The Complete 2026 Guide to Mailing Bags for UK E-Commerce, Trade & Bulk Buyers

UK e-commerce has changed fast. Customers now expect parcels to arrive quickly, safely and in packaging that feels professional and responsible. For most online sellers, that means one core item on the packing bench: strong, reliable mailing bags. Used well, they cut costs, protect products, keep couriers happy and support your brand story.

This guide explains how mailing bags power modern UK e-commerce and trade in 2026, how to pick the right sizes and colours, and why thousands of sellers now rely on Mr Bags for grey and coloured mailing bags in bulk.

What Are Mailing Bags and Why Do They Dominate UK E-Commerce?

Mailing bags (also called postal bags or courier bags) are lightweight, flexible bags designed for sending parcels through Royal Mail and couriers such as Evri, DPD and DHL. They are usually made from strong, opaque polythene (LDPE) or paper, with a self-seal strip for fast packing.

For busy online sellers, mailing bags solve several problems in one go:

• Fast to pack – peel, seal and go; perfect for high-order days.
• Space-saving – they store flat, unlike bulky cardboard boxes.
• Cheaper postage – light and compact, helping you stay within Royal Mail Large Letter or Small Parcel bands where possible.
• Professional finish – smooth outer surface for labels and branding, and full opacity for customer privacy.
• Flexible sizing – from small accessory mailers up to extra-large bags for bedding, coats and boxed goods.

For a general overview of your range, new and growing sellers can start with the main Mailing Bags collection and then narrow down to Grey Mailing Bags for their core dispatch sizes.

Key Benefits of Mailing Bags for Growing Online Shops

Whether you run a Shopify store, eBay shop, Etsy brand or a multi-channel warehouse, good mailing bags do more than “hold things”. They quietly reduce returns, packing time and shipping cost.

1. Protection During Transit

• Moisture resistance – polythene mailing bags help keep rain and damp out during courier handling.
• Tear resistance – 60 µm grey mailing bags are tough enough for clothing, boxes and heavy soft goods.
• Opaque film – contents stay private, which matters for fashion, gifts and higher-value items.

2. Lower Postage and Packing Costs

• Lightweight material – compared with cardboard boxes, mailing bags often reduce parcel weight and save on postage.
• Less void-fill – flexible bags hug the product so you usually need less bubble wrap or paper.
• Flat-packed storage – boxes take shelf space; mailing bags sit in compact stacks or dispensers.

3. Faster Dispatch and Happier Couriers

• Peel-and-seal closure – quick to use and tamper-evident.
• Clean label surface – thermal courier labels stick securely and scan clearly.
• Standardised sizes – easy for teams to learn which size fits which product, and for couriers to handle.

When combined with the right tape and outer cartons, mailing bags sit neatly inside your wider packing set-up. Many sellers pair them with cardboard boxes for fragile goods and packaging tape for secure sealing and returns labels.

Why Grey Mailing Bags Lead the UK Market

Grey mailing bags are the workhorse of UK e-commerce. They are neutral, professional and fit almost every brand style, from vintage clothing to tech, homeware and sportswear.

At Mr Bags, grey mailers are available in 14 sizes, from 4.5×7" mini bags up to 28×34" extra-large postal sacks. Two hero sizes stand out as top sellers for UK fashion and general e-commerce:

Grey Mailing Bags 12×16" – Everyday Clothing Favourite

The Grey Mailing Bags 12×16" are a near-perfect fit for many standard orders:

• Hoodies, jumpers and sweatshirts
• Jeans, joggers and trousers
• Stacked T-shirts or knitwear bundles
• Smaller shoe boxes and gift boxes

For most sellers this size becomes “the default bag” for daily orders. It offers a good depth for folded garments while still aiming for Royal Mail Small Parcel where weight allows.

Grey Mailing Bags 13×19" – For Bulky Apparel and Boxed Goods

The Grey Mailing Bags 13×19" are ideal when you need more room:

• Coats, padded jackets and thick hoodies
• Shoe boxes and trainer boxes
• Multi-item sets and subscription boxes
• Stacked garments or bundled promotions

This size is popular with fashion brands, sportswear labels and warehouse dispatch teams that want one “safe” option for bigger orders while still keeping packaging lightweight.

