Parcel boxes to be introduced across the country, with aim to help small businesses

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

The Royal Mail is launching the UK’s first parcel postboxes across the country.

The move follows a successful trial and is the first major change in the use of postboxes in 160 years.

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The parcel postboxes will enable small businesses and other sellers to post pre-paid parcels in the same way they post letters. They will also allow customers to post some barcoded return parcels.

The parcel postboxes are being introduced later this year around the country including in Birmingham, Leeds, Aberdeen and Cardiff.

Mark Street, the head of campaigns at Royal Mail, said: “The wide-scale introduction of parcel postboxes is one of the many ways we are looking to make the lives of our customers easier.

“The parcel postboxes trial last year was a success, and we hope that the wider rollout gives added flexibility to online sellers who might be running a business in their spare time and not keeping regular office hours.”

Royal Mail said the boxes would be introduced from August.