Royal Mail makes huge change to deliveries – and it will help customers

Royal Mail posties will now be able to leave your parcel in a safe place if you know you’re not going to be home, instead of having to return it to the nearest depot

Royal Mail has introduced a “safe place” option for deliveries in a huge update for customers.

Your parcel will be left in a specific spot of your choosing if you know you’re not going to be home, instead of the postie having to return it to the nearest Royal Mail depot. This means customers shouldn’t need to go out and collect their package, or arrange redelivery.

If you’re expecting a delivery, you’ll be able to use the Royal Mail app to set your safe place. Some companies also give you the option at point of order of having your item delivered to a requested safe place.

Guidelines on the Royal Mail website state your safe place will need to be somewhere that is weatherproof, easy to access, and out of sight – but you won’t be able to choose a recycling bin as your safe place. This service is available on all non signature barcoded parcels, except age and ID verification products.

The postie should leave you a “Something for You” card confirming where they’ve left your item. You may also get an email or text notification, and sometimes a photo, with information about which specific safe place location has been used.

If the item can’t be left in your safe place, Royal Mail may try to leave it with your neighbour. The update puts Royal Mail in line with other delivery firms such as Amazon, DPD, Evri, and Yodel, all of which already allow customers to set a safe place for packages.

Nick Landon, chief commercial officer at Royal Mail, said: “Because they deliver to every house in the UK so frequently, no-one knows better where their customers like parcels to be left if they are not in than a postie. Now we’re making that delivery service even better by giving everyone the ability to record their favourite safe place on the Royal Mail app.

“It won’t stop there, though. We are working on additional options to make deliveries even more convenient, such as a preferred neighboring address and additional options for customers with accessibility needs.”