What is the cheapest way I could send a package from the UK to Japan?

Question:

It's got a mug, two packages of shortbread, a t shirt, and two stuffed sock monkey dolls. I guessed the weight at about a kg, put it in on Royal Mail's website but it didn't make sense to me. Parcelforce was really expensive and normal RM only said "small packets" which I don't know that this would qualify. Are there any other ways to ship or would it be a better price if I took it in to the post office? Any help is welcome!

Answer:

Cheapest would be surface mail via the Royal Mail. It can take weeks. Cheap and quick is Air Mail via the Royal Mail's 'Small Packet' service. A ''Small Packet' weight limit is 2 kilos. There are restrictions on the dimensions of the parcel, but a medium sized box from the post office is suitable and will be more than big enough for your items. Remember to write 'Small Packet' on the top left hand corner of the box and fill in and attach the proper customs declaration sticker on the front, and airmail stickers on the front and back of the parcel. You get these from the post office counter.
DO NOT guess the weight of the parcel before sealing it. It will be weighed at the post office to calculate the postage, take parcel tape with you and seal it there. Sending anything abroad will be expensive, depending on the weight it can cost over 20 quid to send a 'small packet'. Remember to pack and seal the parcel correctly.
In my experience courier services are not cheaper, quicker or more reliable than using Airmail.