Exploring the Difference Between Speed Post and Registered Post
When sending packages or important documents, people often resort to speed posts or registered posts for their delivery needs. These are the most popular shipping options offered by India Post, facilitating deliveries all across India.
Now comes the question: which one should you choose? Well, to make an informed choice, you need to know the difference between speed posts and registered posts.
Speed Post: Overview
Speed Post is a postal service offered by India Post that facilitates super-fast deliveries of parcels, letters, documents and a wide range of other items. This facility is available all over India and fulfils domestic deliveries within 2 to 3 days.
What’s more, Speed Post offers insurance options, value-added services, and an online tracking facility. You can also send packages abroad using Speed Post and avail of express shipping options for faster delivery.
Registered Post: Overview
Registered Post is a postal service that offers highly secure deliveries of letters, documents, parcels, and other related items. It supports domestic and international deliveries and fulfils them within 2 to 7 days.
Unlike Speed Posts, security is the highest priority here. Thus, you get assurance and proof of delivery, three dedicated delivery attempts, high-security handling, and prompt returns if the parcel is undelivered.
Moreover, parcels sent via Registered Post are only delivered to the person named on the envelope. The receiver must provide identification and their signature in order to receive the parcel.
Apart from this, the India Post maintains a thorough record of all Registered Post transactions and provides compensation for the delay, loss or damage of a parcel.
Differences Between Speed Post and Registered Post: Key Pointers
To understand the key points of difference between speed post and registered post, check out the table below:
| Parameters | Speed Post | Registered Post |
| Delivery Speed and Time Frame | 2 to 3 days (for domestic) | 2 to 7 days (for both domestic and international) |
| Tracking Facilities | Real-time tracking facilities with regular updates. | Basic tracking facilities with fewer updates compared to speed posts. |
| Insurance Coverage | Optional (for additional costs) | Included (with compensation for delay, loss or damage) |
| Proof of Delivery | Online tracking and delivery confirmation. | Requires recipient’s identity proof and signature as proof of delivery. |
| Cost Comparison | Usually more expensive due to faster delivery options | Costs less than a speed post but more than a regular post. |
| When to Use | For parcels requiring urgent deliveries | For parcels requiring highly secure deliveries |
When Should You Use Speed Post?
Given that Speed Post prioritises super-fast deliveries, it is suitable for the following situations:
- Sending urgent and time-sensitive documents.
- Parcels requiring super-fast delivery.
- Packages with real-time tracking requirements.
When Should You Use Registered Post?
As the Registered Post prioritises security, it is suitable for the following situations:
- Essential documents requiring proof of delivery.
- High-value items that need to be returned in case of non-delivery.
- Legal documents which are required to be delivered to a specific individual.
Speed Post vs Registered Post – At a Glance
Following is a recap of the key differences between speed posts and registered posts:
- Speed post prioritises speed, while registered post prioritises safety.
- Deliveries with speed posts take around 2 to 3 days, while with registered posts, it takes approximately 2 to 7 days.
- With speed post, senders get real-time tracking facilities, while registered post users only get basic tracking facilities.
- Insurance and proof of delivery are optional for speed post, while insurance is included for registered post, and the recipient’s signature is required as proof of delivery.
- Speed posts are usually more expensive than registered posts. Meanwhile, registered posts cost less than speed posts but more than regular posts.
- Speed post suits parcels requiring urgent deliveries, while registered post suits items requiring highly secure deliveries.
Now that you know the key differences between speed post and registered post, you can choose the one best suited for your delivery needs. However, parcel delivery requirements tend to differ across businesses.
Thus, Porter offers seamless local and inter-city courier services encompassing e-commerce shipping, personal gifts and items, and urgent same-day deliveries. Moreover, we provide door-to-door pickup and delivery services in 20 cities across India.
Try out Porter today and make your parcel deliveries hassle-free!
