A parcel letterbox lets couriers leave a parcel without you having to be at home. With parcel letterboxes this happens via a drop flap that lets the parcel fall into a sealed compartment. Below you can see how that mechanism works and what to look out for during installation.
With a parcel mailbox, everything revolves around the drop flap. The courier opens a flap on the outside, places the parcel inside and closes the flap. The parcel then falls down into a sealed parcel compartment. That compartment can only be opened again from the inside, with a key or combination lock. This way a parcel arrives safely without the front door having to be opened.
The difference from an ordinary mailbox lies in the drop-through space. A classic box is intended for envelopes and thin items. A parcel mailbox has a wider channel, so that boxes from a parcel service also fit through the drop flap. The parcel mailboxes in this guide are built around that idea: a wide drop flap at the top, a separate parcel compartment below.
Because the flap locks again after closing, no one can simply get to the contents. That makes the difference between a parcel waiting on the doorstep and a parcel that has been received safely.
Receiving parcels safely mainly means: the parcel is out of sight and out of reach of passers-by. With a parcel mailbox, a courier does not have to leave it behind the hedge or under the doormat. He deposits it through the drop flap, after which it disappears into the sealed compartment. You take it out later whenever it suits you.
The parcel mailboxes in this guide are made of aluminium, with a finish that can withstand wind and weather. For opening the parcel compartment there are variants with a combination lock, so you do not have to keep track of a loose key. Which model has which lock differs per version; you can see that with the specific model.
In practice it remains important that the courier closes the flap properly. A short instruction or a sticker saying 'please put parcels in the mailbox' helps. This way the drop flap is used as intended and the parcel remains safely received until you get home.
A parcel mailbox works best in a place that is clearly recognisable and accessible for the courier. Think of the front facade by the front door, a post by the driveway or a wall next to the gate. Make sure the drop flap can open freely and that there is room to slide a parcel in.
Also take the surface and the mounting into account. A sturdy wall or a fixed post prevents wobbling when opening and closing the flap. If you want the mailbox in the same shade as the facade, a wide colour palette is available, with more than 2000 RAL colours, depending on the chosen model.
Not sure which size or version suits your parcels and facade? Take your time to look at the options and find a sales point in your area for advice and installation. This way you choose a parcel mailbox that suits how your post and parcels arrive every day.
Further reading: Drop flap · Parcel mailbox · Find a sales point
A parcel letterbox works with a drop flap. The courier opens the flap, places the parcel inside and closes it again. The parcel falls into a sealed parcel compartment that only opens from the inside with a key or code lock. That is how a parcel is received securely, even when you are not at home.
Frequently asked questions
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