InPost Locker Shipping for Small Sellers: How It Works and What It Costs

InPost's network of self-service parcel lockers has become a popular drop-off option for UK sellers, particularly on marketplaces. The appeal is obvious: no queues, 24/7 access and lockers in supermarkets and petrol stations. But the economics and the label format both need understanding before you make it your default.

How InPost locker shipping works

You buy postage through a marketplace or InPost directly, receive a label with a QR code, and deposit the parcel in a locker by scanning that code. The locker opens, you place the parcel inside, and InPost collects it on a scheduled route. There's no counter, no queue and no opening-hours constraint.

Drop-off vs collection economics

InPost's drop-off is generally free or included in the postage, which makes it compete directly with Royal Mail Local Collect and Post Office drop-offs. The advantage over a collection service like Parcel Collect is that there's no collection fee, you just need to reach a locker.

Size limits are the main constraint

InPost lockers have fixed compartment sizes, which caps the parcel dimensions and weight you can send through them. Larger or heavier parcels simply won't fit, so locker shipping is really a small-parcel solution. If most of your items are compact, that's no problem; if you sell anything bulky, you'll need a fallback carrier.

The label and QR code format

InPost labels vary by how you buy postage: some are full shipping labels, others are a QR code you show or scan at the locker. Where a physical label is required, it prints in a standard format that works on a 4x6 thermal printer. Where it's a locker QR code, the code itself is what matters, so it needs to be printed or displayed clearly enough to scan.

Tracking and delivery speed

InPost provides tracking from locker deposit through to delivery, with delivery typically within two to four days for standard services. It's comparable to the tracked economy services from Royal Mail and Evri, which makes it a credible alternative rather than a clearly faster or slower option.

When lockers beat the Post Office

If a locker is closer or open when a Post Office isn't, InPost wins on convenience. That evening drop-off window is the real killer feature for sellers who pack after work. Our Click & Drop vs Post Office guide covers the same convenience-versus-cost logic from the Royal Mail side.

Is InPost right for your operation?

InPost suits sellers of compact, low-to-mid-value items who value 24/7 drop-off and are near a locker. It's not a fit for bulky goods, fragile items that need careful handling, or anything over the compartment limits. As with every carrier decision, the sensible approach is to use it where it fits rather than as a single universal choice.

Frequently asked questions

Is InPost drop-off free? Yes, InPost locker drop-off is generally included in the postage, with no separate fee, unlike collection services which charge per parcel.

What size parcels fit in an InPost locker? Lockers have fixed compartment sizes that cap parcel dimensions and weight, so they're best for compact, small-to-medium parcels.

Do I need to print a label for InPost? It depends on how you buy postage. Some InPost parcels use a locker QR code, while others need a printed label in a standard 4x6 format.