Parcel Box FAQs

A parcel box is a steel box with a lid that is securely mounted to either an exterior wall of your property, fence or garden wall, with a lid that can be opened to accept mail and parcels, to be securely held inside the parcel box, until such time as the owner can recover the contents.

This metal mailbox will keep parcels and other deliveries safe when you are not home to receive them. Secure parcel drop boxes such as these come in a variety of shapes, sizes, styles and colours, so you can pick one that works with your home or exterior decor.

To deliver a parcel, the lid is lifted, the parcel is put inside, onto the small parcel shelf inside, and as the lid closes the shelf moves to allow the parcel to drop into the secure compartment below, which is subsequently protected by the anti-fishing parcel shelf which slides back into place when the lid is subsequently opened next time the parcel box is used. This shelf therefore as well as offering a safe simple way to get the parcel into the box, also prevents theft from the top of the box, keeping the contents safe until you return to the box to remove the contents.

When you are ready to empty the parcel box, simply insert the key into the front lock, twist the lock to its unlocked position and pull the door open. Once the parcel and or letter content are removed from the parcel box, simply reverse the process, by closing the door, twisting the lock to the locked position and removing the key, remembering to keep the key somewhere safe and away from the parcel box when not in use.

This is a personal choice, but keep the following in mind for the best results:

• Security:  not too far from the front door or windows of the property is usually a good idea
• Visibility: easy to be seen from the entrance of the property so that your delivery driver or postman can see the box from a distance, from their vehicle or when on foot approaching your house
• Aesthetics: Ensure the position, and indeed the colour and style of the parcel box is in keeping with the property, wall, fence or wherever you choose to mount the box, so it is clearly visible, but without being an eyesore

The majority of secure parcel boxes are wall mounted to the side of the front door of the property for easy locating by both the parcel delivery driver and homeowner for recovery of the parcels and post.

Parcel boxes are waterproof in almost all instances, the lid of the parcel box has an overhang to prevent downward rainfall from entering the box, so all but the most ferocious of weather should keep the rain out of the box.  It is not however waterproof from submersion in water or for example if an oversized parcel or letter is misplaced in the parcel box or the parcel box is overfilled, and the lid cannot firmly close.  We recommend your parcel box is emptied daily, to ensure the prevention of being overfilled leading to this situation.

The metal secure parcel boxes can be painted.  These parcel boxes are of a steep construction and are weatherproof therefore we would recommend a suitable weatherproof paint suitable for painting on to steel and following the manufacturer's painting instructions for use.

As an alternative, the secure parcel boxes do come in a range of colours, so do review the range or parcel boxes online, as you may save yourself some work and additional costs by simply purchasing the parcel box in the colour you desire in the first place.

Yes, your parcel box is not restricted to simply parcels, you can accept anything that a standard letter box could such as letters and postcards as well as the largest parcels that a standard letter box could not.

If you regularly get oversized parcels, just be sure that you are aware of the maximum size of parcel that your parcel box can accept, and that this would be suitable for at least the large percentage of the parcels and deliveries that you expect to receive.

The answer to this depends on the size of the parcel box and the size of the parcels. Please check the measurements of the parcels you regularly receive.

There is a handy parcel size guide on the Royal Mail website which explains the standard sizes of their parcels, this may help you calculate the size of parcels you regularly receive are, and based on hoe many of these you get in between emptying the parcel box, this could help determine what size parcel box will suit your needs best.

Up to several standard-size small parcels from your usual delivery company and also several letters, postcards and flyers will easily fit into the parcel box without it being overfilled, and still able to have the parcel box lid securely closed.  Do take your own measurements to ensure the parcel box you order will meet your specific needs though.

Oversized non-standard parcels would need a much larger parcel box than that advertised on this website.

Also, we do not recommend perishable goods or foodstuffs are delivered into the parcel box.

Anything requiring a signature such as alcohol deliveries is unlikely to be left in your parcel box without express written permission or signature prior to the delivery being made.