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InPost UK shipping conditions

Chloé
  • Updated

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Purpose: To inform you about the services InPost offers and their conditions to ship from or to lockers within the United Kingdom.

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Service presentation

InPost operates with a large network of lockers in the UK which are available to you and your customers 24/7. They can typically be found outside supermarkets, train stations, convenience stores and petrol stations. All lockers are robust, provided with 3 CCTV cameras and LED lighting. The lockers are fully automated and can only be accessed via codes sent to the user directly. Find the nearest locker here.

Important: 

  • InPost requires that the recipient's phone number always be included

  • The number MUST be a UK mobile number

  • Landline numbers or foreign mobile numbers ARE NOT accepted and will return an error if inserted

Shipping method features:

  • Deliveries Monday to Saturday
  • Tracked by default
  • UK to UK only, Northern Ireland currently not supported

Characteristics of the parcel:

Locker sizes (length x width x height) in cm:

  • Small (A): 64 x 38 x 8
  • Medium (B): 64 x 38 x 19
  • Large (C ): 64 x 38 x 41

Maximum dimensions:

  • Parcels larger than 64cm x 38cm x 41cm can't be dropped-off or collected from a locker and therefore can't be handled by the carrier

Maximum weight: 15kg 

If a parcel exceeds the maximum weight of 15kg, a parcel weighs above 15kg, a surcharge of £6.50 applies

List of shipping methods and delivery times:

Available via our contract and direct contract

  • InPost Locker to Address 
    • Approximately 2 business days
  • InPost Locker to Address Returns 
    • Approximately 2 business days

Available via direct contract only

  • InPost Address to Locker Next Day
    • Approximately 24 hours
  • InPost Address to Locker Two Day
    • Approximately 48 hours
  • InPost Returns
    • Approximately 3-5 business days
  • InPost Instant Returns
    • Approximately 5 business days
Please note: Delivery times are estimated and may vary depending on different factors.
Return to sender parcels: Returns may take several weeks to be processed and returned to the sender. This delay is due to the necessary step of passing through our returns partner in the UK, OnLogistics. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this process.

InPost Locker to Address

Simply drop off your parcel at an InPost parcel locker, whenever it suits you best. The lockers are totally secure, it takes just seconds to drop your parcel off and best of all, they are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days of the year.

The parcel will be collected by InPost and delivered to the recipient's address. After three failed delivery attempts, the package will be returned to sender. If the consumer isn’t at home at the time of delivery, the parcel can also be left with their neighbours. There is no need to connect a direct contract for this shipping method. Simply enable the carrier in your Sendcloud panel, select the shipping method and start shipping! 

What happens if the locker that was automatically opened is too small?

  1. When the customer goes to a locker and scans their label for Locker to Address, or standard Returns, or their QR code for Instant Returns, the locker door that will open will be a size “A” (the smallest)
  2. The customer is presented on the screen with “Open Medium” or “Open Large”
  3. If the parcel does not fit in “A”, they select one of the other options4.
    They then close the “A” locker, and a medium “B” or large “C” will open
Steps on how to use InPost Locker to Address

How to use InPost Locker to Address to deliver a parcel from a locker to the recipient

  1. Enable InPost in your Sendcloud panel via Settings > Carriers and Pricing > Enable (and activate InPost direct contract in case you would like to use your own direct contract) 
  2. Go to the order at Incoming orders
  3. Select Shipping method > InPost Locker to Address
  4. Click on Print label and affix it to your parcel
  5. Take your parcel to any InPost locker
  6. Scan the parcel's barcode and select the size of the locker that fits your parcel (A, B or C)
  7. The door of the selected locker will open
  8. Put your parcel inside and close it – it takes just seconds!
  9. A courier will collect the parcel from the locker and deliver the package to the consignee

InPost Locker to Address Return 

There is no need to connect a direct contract for this returning method. You can choose to return with this method either when you have a direct contract or ship via our contract. The return label can be created via the return portal or you can create the return manually. Either you or the customer chooses a preferred locker. They will print the label and bring the package to the chosen location. The carrier will collect the package from the locker and return the package to you.

