When you search for "Package pick ups", you usually have one of two problems: either you have a box ready to send and you don't want to leave your house, or you missed a delivery and need to go find your parcel. At ParcelParcel, we know that finding the right package pick up service or location can be frustrating. This guide explains how to get a driver to your door (Sending) and how to retrieve your items (Receiving) without the headache.
Chantal has been writing about logistics topics for almost two decades and has worked for major international carriers.
If you are a business or an individual sending a parcel, you don't always have time to visit a drop-off point. You need the courier to come to you.
When you book a shipment with ParcelParcel, scheduling a pickup is part of the process. Whether you use DHL, FedEx, TNT, or UPS, you can select a specific time window for the driver to arrive at your home or office.
Book Online: Enter your weight and dimensions.
Select "Pickup": Choose a date and a time window (e.g., 10:00 - 14:00).
Prepare the Box: Ensure the label is attached before the driver arrives.
Specific carrier rules:
Package pick up UPS: You can schedule a "On-Call Pickup" online. If you have a prepaid label, there is sometimes a small fee for residential pickups unless you book through a platform like ParcelParcel.
Package pick up USPS: The US Postal Service offers free pickups during your regular mail delivery, but you must submit a request online ("Carrier Pickup") at least one day in advance.
Pro Tip: Drivers cannot call you before arrival. They follow optimized routes. Ensure your doorbell works and someone is available during the selected window.
If you came home to a "Sorry we missed you" note, you need to find where your package is held for pick up.
Traditionally, you would go to the local post office. Today, modern couriers use a network of local shops (pharmacies, grocery stores) known as Pick Up Locations.
UPS: Uses "UPS Access Points".
DHL: Uses "DHL ServicePoints".
FedEx: Uses "FedEx Ship Centers" or partner locations.
If you search for "package pick up near me", do not just drive to the nearest depot. Check the tracking number first! It will tell you exactly which specific shop or locker holds your item.
To successfully pick up packages at post office or a retail point, you must bring:
Photo ID: Passport or Driver's License (matching the name on the package).
The Notification Slip: The paper left by the driver (or the digital barcode on your phone).
Proof of Address: Sometimes required if your ID address doesn't match the package.
Understanding the difference between a "Drop Box" and a "Service Center" is vital.
Service Centers / Hubs: These are large courier facilities. You can usually pick up missed deliveries here, but they are often located in industrial areas outside the city.
Retail Partner Locations: These are convenience stores (e.g., a bodega or newsstand) that handle package pick up UPS or DHL services. They have better opening hours (often evenings and weekends) than traditional post offices.
Why struggle with separate logins for package pick up USPS, UPS, and FedEx?
When you ship with ParcelParcel, we act as your single point of contact.
Automatic Scheduling: We book the driver for you.
Proactive Monitoring: If a pickup fails (e.g., driver couldn't find the house), our support team notices and helps you reschedule immediately.
Multiple Carriers: Switch between DHL, FedEx, and UPS pickups in one dashboard.
Skip the line. Let the driver come to you. Don't waste time looking for parking at the post office. Book your shipment with ParcelParcel and schedule a hassle-free pickup from your home or office today.
If you book directly with a carrier (like UPS or FedEx) as a consumer, they often charge a "Extra fee”. However, when you book through ParcelParcel, the pickup cost is often negotiated into our discounted rates.
Did this answer help?
Usually, no. Most carriers require you to book the pickup before a specific cut-off time (e.g., 10:00 AM) to get a driver the same day. In most cases, if you book in the afternoon, the pickup will be scheduled for the next business day.
Did this answer help?
If you already have a prepaid label (e.g., a return label from Amazon), you can go to the UPS website, select "Schedule a Pickup," and enter the tracking number from the label. This often waives the pickup fee.
Did this answer help?
Yes, but it is strict. They usually need:
Their own ID.
A copy of your ID.
A signed letter from you authorizing them to collect the package.
Did this answer help?
Most locations hold packages for 5 to 7 days. If you do not collect it by then, it is marked as "Unclaimed" and returned to the sender. You will not get a refund on shipping costs.
Did this answer help?
You can instantly check the shipping costs through our rate calculator. Enter the weight, dimensions, and destination country of your shipment, and you will see all available shipping options along with their respective delivery times. The calculator can be used to compare shipping rates for both export and import shipments.
If you need help calculating a shipping rate, watch the video below. Click on the 
button to play the video and the 
icon to view the video in fullscreen.
Did this answer help?
Shipping costs are calculated based on dimensions (LxWxH in cm), weight (in kg), and the destination country. Both the actual weight (as shown on the scale) and the volumetric weight are considered.
The volumetric weight is the weight calculated based on the space your shipment occupies in the plane. The higher of the two weights (volumetric or actual weight) is used to calculate the shipping rate. You don't need to calculate this yourself; our calculator does it for you.
Did this answer help?
You can use the discount code PP10 for 10% discount on the transportation costs of your first shipment. You can apply the discount code during the checkout process (instructions).
Did this answer help?
Whether additional costs apply depends on whether your shipment stays within the European Union or is sent to/from a country outside the European Union. Below, you can see the additional costs for each situation.
Within the European Union
If, for example, you send a shipment from the Netherlands to Italy (within the EU), there will be an additional 21% VAT on the shipping costs.
Furthermore, if your shipment stays within the European Union, you won't have to deal with any import duties or customs clearance fees because your shipment doesn't go through customs. Please note that the European Union is not the same as Europe.
View here all the countries that are part of the European Union. For example, Switzerland is part of Europe but not part of the European Union.
Outside the European Union
If, for example, you send a shipment from the Netherlands to the United States, there will be no VAT (0%) applied to the displayed shipping rates.
However, there might be import duties levied by customs in the destination country if you send a shipment to/from a country outside the European Union. Typically, customs costs are charged to the recipient. This is known as Delivered At Place (DAP) in logistics terminology.
Customs is a government agency that levies import duties in certain cases to protect the local market. As a company, you can also ship using Delivered Duty Paid (DDP), which means any customs costs will be charged to you as the sender.
If you have any questions about this topic, feel free to contact us. Additionally, you can read everything about import duties, VAT, and the customs clearance process in this blog.
Did this answer help?
A customs invoice is a form where all the goods you want to ship are specified. This invoice includes an English description of the goods, along with their corresponding value and weight.
The contents of your shipment must be specified per type of product you're sending to avoid delays at customs. A customs invoice is always prepared in quadruplicate in accordance with customs guidelines.
When is a customs invoice required?
A customs invoice is only required for shipments to/from countries outside the European Union (e.g., Netherlands - United States). If your shipment stays within the European Union (e.g., Netherlands - Italy), your shipment will not go through customs, and therefore, a customs invoice is not required.
Additionally, document shipments are not subject to customs, so if you're sending a document to a country within/outside the European Union, no customs invoice is needed.
Please note that not all goods can be shipped to every country. You can find a list of goods that cannot be sent via ParcelParcel on this page.
Do I need to create a customs invoice myself?
If you're sending a shipment to/from a country outside the European Union, it's mandatory to include a customs invoice with the shipment. We provide free support in creating a customs invoice.
You can easily generate a customs invoice through our shipping platform. The customs invoice will be automatically generated based on the content you specified during your booking.
Did this answer help?
You can import just as easily as export via ParcelParcel.
Did this answer help?
You can find a list of goods that cannot be shipped via ParcelParcel on this page.
Did this answer help?
