How can I request a pickup? – Sendcloud Help Centre

Purpose: See how you can arrange for a carrier to collect parcels directly from your location, either on a fixed day per week or as a one-off incidental pickup.

Note: If you ship with your own direct contract, you will have to arrange the pickup directly with the carrier. It is not possible to arrange it via the panel or by contacting Sendcloud.

What is a pickup?

You can request that a carrier collects parcels directly from your warehouse or store location. There are two types of available pickups:

Incidental (one time) pickups, which you can arrange through the Sendcloud panel for specific carriers on an ad-hoc basis; or
Recurring (fixed) pickups which you can arrange to occur every week on a set day.

Please ensure you schedule collections at least 2 working days in advance to allow for processing time. Always check the specific pickup conditions for your chosen carrier.

Pickup reports

Please make sure that you have printed off a pickup report before your parcel collection. The delivery driver must sign and date this report at the time of collection and you must retain this documentation for your own records. This document serves as proof of collection and will be requested in order to file a claim for lost or damaged parcels.

You can read all about how to create a pickup report in our article How to create a pickup report.

How to request an incidental pickup

Via the Sendcloud panel

Before you can request a pickup through the panel, you must first enter a pickup address in your Sendcloud address settings. To do this go to Settings > Addresses > Pickup Address > Create New and enter the details for the location where your parcels are available for collection.

Important: please note that your pickup address must match the sender address as shown on your shipping label(s).
Click Pickups at the top of the panel and select Request a pickup. You can only request a pickup for parcels for which you have already created and printed a shipping label.
Click One time pickup
Select your pickup address and your desired carrier.
Fill in the form
Click Request pickup

Via the API

➡API documentation

When creating a pickup via the API, the pickup address is dynamic and, therefore, it isn't necessary to use a pickup address already saved in your Sendcloud account.

You can use the API to schedule a pickup with the following carriers:

Note: Depending on the carrier, you can schedule incidental pickups 1 to 4 weeks before the pickup date.

How to request a recurring pickup

You can request a recurring pickup on a specific day per week, multiple times per week, or even daily pickups, depending on your needs and on the carriers' conditions.

Via the panel

Important: This option is only available for DPD Netherlands, DPD Belgium, DPD Germany, DPD Austria, GLS Austria, UPS Germany, DHL Netherlands, DHL Belgium, Correos, Correos Express, SEUR and Poste Delivery Business.

To request a recurring pickup directly from your Sendcloud panel, follow these steps:

In your Sendcloud panel, go to Pickups > Request a pickup
Select Recurring pickup
Enter your pickup address and select the carrier
Fill in the form
Click Request pickup to send your request to the carrier
Once your request is approved by the carrier, a support agent from Sendcloud will contact you via email to confirm.

Through Sendcloud support

For any other carriers that you use with our Sendcloud rates and that support recurring pickups, you can request a fixed pickup by contacting our support team well in advance before the first collection day.

Pickup conditions

Your shipping volume may determine if you meet the requirements for a parcel pickup. Please note that available times can vary and are subjected to the availability of the local office.

The carriers listed below are the ones which are currently available for creating incidental pickups. For unlisted carriers, we can arrange a recurring pickup on your behalf.

UPS:

Minimum 1 parcel per pickup
Cost per pickup: Incidental (same day) 4.20 / Incidental (future day) 2.29 / Weekly (recurring) 7.00 (GBP)

Drop-off at a service point

If you don't wish to schedule a pickup or if your Sendcloud plan does not allow it, you can also drop off your packages at a service point for pickup and delivery by the carrier. You must have created and printed your shipping labels before dropping off your parcels at the location of your choice.

UPS (UK): service point locator and shipping conditions

Please keep in mind that non-compliance with the aforementioned conditions may result in the carrier levying a surcharge, which will be reflected in your upcoming invoices. When shipping with any carrier you automatically accept their terms and conditions. If you schedule a pickup directly with the driver or local office, Sendcloud is NOT responsible for any incidents incurred, including failed pickups and lost/damaged or delayed parcels.