The difference between a pickup point and a parcel locker is who hands you the parcel. At a pickup point, a shopkeeper gives it to you during opening hours, in exchange for a code and often a photo ID. A parcel locker is a box you open yourself with a code or a QR code, often every day of the week. On the other hand, it takes smaller parcels and often keeps them for less time: with La Poste, the French postal service, 5 days in a Pickup Station locker versus 14 days at a pickup point (La Poste).
Pickup point and parcel locker: definitions
You choose when you order or send a parcel, from the list of points offered. Both are used to collect parcels and, depending on the network, to drop them off. For how it works in general, see everything about pickup points.
The pickup point
A partner shop (a tabac, or tobacconist, a convenience store, a dry cleaner) or a post office keeps your parcel. A member of staff hands it to you during opening hours, after checking your code and, often, your identity.
The parcel locker
A bank of lockers (locker, Pickup Station, Mondial Relay Locker, Amazon Locker, Vinted Go locker) installed in a station, a shopping centre or outside a shop. The locker opens with the code or QR code in the message telling you the parcel is ready: nobody hands you the parcel.
Difference between a pickup point and a parcel locker: comparison table
| Criterion | Pickup point | Parcel locker | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who hands over the parcel | A shopkeeper or a counter clerk | Nobody: the locker opens with a code | - |
| Opening hours | The shop's hours | Often 24/7, except in a shopping centre or a station | La Poste: receiving a Colissimo parcel at a pickup pointchecked on 20 October 2026 |
| To collect | Code, and often photo ID | Code or QR code | - |
| Holding period | Usually longer (La Poste: 14 days) | Usually shorter (La Poste: 5 days) | La Poste help: delivery to retail pickup points and Pickup lockerschecked on 20 October 2026 |
| Size and weight | Wider limits | Limited by the size of the lockers | - |
| Collection by someone else | Depends on the network's rules | With the code | - |
| Dropping off a parcel | Yes, depending on the network | Possible at some lockers | - |
Rows without a source describe how things generally work, with no figures. The figures are La Poste's, the only official source confirmed so far for these points.
Opening hours: the locker wins, with exceptions
La Poste lockers are open 24/7, except those that follow the opening hours of a shopping centre or a transport hub (La Poste). For Mondial Relay Lockers, especially those inside a shop, check Mondial Relay's terms. The opening hours of each locker are on its page in our directory.
A pickup point follows the shop's opening hours. Some open on Sundays:
Holding period: often shorter at a locker
| Network | Pickup point | Parcel locker | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colissimo, La Poste | 14 days at a pickup point | 5 days in a Pickup Station | La Poste help: delivery to retail pickup points and Pickup lockerschecked on 20 October 2026 |
| Mondial Relay | See Mondial Relay's terms | See Mondial Relay's terms | Mondial Relay: helpchecked on 20 October 2026 |
| Chronopost | See Chronopost's terms | See Chronopost's terms | Chronopost: helpchecked on 20 October 2026 |
| DPD | See DPD's terms | See DPD's terms | DPD France: questions from recipientschecked on 20 October 2026 |
| UPS Access Point | See UPS's terms | See UPS's terms | UPS France: tracking helpchecked on 20 October 2026 |
| Amazon Hub | See Amazon's terms | See Amazon's terms | Amazon: helpchecked on 20 October 2026 |
| Vinted Go | See Vinted's terms | See Vinted's terms | Vinted: help centrechecked on 20 October 2026 |
| Relais Colis | See Relais Colis's terms | See Relais Colis's terms | Relais Colis: frequently asked questionschecked on 20 October 2026 |
If you are going away for a few days or do not know when you can get there, choose a pickup point. The details for each carrier are in our guide to the holding period by carrier.
Size and weight: the limits of lockers
A parcel has to fit in a locker, so a locker accepts smaller sizes and lower weights than a counter. The exact limits depend on the network and are not given here until they are confirmed. Check them before choosing a locker:
- Mondial Relay, Point Relais® and Locker: terms and conditions of sale.
- Pickup Station (Chronopost, DPD): Chronopost help and DPD help.
- Amazon Locker: Amazon help. Vinted Go: Vinted help.
See also our guide on maximum size and weight.
Collection: photo ID or code
At a pickup point, the shopkeeper checks your collection code and, most of the time, your ID. At a locker, the code or QR code in the message telling you the parcel is ready is enough to open the box.
As a result, at a locker anyone with the code can collect the parcel. That is handy if you want to send someone else in your place, but otherwise keep the code to yourself. At a counter, collection by someone else follows the network's rules: see our guide on having someone else collect your parcel.
Sending or returning a parcel: pickup point or locker?
Pickup points usually accept parcels from their own network. Some lockers also do, depending on the network and the type of shipment: check the page for your shipment before you go. For the price, compare shipping prices. Without a printer, see our guide on dropping off a parcel without a printer.