Full Size Guide: Grey and Coloured Mailing Bags

Choosing the right size mailing bag is one of the easiest ways to save on postage and reduce damages. Too small and products are squeezed; too large and items move around in transit.

Grey Mailing Bag Size Overview (14 Sizes)

The grey range covers the following typical sizes from small to extra-large (inches shown for quick reference):

You can browse and buy all grey sizes from the main Grey Mailing Bags collection, or opt for a mixed-size assortment if you are still learning which fits your range best.

Coloured Mailing Bags – Pink, Blue, Green, Purple

When you want parcels to carry more of your brand personality, coloured mailing bags are ideal. They stand out in the post, look great in unboxing videos and still offer the same strong tear resistance.

In each colour – pink, blue, green and purple – Mr Bags stocks four core sizes:

• 10×14" – small clothing, tops, books and gifts
• 12×16" – hoodies, jeans, A4+ parcels
• 15×18" – bulky outfits, jumpers, small boxes
• 17×22" – multi-item orders, coats, gift bundles

Explore the ranges here:

• Pink Mailing Bags
• Blue Mailing Bags
• Green Mailing Bags
• Purple Mailing Bags

Mailing Bags vs Boxes vs Paper Packaging

Mailing bags are not the answer for every single parcel, but they are often the most efficient choice for soft goods and non-fragile products. Here is a quick comparison.

Mailing Bags vs Cardboard Boxes

• Weight – mailing bags are usually lighter, which can reduce postage costs.
• Storage – bags store flat; boxes take more room in your warehouse or stockroom.
• Protection – boxes offer more crush resistance and are better for fragile or breakable items.

For fragile products, many businesses use a combination: a snug cardboard box with a mailing bag as a weather-resistant outer.

Mailing Bags vs Paper Bags with Handles

• In-store vs postal – paper bags with handles are great for handover to customers; mailing bags are built for couriers.
• Presentation – paper bags, including brown paper bags and party bags, give a premium, gift-style feel at events or in shops.
• Weather – polythene mailing bags handle rain and handling better in transit.

Mailing Bags vs Bubble Wrap and Loose Fill

Bubble wrap and loose fill protect items inside a box, but they do not provide an outer surface for labels or courier scanning. Mailing bags are often used around boxes or padded mailers, reducing the need for extra tape and giving a cleaner finish.

Why Bulk Buying Mailing Bags Makes Sense for UK Trade and Wholesale

If you ship daily, buying a few packs at a time quickly becomes more expensive and disruptive. Bulk and trade purchasing brings several advantages:

• Lower cost per bag – larger pack sizes reduce the unit price, protecting your margins.
• Fewer stock-outs – keeping a buffer of key sizes like 10×14", 12×16" and 13×19" stops dispatch delays in peak periods.
• Simpler reordering – once you know your core bag sizes, you can build simple re-order rules by volume.
• Trade support – you can request VAT invoices, bulk quotes and regular supply.

Mr Bags supports trade and wholesale buyers across the UK, from independent sellers to large fulfilment centres. For pallet quantities, multi-site supply or custom pricing, you can use the Bulk Order / Trade form (PDF) linked on site to request a tailored quote and stock plan.

For wholesale and trade sellers, using the right bags is only part of the process. A consistent dispatch process also matters. Our guide on how to pack parcels properly for UK delivery explains the correct packing steps in detail.

What Products Fit Best in Each Mailing Bag Size?

Here is a simple way to match products to bag sizes when planning your packing station:

• 4.5×7" to 6.5×9" – jewellery, spare parts, small electronics accessories and cosmetic samples.
• 9×12" – books, diaries, games, single folded tops, thin boxes or smaller returns items.
• 10×14" – the “T-shirt size” for one or two light garments, A4 notebooks, stationery and small gifts.
• 12×16" – everyday apparel parcels; use for hoodies, jeans, jumpers and light knitwear.
• 13×19" and 14×21" – thicker hoodies, long coats, shoe boxes, multi-item clothing bundles.
• 15×18" and 17×24" – bulk orders, outerwear, bedding and larger gift boxes.
• 20×26" and above – large textiles, pillows, duvets, wholesale garment shipments and bulky mixed orders.

