Gatwick Mail Centre | Tracking, Jobs & More

You’re expecting a Royal Mail delivery and have received an alert stating that your item is at the “Gatwick Mail Centre”.

What does this mean exactly? Where is this mail centre and what happens inside it?

Let’s take a look…

Where is the Gatwick Mail Centre?

The address is Gatwick Mail Centre, James Watt Way, Crawley RH10 9AA.

It is strategically located near London Gatwick Airport, one of the United Kingdom’s busiest and most well-connected airports.

This location provides easy access to not only the domestic and international air transportation network but also to a well-developed road and rail infrastructure.

Contacting the Centre

The following phone numbers are useful if you have a package stuck at the parcel centre or need more information about a shipment

• The Royal Mail Gatwick Mail Centre: 01293 817300
• Parcel Force (Gatwick Parcel Depot): 0344 800 4466

The Parcelforce Depot is located in the same industrial zone as the main Royal Mail centre at Gatwick.

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Operations Inside the Gatwick Mail Centre

The Gatwick Mail Centre is a sprawling facility that houses a wide range of machinery and equipment dedicated to processing, sorting, and dispatching mail.

Here are some details about what goes on inside the center:

1. Sorting: Upon arrival, mail and parcels are sorted based on their destination. This initial sorting process ensures that items are directed to the appropriate processing line for further handling.
2. Scanning and Tracking: Advanced scanning systems and technology are employed to record the details of each mail item or parcel. This data is critical for tracking and tracing, enabling customers to monitor the progress of their shipments.
3. Security Measures: The Gatwick Mail Centre is equipped with stringent security measures to protect sensitive and valuable items. These measures include surveillance cameras, access control systems, and screening procedures.
4. International Dispatch: A significant portion of the mail and parcels processed at the Gatwick Mail Centre are destined for international destinations. The center facilitates customs clearance and dispatches these items via various international courier services.

Seasonal Mail Sorters Jobs

I shall provide a quick note here, just in case you have reached this article while looking for seasonal jobs at the Gatwick Mail Centre.

The fact is, this centre does require extra workers to cope with the seasonal high volumes of packages and mail.

The 2023 seasonal job opportunities were released on the Royal Mail Jobs website at the end of October.

The pay rates and shift patterns are as follows:

• Lates: 14:00 – 22:00 (£15.92 p/h)
• Nights: 22:00 – 06:00 (£17.10 p/h)
• Earlies: 06:00 – 14:00 (£14.59 p/h)
• Weekends: Various shifts available (as above p/h)

Requirements include the ability to push trolleys (up to 250kg) and lift/move mail bags (up to 11kg).

You will also be expected to stand for long periods.

You can apply online here.

Tracking Alerts at Gatwick Mail Centre

When your package or mail item is at the Gatwick Mail Centre, you can expect to receive specific tracking alerts.

These alerts are designed to keep you informed about the status of your shipment.

Here are the most common Royal Mail tracking alerts associated with the centre:

1. Accepted at Gatwick Mail Centre: This alert confirms that your item has successfully entered the Gatwick Mail Centre and is in the initial stages of processing.
2. Processing: After arrival at the centre, your item will be marked as “processing” as it moves through the sorting and distribution process within the mail center.
3. Customs Processing (for international shipments): If your item is bound for an international destination, it may go through customs processing at the Gatwick Mail Centre. This alert indicates that customs procedures are underway.
4. Dispatched from Gatwick Mail Centre: Once your package or mail item has been sorted, processed, and cleared for dispatch, you will receive an alert indicating that it has left the Gatwick Mail Centre and is en route to its next destination.

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What to do if Your Package is Stuck Inside the Centre

If your package appears to be stuck or delayed inside the Gatwick Mail Centre, it can be frustrating.

However, there are steps you can take to address the situation and potentially resolve the issue:

1. Double Check Your Tracking Information

Start by checking the tracking information provided by the shipping or courier service.

Ensure that the package hasn’t already been dispatched from the Gatwick Mail Centre but is merely awaiting a new update.

It’s not uncommon for tracking information to experience a delay.

2. Try to Remain Patient

Sometimes, packages may be temporarily held due to customs clearance, security checks, or other reasons.

Give it some time, as the tracking information may be updated as the package progresses through the processing and sorting stages.

3. Contact Royal Mail and/or the Gatwick Mail Centre

I provided the phone numbers for the center plus the Parcel Force dept based at Gatwick at the beginning of the article.

You may want to contact them if your package is delayed.

You can also contact the main Royal Mail customer services number on 03457 740740.

The contact page on the website can also be reached here.

They might be able to provide information on the status of your package and offer guidance on any issues causing the delay.

4. Submit an Inquiry / Start a Claim

After exhausting the above options and if your package really does seem lost or eternally stuck inside the center, you will want to start an inquiry through Royal Mail and potentially begin the claims process.

All the relevant information you need can be found on the Royal Mail Claims Centre website.

Finally, it is important to remember that delays can occur for various reasons, including customs processing, security checks, high shipping volumes, and logistical challenges.

We are now approaching the seasonal holiday period and mail items in and out of the Gatwick Mail Centre will take longer.

That being said, most packages eventually reach their intended destination, it’s just that patience may be required. 🙂

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