From now until 30 May 2021, Royal Mail will collect up to five parcels a day for free, on top of postage, from consumers across the UK with Parcel Collect.

In order to use the service, which normally includes a pick-up charge of 72p for a parcel or 60p for a return item, customers simply need to ensure they have already paid the correct postage to send their item.

If an item does not have pre-paid postage, customers are able to pay for their postage online using Click & Drop available by visiting send.royalmail.com or via the Royal Mail App.

Customers must book a collection via Parcel Collect. When a postman or postwoman collects the parcel, the customer will receive an email notification that acts as proof of postage.

Launched in October 2020, Parcel Collect has enabled postmen and postwomen to collect parcels and returns from customers while they carry out their daily round. As well as offering even higher levels of convenience, the move enables online sellers and online shoppers to mail or return a pre-paid item by post from the comfort of their own home. Since launch, postmen and postwomen have collected over one million parcels.

As part of the service, postmen and postwomen will collect a parcel from the customer’s door or nominated safe place. Parcel Collect is also available for pre-paid return items.

Royal Mail can collect up to five parcels at a time. Parcel Collect is available six days a week and can be booked up to five days in advance and up to midnight the day before. 

Nick Landon, Chief Commercial Officer at Royal Mail, said: “The introduction of Parcel Collect has been incredibly successful. This promotion is an opportunity for all consumers across the UK to try out this fantastic service free of charge. Parcel Collect is part of our commitment to continuously make our services more convenient as we re-invent the way we deliver to and from our customers.”