.
Parcel
An indiscriminate or indefinite number, measure, or quantity; a collection; a group.
To cover or armor with mail.
Parcel
A small amount of food that has been wrapped up, for example a pastry.
A bag or wallet.
Parcel
A portion of anything taken separately; a fragment of a whole; a part.
A certain piece of land is part and parcel of another piece.
A bag containing letters to be delivered by post.
Parcel
To wrap something up into the form of a package.
The material conveyed by the postal service.
Don't forget to pick up the mail on your way.
Parcel
To wrap a strip around the end of a rope.
Worm and parcel with the lay; turn and serve the other way.
(dated) A stagecoach, train or ship that delivers such post.
Parcel
To divide and distribute by parts or portions; often with out or into.
The postal service or system in general.
He decided to send his declaration by mail.
Parcel
To add a parcel or item to; to itemize.
The letters, parcels, etc. delivered to a particular address or person.
Parcel
(obsolete) Part or half; in part; partially.
(uncountable) Electronic mail, e-mail: a computer network–based service for sending, storing, and forwarding electronic messages.
Parcel
A portion of anything taken separately; a fragment of a whole; a part.
Two parcels of the white of an egg.
The parcels of the nation adopted different forms of self-government.
A trunk, box, or bag, in which clothing, etc., may be carried.
Parcel
A part; a portion; a piece; as, a certain piece of land is part and parcel of another piece.
(uncountable) Armour consisting of metal rings or plates linked together.
Parcel
An indiscriminate or indefinite number, measure, or quantity; a collection; a group.
This youthful parcelOf noble bachelors stand at my disposing.
(nautical) A contrivance of interlinked rings, for rubbing off the loose hemp on lines and white cordage.
Parcel
A number or quantity of things put up together; a bundle; a package; a packet.
'Tis like a parcel sent you by the stage.
Any hard protective covering of an animal, as the scales and plates of reptiles, shell of a lobster, etc.
Parcel
To divide and distribute by parts or portions; - often with out or into.
These ghostly kings would parcel out my power.
The broad woodland parceled into farms.
A spot on a bird's feather; by extension, a spotted feather.
Parcel
To add a parcel or item to; to itemize.
That mine own servant shouldParcel the sum of my disgraces byAddition of his envy.
(historical) An old French coin worth half a denier.
Parcel
To make up into a parcel; as, to parcel a customer's purchases; the machine parcels yarn, wool, etc.
A monetary payment or tribute.
Parcel
Part or half; in part; partially.
The worthy dame was parcel-blind.
One that . . . was parcel-bearded [partially bearded].
Rent.
Parcel
A wrapped container
Tax.
Parcel
The result of parcelling out or sharing;
Death gets more than its share of attention from theologicans
(ditransitive) To send (a letter, parcel, etc.) through the mail.
Parcel
An extended area of land
(ditransitive) To send by electronic mail.
Please mail me the spreadsheet by the end of the day.
Parcel
A collection of things wrapped or boxed together
(transitive) To contact (a person) by electronic mail.
I need to mail my tutor about the deadline.
Parcel
Divide into parts;
The developers parceled the land
(transitive) To arm with mail.
Parcel
Cover with strips of canvas;
Parcel rope
(transitive) To pinion.
Parcel
Make into a wrapped container
A spot.
A small piece of money; especially, an English silver half-penny of the time of Henry V.
Rent; tribute.
A flexible fabric made of metal rings interlinked. It was used especially for defensive armor.
Hence generally, armor, or any defensive covering.
A contrivance of interlinked rings, for rubbing off the loose hemp on lines and white cordage.
Any hard protective covering of an animal, as the scales and plates of reptiles, shell of a lobster, etc.
We . . . strip the lobster of his scarlet mail.
A bag; a wallet.
The bag or bags with the letters, papers, or other matter contained therein, conveyed under public authority from one post office to another; the whole system of appliances used by government in the conveyance and delivery of mail matter.
There is a mail come in to-day, with letters dated Hague.
That which comes in the mail; letters, etc., received through the post office.
A trunk, box, or bag, in which clothing, etc., may be carried.
To arm with mail.
To pinion.
To deliver into the custody of the postoffice officials, or place in a government letter box, for transmission by mail; to post; as, to mail a letter.
The bags of letters and packages that are transported by the postal service
The system whereby messages are transmitted via the post office;
The mail handles billions of items every day
He works for the United States mail service
In England they call mail `the post'
A conveyance that transports mail
Any particular collection of letters or packages that is delivered;
Your mail is on the table
Is there any post for me?
She was opening her post
(Middle Ages) flexible armor made of interlinked metal rings
Send via the postal service;
I'll mail you the check tomorrow
Cause to be directed or transmitted to another place;
Send me your latest results
I'll mail you the paper when it's written
Common Curiosities
How do tracking options differ between parcels and regular mail?
Tracking is more commonly used and sometimes essential for parcels, while it's optional and less common for regular mail like letters.
What is required for sending parcels internationally compared to regular mail?
Both require customs forms when sent internationally, but parcels often need more detailed declarations due to their contents and value.
What types of mail are considered the safest to send sensitive information?
Registered or certified mail, which offers tracking and delivery confirmation, is considered safer for sending sensitive information.
How are parcels handled differently by postal services?
Parcels require more rigorous packaging, handling, and sometimes special transportation due to their size and weight.
What is the main difference between a parcel and mail?
A parcel is a specific type of mail, usually larger and bulkier, while mail includes all items sent through postal services.
Can mail include items other than parcels and letters?
Yes, mail can also include postcards, magazines, catalogs, and promotional materials.
Are parcels more expensive to send than regular mail?
Generally, yes, due to their size, weight, and the need for special handling and packaging.
Is it possible to track a regular letter?
Yes, if the letter is sent via services like registered or certified mail which include tracking.
What impact has digital communication had on traditional mail services?
While it has decreased the volume of personal letters, it has increased parcel shipping due to online shopping, and services have adapted to include digital mail management.
Can you send a parcel without going to a postal office?
Yes, many courier services offer pickup services for parcels, and some postal services allow online postage purchasing and scheduling.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
