Royal Mail has expanded its app-based proof-of-posting service to cover international parcels, allowing customers to obtain a digital receipt when posting labelled items in any of the UK’s 115,000 postboxes.
The update builds on the electronic proof-of-posting feature introduced for UK parcels earlier this year and is aimed at simplifying exports for small businesses and consumers ahead of peak season.
Using GPS/location services, the Royal Mail app identifies the postbox being used. Customers then scan the parcel’s barcode in the app and tap to generate an instant confirmation of posting.
The service applies to international tracked, international signed, international tracked and signed, and respective heavier products.
Royal Mail said any item with a valid label that fits in a postbox can be sent this way; larger parcels can be dropped at other locations, including a new rollout of 3,500 solar-powered parcel units.
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With postboxes within half a mile of 98% of UK addresses, Royal Mail describes the network as the country’s most extensive parcel drop-off option.
Beyond home delivery and collection, the group now lists almost 24,000 parcel drop-off and collection points, comprising around 2,000 lockers, 7,800 Collect+ stores, 11,500 Post Office branches, 1,200 Royal Mail customer service points and 1,400 parcel postboxes.
“Proof of posting at postboxes gives people the peace of mind of a receipt combined with the convenience of dropping off their parcel at the end of their street without having to queue,” said Jack Clarkson, managing director of out of home and commercial excellence at Royal Mail.
“We’re delighted to expand the service to international parcels and make sending parcels abroad even more convenient… If you have a Royal Mail label on your parcel, and it fits, put it in a postbox and we’ll do the rest.”
Royal Mail said the move is part of a wider drive to make sending and receiving parcels more convenient by broadening out-of-home options alongside its delivery and collection services.