If you sell mixed product types, many businesses keep at least three “go-to” sizes on the bench: a T-shirt bag (10×14"), a core clothing bag (12×16" or 13×19") and a large bag for coats and multi-item orders.

Are Mailing Bags Eco-Friendly and Recyclable?

Eco performance matters more than ever to customers and marketplaces. When choosing mailing bags, think about both material and end-of-life:

• Recycled content – many grey mailing bags are made from 100% recycled LDPE (code 4), giving plastic already in the system a second life.
• Recyclability – most LDPE mailing bags can be recycled through supermarket soft-plastic collection points where available. Customers should remove labels and glue strips first.
• Right-sizing parcels – using a closer-fitting bag size reduces wasted material and cuts the carbon cost per order.

For buyers wanting to reduce plastic further, you can combine mailing bags with more paper-based packaging elsewhere in your range – for example paper bags with handles, party bags and sturdy cardboard boxes sized for Royal Mail guides.

How To Choose the Right Mailing Bag for Your Business

There is no single “best” mailing bag; the right choice depends on your products, courier setup and brand.

1. Start with Product Type and Fragility

• Soft goods (clothing, textiles) – polythene mailing bags alone are usually enough.
• Boxed items – choose a slightly larger bag and consider padding corners or adding a box inside.
• Fragile items – use a suitable box, void fill and then a mailing bag as the outer where needed.

2. Match Sizes to Your Top-Selling SKUs

Look at your best-selling products and decide which three bag sizes will cover 80–90% of your orders. For many clothing brands this ends up being something like:

• 10×14" – single T-shirts and light tops
• 12×16" – jeans, hoodies and everyday outfits
• 13×19" or 15×18" – bulkier orders and bundles

3. Decide on Brand Look: Grey vs Colour

• Grey – clean, neutral, suits any brand and looks professional for business parcels.
• Coloured – pink, blue, green or purple mailers add personality and stand out on the doorstep.

You can use coloured mailing bags for VIP customers, gifts or subscription boxes, and grey mailing bags for standard dispatches to keep costs predictable.

4. Check Courier and Royal Mail Requirements

Before standardising your sizes, it is worth checking current parcel rules using the Royal Mail size and weight guide. Staying inside the right band can make a big difference to annual shipping spend.

Why Buy Mailing Bags from Mr Bags?

Mr Bags supplies thousands of UK e-commerce sellers, retailers and trade buyers with strong, reliable mailing bags and matching packaging. The aim is simple: make your dispatch easier, faster and more professional.

• Complete range – from 14 grey mailing bag sizes to colourful pink, blue, green and purple mailing bags.
• Matched packaging – combine mailers with postal boxes, tape and paper bags with handles for collections, pop-ups and events.
• Trade and bulk support – competitive pricing on cartons and pallet quantities, plus VAT invoices and help with size planning.
• UK stock and fast dispatch – orders ship from the Manchester warehouse, with next-working-day options for mainland UK on qualifying orders.
• Customer trust – buyers rate Mr Bags highly on service, delivery speed and value.

Conclusion: Mailing Bags as a Smart 2026 Packaging Choice

For modern UK e-commerce and trade buyers, mailing bags are more than just “a cheaper alternative to boxes”. The right sizes and colours help you ship faster, keep parcels protected, stay inside key postage bands and present your brand well on every doorstep.

By standardising on a small set of core grey mailing bag sizes, adding coloured options where you want an extra brand touch, and buying in sensible bulk, you can simplify your whole dispatch flow. Pair those mailers with well-chosen cardboard boxes, strong packaging tape and, for in-person handovers, quality paper bags with handles, and you have a packaging system that supports your growth into 2026 and beyond.

To explore the range and choose your next core dispatch sizes, start with the main Mailing Bags collection, or go straight to top-selling clothing sizes like the Grey 12×16" mailing bags and Grey 13×19" mailing bags used daily by UK fashion and online sellers.