How Long Does InPost Take to Deliver

Understanding delivery times is essential for anyone using InPost services. Whether you are sending parcels to customers, returning goods or managing stock fulfilment, knowing how long InPost takes to deliver parcels helps you plan timelines, set expectations and ensure smooth operations. This guide explains standard delivery timings, the effect of service choices, and practical tips for both senders and recipients in the UK.

Overview of InPost Delivery Speeds

Most parcels sent via InPost arrive at their destination within two to four working days from the point they are collected from a locker. This includes both locker-to-locker and locker-to-address services. Typically, parcels deposited before 12 pm are collected on the same day. Later drop-offs are usually collected the following working day.

Standard Delivery Times

When using standard InPost services, parcels generally reach their destination within two to four working days after being collected from the locker. For locker-to-locker delivery, this is usually two to three days. For home delivery, meaning drop from a locker to a recipient’s address, it typically takes up to four working days. Tracking updates are provided throughout the journey via email, app or SMS.

Express and Next-Day Delivery

InPost now offers a next-day out-of-home delivery service in partnership with selected retailers. This next-day service provides delivery to a locker on the working day following drop-off, provided the parcel is submitted early enough. This option is ideal for urgent deliveries but is not yet available across all regions.

Collection and Transit Rules

Couriers generally visit each locker daily from Monday to Saturday. Parcels dropped off before midday are more likely to be collected the same day, while items deposited later are typically picked up the next working day. Parcels going to residential addresses may remain in transit slightly longer depending on routing and courier availability.

Weekend Deliveries

Standard collections and deliveries are carried out from Monday to Saturday. InPost lockers are operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, which means users can access them at any time. However, deliveries to lockers can still be affected by standard courier operating hours. Sunday collections and deliveries are not typically included.

Holding Period Before Return to Sender

Once a parcel arrives in a locker, the recipient has 48 hours to collect it. If the parcel is not retrieved within that timeframe, it is automatically returned to the sender. Reminder notifications are usually sent out 24 hours before the deadline to encourage timely collection.

Factors That Can Affect Delivery Time

There are several factors that can influence how long InPost takes to deliver. High seasonal demand, weather disruptions, road traffic, or lockers reaching full capacity can all lead to minor delays. InPost aims to resolve delays as quickly as possible and maintains active tracking throughout each stage of the delivery.

Timings in Practice

In practical terms, delivery speeds can vary slightly depending on your location and the time of day the parcel is dropped off. In some urban areas, parcels may be delivered to lockers as early as the next morning, while in rural regions it may take closer to the upper end of the standard delivery window.

Delivery Speed Compared to Other Services

InPost’s delivery speed is comparable to standard 48-hour tracked services offered by other couriers. While it may not always match the speed of premium next-day courier options, it offers significant convenience through flexible locker access, digital tracking and simplified returns. It is particularly effective for ecommerce orders where customer flexibility is important.

Ecommerce and Business Use

For ecommerce sellers, offering InPost as a delivery method helps reduce missed deliveries and allows customers to receive orders at their own convenience. It also improves return management. Next-day locker delivery is now available through selected partnerships, offering even more flexibility for sellers working to tight dispatch windows.

Summary

In general, InPost standard delivery takes between two and four working days, depending on the time of drop-off and delivery method. Parcels left in lockers before midday are typically collected the same day. Locker-to-locker deliveries tend to arrive within two to three days, while locker-to-home deliveries may take up to four. With next-day services now available in some areas, InPost provides a practical and flexible option for modern deliveries. Parcels must be collected within 48 hours of locker delivery, or they will be returned to the sender.