01Four steps
- Wait for the message. When the parcel is in the locker, the carrier sends a text, an email or an app notification with the locker’s location and a code.
- Check where the locker is. Open the locker address on a map. A locker inside a shop or station can only be reached while the building is open.
- Open the compartment. Scan the QR code at the screen, type the code, or open it from the carrier’s app, depending on the network (see the table).
- Take the parcel and close the door. If the compartment is empty or holds someone else’s parcel, contact the carrier before you leave.
This is a general outline; where a network’s own rules differ, they win.
02Locker networks in the UK
We list 18,900 parcel lockers in the UK; 11,961 of the 12,750 with recorded hours are open 24/7.
| Network | Lockers | How to open | How long it waits | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| InPost | 10,964 | Scan the QR code, open remotely in the app, or type your phone number and collection code | 72 hours, with a reminder 24 hours before; then returned to the seller | not stated |
| Amazon | 3,526 | not stated | not stated | not stated |
| Evri | 1,986 | Enter the code Evri sends you | 3 days | 24/7 |
| Yeep | 1,863 | not stated | not stated | not stated |
| Royal Mail | 199 | not stated | not stated | not stated |
| DPD | 144 | not stated | not stated | not stated |
| Parcel Pending | 106 | not stated | not stated | not stated |
| FedEx | 6 | not stated | not stated | not stated |
03Locker networks in the US
| Network | Lockers | How to open | How long it waits | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon | 12,377 | not stated | not stated | not stated |
| Parcel Pending | 98 | not stated | not stated | not stated |
| USPS | 73 | One-time QR code or 6-digit access code sent by email | 5 calendar days, then 10 more days at the counter | 24/7 where the lobby is open 24 hours |
| UPS | 8 | not stated | not stated | not stated |
| Costco | 8 | not stated | not stated | not stated |
USPS Smart Lockers hold a parcel for 5 calendar days; after that it moves to the Post Office counter for 10 more days, where you collect it with photo ID.
04No code, too late, or the door won’t open
- No code? Check the tracking page first; if it shows the parcel in the locker, contact the carrier.
- InPost UK keeps parcels for 72 hours and sends a reminder 24 hours before the time runs out; uncollected parcels go back to the seller.
- Evri lockers give you 3 days to collect.
- If a door does not open, note the locker name and compartment number before you call.
05Where the lockers are
UK places with the most parcel lockers:
- London (408)
- Birmingham (265)
- Manchester (229)
- Glasgow (204)
- Leeds (175)
- Sheffield (167)
- Nottingham (155)
- Bristol (153)
- Liverpool (147)
- Coventry (113)
06Before you go
Checklist
- Have the code or QR ready on your phone.
- For a locker inside a shop or station, check that the building is open.
- Holiday plans? See bank holiday and federal holiday opening.
Frequently asked questions
How long does InPost keep a parcel in a UK locker?
72 hours from delivery into the locker, with a reminder 24 hours before the time runs out. Uncollected parcels are sent back to the seller.
How long does USPS hold a parcel in a Smart Locker?
5 calendar days in the locker, then 10 more days at the Post Office counter, where photo ID is needed.
Can I collect from an Evri locker at night?
Evri says its lockers are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and that you have 3 days to collect.