How do I return a parcel with Royal Mail in UK? 8 ways

Many people may not know that when returning a parcel with Royal Mail as your courier, you don’t actually have to visit a post office in person anymore.

Instead, you could use one of the 3,500 postboxes of the future or even use your nearest parcel locker at Sainsbury’s.

For the next time you need to send an item of clothing or homeware back to a shop, here is how you can return it with Royal Mail.

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How do I return a parcel with Royal Mail? All the ways to choose from

• Proof of postage at postboxes – customers can now drop off parcels that fit in any of the 115,000 postboxes, located within half a mile of 85% of UK addresses, and request proof of postage using the Royal Mail app
• Postboxes of the future – Royal Mail is rolling out 3,500 postboxes of the future across the UK to allow customers to easily return larger parcels – these solar‑powered postboxes feature built‑in digital scanners, removing the need to access the app to obtain proof of postage
• Royal Mail Shop outlets – more than 8,000 convenience stores across the UK have become Royal Mail Shop outlets, enabling customers to drop off parcels and purchase Royal Mail postage at more locations and longer opening hours
• Parcel lockers – more than 2,600 parcel lockers are now available in high‑footfall locations such as Sainsbury’s stores and other major retailers, offering customers a secure self‑service returns option

Additionally, consumers can also continue to return parcels at any of the Post Office’s 11,500 branches, Royal Mail’s 1,200 Customer Service Points and 1,400 parcel postboxes.

To find your nearest Royal Mail drop-off point visit the website’s “services near you” page.

A Brief History of Royal Mail

Do Royal Mail pick up returns?

That’s not all, as Brits can choose to have their postie collect returns from home using the Parcel Collect service.

The Royal Mail website shares: “If you don’t fancy leaving home to send your return, no problem – we’ll pick up your parcel from your doorstep.

“Take the effort out of sending parcels and book a returns collection with us, using our Parcel Collect service.

“It’s totally free, we can bring any labels that you need if you don’t have a printer at home.

“Plus, if you’re making multiple returns, they can all be part of the same collection.

“You can also book an at-home collection via the Royal Mail app.”

How do you usually send parcels back with Royal Mail? (Image: Royal Mail)

Ricky McAulay, UK operations director at Royal Mail, explained: “We know customers want returns to be quick, simple and on their terms.

“That’s why Royal Mail has expanded the ways people can drop off parcels — from proof of postage at any postbox to thousands of new Royal Mail Shop outlets and parcel lockers across the UK.

“Whether you prefer to hand it to your postie at your doorstep or drop it off whilst going to work or doing some shopping, Royal Mail is making returns more convenient than ever.”