Royal Mail has announced the launch of a parcel pickup service across the UK in a shakeup of the daily post round. The new service – Parcel Collect – means postmen and postwomen will now be able to collect parcels as well as deliver them on their daily round. Royal Mail notes it is one of the biggest changes to the daily delivery since the launch of the postbox in 1852.
The post notes that, as well as offering greater convenience, the move means that online sellers and shoppers will no longer need to leave their homes if they want to mail or return a pre-paid item by post.
Under the initiative, postmen and postwomen will collect a parcel from the customer’s door or nominated safe place for £0.72 (€0.79) per parcel, in addition to postage costs. The service will also be available for pre-paid return items at a cost of £0.60 (€0.65) per item. Royal Mail says it can collect up to five parcels per address. The service will be available six days per week and can be booked up to five days in advance and up to midnight the day before.
In order to use the service, customers simply need to ensure they have already paid the correct postage to send their item. If an item does not have pre-paid postage such as a return, customers are able to pay for their postage online or via the Royal Mail app.
The nationwide launch follows an initial roll-out of Parcel Collect in certain postcode (zip code) areas of West England. Nick Landon, chief commercial officer at Royal Mail, commented, “Royal Mail Parcel Collect is a fantastic step forward for all of our customers. It makes it easier to use our services than ever before. The launch of Parcel Collect is part of our commitment to continuously make our services better and more convenient.”