Royal Mail is continuing the modernisation of its iconic postboxes with a striking new parcel postbox, able to accept medium-sized parcels for the first time.
The new solar-powered model is intended to make posting parcels easier for online shoppers, small businesses and the growing number of people using second-hand marketplaces.
They will allow customers to send and return medium‑sized, pre‑labelled parcels – the largest items yet to be accepted through a postbox – as well as letters. Around 600 will be installed over the next six months in convenient locations such as town centres, new housing developments and outside Royal Mail Delivery Offices.
The latest addition to Royal Mail’s network adds to an existing 1,400 parcel postboxes and 3,500 ‘postboxes of the future’ – traditional postboxes that have been upgraded – which both accept small parcels roughly the size of a shoebox.
The first of the new parcel postboxes is now live in Belfast, with further installations planned across the UK over the next six months in locations like Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow and Tyneside.
Royal Mail is on a drive to make sending and receiving parcels as convenient as possible for customers and continues to expand the number of locations where customers can drop off and collect items. Customers can also use any of the 115,000 postboxes to send letterboxable parcels and request proof of posting using the Royal Mail app.
As well as modernising its postbox network, Royal Mail has introduced parcel lockers and Royal Mail Shops and continues to be the only company to deliver and collect from every single address in the UK.
Jack Clarkson, Managing Director of Out of Home at Royal Mail, said: “Our new parcel postboxes mean our customers have another simple and convenient way of sending of sending or returning their parcels. This is great news for small businesses, online shoppers and the growing numbers of people selling on second-hand marketplaces. It’s another important step in our mission to be the UK’s most convenient delivery company.”
How to use a parcel postbox
The new parcel postboxes feature:
- A barcode scanner which opens a drop-down drawer to place parcels
- A solar panel to power the scanner and drawer
- A separate slot for letters
To use them:
- Attach your label to your parcel – either a supplied return label or postage label bought online using Royal Mail’s Click & Drop service
- Scan the barcode on your parcel’s label, which opens a secure drop‑down drawer to place your item inside
- Use the Royal Mail app to request proof of posting
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