Locker full, out of order or code refused: what to do?
- Check the parcel tracking: a parcel that cannot be placed in the planned locker is usually redirected, and the new point is shown. Track a parcel.
- With La Poste, when a pickup point closes, the parcel is made available at another point nearby or returned to the sender, and you get an email (La Poste).
- Code refused or locker that does not open: contact the carrier's customer service with the tracking number.
- See also locker full or pickup point closed.
Which should you choose? Our guide by situation
- You get home late or work unusual hours: parcel locker.
- Heavy or bulky parcel: pickup point.
- You are going away for a few days or do not know when you can get there: pickup point, with a usually longer holding period.
- Someone else has to collect it for you: parcel locker (the code is all they need) or a pickup point, depending on the network's rules.
- You sell on Vinted or Leboncoin, the French classifieds site: dropping off at a locker is possible depending on the carrier you choose.
- You want advice in person: pickup point.
The parcel lockers listed on our site
How many parcel lockers our directory lists, network by network. For networks tracked through OpenStreetMap, the list is incomplete.
| Network | Lockers | All points | Data source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mondial Relay | 12,040 | 18,735 | Network's official list |
| Amazon Hub | 1,368 | 1,370 | OpenStreetMap, incomplete list |
| Pickup | 848 | 901 | OpenStreetMap, incomplete list |
| Vinted Go | 424 | 427 | OpenStreetMap, incomplete list |
| La Poste | 131 | 19,875 | Network's official list |
| Relais Colis | 16 | 32 | OpenStreetMap, incomplete list |
| UPS Access Point | 9 | 16 | OpenStreetMap, incomplete list |
| GLS | 6 | 7 | OpenStreetMap, incomplete list |
| DHL | 4 | 4 | OpenStreetMap, incomplete list |
These figures count the points in our database, not the total number of points of each network. As of 12 October 2026: 12,698 retail pickup points, 15,000 parcel lockers and 13,823 post offices, local postal agencies and relais poste counters. Sources and method.
Find a parcel locker or pickup point near you
Parcel lockers in the largest cities, with their opening hours. For another address, use the search around me.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a pickup point and a parcel locker?
At a pickup point, a shopkeeper hands you the parcel during opening hours. A parcel locker is a box you open yourself with a code, often every day of the week, but for smaller parcels and with an often shorter holding period.
Is a parcel locker open 24/7?
Often, but not always. La Poste lockers are open 24/7, except those that follow the opening hours of a shopping centre or a transport hub (La Poste).
How long does a parcel stay in a locker?
With La Poste, 5 days in a Pickup Station locker, versus 14 days at a pickup point. For other networks, see the holding period by carrier.
What size of parcel fits in a Mondial Relay Locker?
The maximum size and weight are set out in Mondial Relay's terms of sale: check them before sending.
Do you need ID to collect a parcel from a locker?
Usually not: the code or QR code in the message telling you the parcel is ready opens the box. It is at a pickup point counter that ID is often requested.
Can someone else collect my parcel from a locker?
Yes, usually, if they have the collection code: the locker does not check identity. Only give it to someone you trust.
Sources
Official pages checked for this guide (in French). Carriers' terms can change: the notice saying your parcel is ready (text message, email, app) always prevails.
- La Poste help: delivery to retail pickup points and Pickup lockers, checked on 20 October 2026: 14 days at a pickup point, 5 days in a Pickup Station locker, parcel redirected or returned if the pickup point closes
- La Poste: receiving a Colissimo parcel at a pickup point, checked on 20 October 2026: lockers open 24/7, except for the opening hours of shopping centres and transport hubs
- Mondial Relay: help, checked on 20 October 2026: Locker holding periods and access to be read on the page, not reproduced here
- Mondial Relay: terms and conditions of sale, Start offer (January 2026), checked on 20 October 2026: weight and size limits to be read in the document, not reproduced here
- Chronopost: help, checked on 20 October 2026: holding periods and sizes to be read on the page, not reproduced here
- DPD France: questions from recipients, checked on 20 October 2026: holding periods and sizes to be read on the page, not reproduced here
- UPS France: tracking help, checked on 20 October 2026: holding period to be read on the page, not reproduced here
- Amazon: help, checked on 20 October 2026: holding period and sizes to be read on the page, not reproduced here
- Vinted: help centre, checked on 20 October 2026: holding period to be read on the page, not reproduced here
- Relais Colis: frequently asked questions, checked on 20 October 2026: holding period to be read on the page, not reproduced here
Written by the Relais autour de moi team, an independent site not affiliated with any carrier. All our guides: the parcel pickup point guide.
Find a pickup point near you
Pickup points, parcel lockers and post offices of every carrier, with today's opening hours.