Steps on how to use Inpost Locker to Address 

How to use InPost Locker to Address Return to return a parcel

  1. Enable InPost in your Sendcloud panel via Settings > Carriers and Pricing > Enable (and activate InPost direct contract in case you would like to use your own direct contract)
  2. Set up your return portal and make sure that it is activated, enable Inpost in the Return portal and create a new return via the Return portal or create a manual return
  3. Customer will select a preferred location in the return portal or you will select the location for the customer
  4. QR code will be generated and sent to customer
  5. The customer will take the parcel to the nearest location, scan the barcode and selects a locker that fits its size (A, B or C)
  6. A courier will collect the parcel from the locker and the parcel will be returned to you. 

InPost Address to Locker

Address to Locker is a service InPost offers for delivery to a locker in combination with a collection. This method is only possible when you ship via your direct contract. It is implemented in the servicepoint locater at checkout where your customer will be able to select a locker nearby, whether that's close to home or close to work. You can schedule a pickup in order for the parcel to be collected. InPost will then deliver the package to the preferred location.

Steps on how to use InPost Address to Locker
How to use InPost Address to Locker to deliver a parcel to a locker
  1. Enable InPost in your Sendcloud panel via Settings > Carriers and Pricing > Enable and activate InPost direct contract
  2. Activate servicepoint delivery by going to Settings > Integrations > Edit > Servicepoint delivery > checkmark InPost in your Sendcloud panel and make sure your servicepoint option is configured in your webshop back-end. You can find more about servicepoint delivery in this article
  3. The map will appear at check-out when the customer selects service point delivery. Your customers will select preferred lockers and place their orders. This information and the right shipping method will automatically be implemented into the label details in your Sendcloud panel
  4. Print labels via Incoming orders and affix labels to your parcels
  5. Request a pickup directly via your account manager to schedule a time with InPost to collect the parcels
  6. InPost will collect the parcels and drop them off at the chosen locations. The customers will receive texts and emails containing a collection code
  7. The customers can access the parcel by scanning the QR code at the location. The parcel will be stored for 72 hours. After this point, the parcel will be returned to sender 

InPost Return

This shipping method makes returning easy. This method is only possible when you ship via your direct contract. The return label can be created via the return portal or via a manual return. The customer will receive the label, print it and affix it to the parcel. In the return portal, nearby lockers will be displayed so the customer knows where to handover the package. The carrier will collect the package from the locker and return the package to you.

Steps on how to use InPost Returns

How to use an InPost Returns to return a parcel from locker to sender.

  1. Enable InPost in your Sendcloud panel via Settings > Carriers and Pricing > Enable and activate InPost direct contract
  2. Set up your return portal and make sure that it is activated, enable Inpost in the Return portal and create a new return via the Return portal or create a manual return
  3. Customer will select a preferred location in the return portal or you will select the location for the customer
  4. The customer will receive the label, print and attach it to their return parcel
  5. The customer will take the parcel to the nearest locker, scan the barcode and selects a locker that fits its size (A, B or C)
  6. A courier will collect the parcel from the locker and the parcel will be returned to you

InPost Instant Returns 

Returning, as easy as it gets. This method is only possible when you ship via your direct contract. Simply create a return via the return portal and the customer will receive a QR code. This service prevents the hassle of label printing. Only the QR code needs to be scanned when handing over the package to the nearest locker. The carrier will collect the package from the InPost locker and return the package to you. You can find more information about Instant Returns in this link.

Steps on how to use InPost Instant Returns
How to use an InPost Instant Returns to return a parcel from locker to sender.
  1. Enable InPost in your Sendcloud panel via Settings > Carriers and Pricing > Enable and activate InPost direct contract
  2. Set up your return portal and make sure that it is activated, enable Inpost in the Return portal and create a new return via the Return portal or create a manual return
  3. Customer will select a preferred location in the return portal or you will select the location for the customer
  4. QR code will be generated and sent to customer
  5. The customer will take the parcel to the nearest location, scan the barcode and selects a locker that fits its size (A, B or C)
  6. A courier will collect the parcel from the locker and the parcel will be returned to you. 
Note: Returns may take several weeks to be processed and returned to the sender. This delay is due to the necessary step of passing through our returns partner in the UK, OnLogistics. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this process.

Claims

InPost shipments do not have standard insurance. For high value parcels, consider insuring them against the possibility of damage or loss with Sendcloud Insurance.