Royal Mail denies £3,000 compensation claim for missing silver bullion

Southport taxi driver Robert Devereux, 45, sent a parcel containing a 1 kg hand‑poured silver bar (valued at about £2,500) and a 10‑ounce bar (about £500) to a reputable bullion dealer in Blackpool on 9 June. He used Royal Mail Special Delivery with enhanced compensation, paying £32.95 plus an extra £10 for coverage up to £5,000, and claimed the package complied with the service’s weight limit and was sealed in a standard padded envelope marked “fragile”.

The parcel arrived the next day inside a damaged Royal Mail bag, and the dealer reported the two bars missing. Devereux filed a compensation claim, which Royal Mail initially said was under investigation but later rejected, stating the items should have been placed in a strong rigid container with at least 5 cm of cushioning. Devereux disputes this, saying he declared the contents and staff were aware the parcel held precious metals, and that he expected the paid‑for insurance to protect him.