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:

1st and 2nd Class PPI.

These can found on the intranet following the link below and printed on Gift Aid stickers.
https://karl.oxfam.org.uk/intranets/files/shops-reference-manuals/oxfam-online-shop/postage-and-dispatch/

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
http://www.oxfam.org.uk/shop/listing-tool-help/packaging-and-dispatching

For Special delivery and overseas use 1st Class PPI (as above)
• INITIAL SET UP
• Before using you will receive an email 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 email 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, 2nd class
• Large letters – 1Kg to 2Kg, 1st class
• Packets - up to 1Kg, 2nd class
• Packets - 1Kg to 2Kg, 1st 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 2nd class stamp with 1st class

SD1 works on weight groups, 1-100g, 101-500g, 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 2nd class stamp with 1st class

Each of the above groups require a separate entry on the order as does each cost centre
 1st Class Large STL
This is a flow chart dealing with OOS Letters
only. This is an extreme case but covers
every separate line of code you would 1st Class Packets STL
need (excluding letters and BFPO)
This would be repeated on the
Other channels too! Special Delivery SD1

2nd class large

letters STL

OOS
2nd class packets STL

ABE Small Packets EU OLA

Printed Papers
All Post eBay OLA
EU

Small Packets
Amazon OLA
ROW

Printed Papers
Shop post OLA
ROW
 Each product will need the correct PPI (Printed
Postage Impression) attached to the parcel
All shops using the STL code
For standard post use 1st and 2nd class PPI available on KARL
https://karl.oxfam.org.uk/intranets/files/shops-reference-manuals/oxfam-online-shop/postage-and-dispatch

For Special Delivery use 1st class PP1, Special Delivery pad (P6565) and Special
Delivery labels (P6396/500)

For recorded signed for use 1st class PP1, Recorded delivery pad (P1038) and
recorded labels (P2223/500)

For overseas post use 1st class PPI, Airmail sticker and for countries outside the EU -
CN22 Customs labels (CN22/250)

Shops using the CRL code: for standard 1st class use the CRL 1st 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

5
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 2.

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 )
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 08457 950 950 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 email address and password you are using are both correct.

If you still can’t access OBA...

Call Royal Mail on 08457 950 950 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 www.royalmail.com/obaemergency 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 www.royalmail.com/obahelpcentre 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.