Royal Mail Parcel Locker for Vinted

Royal Mail parcel lockers are one of the drop-off points Vinted lists for Royal Mail orders, and they are the easiest way to post without queuing. Most are open 24/7, they print the label for you free of charge, and the whole thing takes a couple of minutes.

Before you go

Pack and seal the parcel. Leave one flat side clear for the label.
Check it fits. Royal Mail has two types of locker with different compartment sizes (below). If your parcel is bigger, use a Post Office or Royal Mail shop instead.
Have your QR code ready, on your phone with the brightness up, or printed large and sharp.
Find a locker. Royal Mail’s “Find Royal Mail Locations” tool on its website shows lockers near you.

Step by step

Follow the instructions on the locker screen to send a parcel.
Scan your Vinted QR code. The locker prints your shipping label.
Stick the label flat on the parcel, with the barcode fully visible.
Scan the barcode on the label. A compartment door opens.
Put the parcel in and close the door firmly.
Enter your email address on the screen if offered, so you get a posting receipt.

Royal Mail says printing the label at the locker is free. The screens are the final word, so follow what they say if they differ slightly from the steps above.

Locker compartment sizes

Royal Mail lists two types of parcel locker:

Grey lockers: up to 34 cm wide × 61 cm high × 58 cm deep.
Red lockers: up to 42 cm wide × 43 cm high × 66 cm deep.

Most clothing, shoes and books fit easily. Bulky items may not, so measure first.

When parcels are collected

According to Royal Mail, collections from parcel lockers are from 16:00 Monday to Friday and 10:30 on Saturdays, with no collections on Sundays or bank holidays. A parcel dropped on Saturday afternoon will usually not move until Monday. Tracking on Vinted can take up to 48 hours to appear after you send.

If something goes wrong

The code or barcode will not scan. Do not hold it too close to the scanner, turn your screen brightness up, and make sure a printed label is not creased. You can also type the barcode number in by hand. If it still fails, use a Post Office or Royal Mail shop instead.

The label jams in the printer. The locker offers a reprint option, though Royal Mail warns the jam may happen again. Use another drop-off point if it keeps failing.

The door will not open. The locker is probably full. Try another locker or drop-off point.

You did not get a receipt. Check your junk folder. Royal Mail only emails a receipt if you enter your address on the screen.

Keep your proof

Royal Mail says the email receipt counts as basic evidence if there is ever a claim, and Vinted asks you to keep proof of shipping until the order is complete. Our guide to Vinted Royal Mail tracking and proof of postage explains what to keep.

Quick answers

Can I use a Royal Mail locker for a Vinted order? Yes. Vinted lists lockers as a Royal Mail drop-off point.

Do I need to print the label at home? No. The locker prints it for free when you scan your QR code.

Can I drop a parcel with no label in a locker? No. Royal Mail lockers only accept items with a barcoded label, and an item with no label is returned to the sender.

Is a locker the same as a postbox? No. A locker scans and labels your parcel. A postbox cannot, which is why Vinted says not to use one. See can you post a Vinted parcel in a postbox.