What Is Relay Point Delivery?

Relay point delivery is a convenient alternative to home delivery where your parcel is sent to a nearby collection point — typically a local shop, newsagent, supermarket, or service station — rather than directly to your home address. You then collect the parcel at a time that suits you, within the collection window offered by the relay point.

This model has become increasingly popular across Europe, offering flexibility for people who aren't always home to receive deliveries, and reducing failed delivery attempts for carriers.

Step-by-Step: How the Process Works

  1. Choose a relay point at checkout: When shopping online, you select a relay point near your home, workplace, or any convenient location as your delivery address.
  2. The seller ships your parcel: The retailer dispatches your order just as they would for a home delivery, but the destination is the relay point's address.
  3. The carrier delivers to the relay point: The carrier (such as Mondial Relay, Colissimo, or DPD) delivers the parcel to the chosen relay point location, usually within the estimated delivery window.
  4. You receive a notification: Once the parcel arrives, you'll receive an SMS or email with a collection code or barcode.
  5. You collect at your convenience: Visit the relay point during its opening hours, present your ID and collection code, and pick up your parcel. You typically have 10 to 14 days to collect.

Why Choose Relay Point Delivery?

  • Flexibility: Relay points often have extended opening hours — including evenings and weekends — making collection much easier than waiting at home.
  • No missed deliveries: Since the parcel waits for you at the relay point, there's no risk of missing a courier at the door.
  • Often cheaper: Relay point delivery is frequently less expensive than home delivery for both senders and recipients.
  • Eco-friendly: Consolidating deliveries to a single location reduces the number of individual delivery runs, cutting fuel consumption and carbon emissions.
  • Secure: Your parcel is stored safely at the relay point until you collect it, with identity verification required on collection.

Who Can Use Relay Point Delivery?

Relay point delivery is available to almost everyone. It's particularly useful for:

  • People who work during typical delivery hours
  • Those without a secure letterbox or parcel locker at home
  • Anyone who wants to avoid the hassle of rescheduling missed deliveries
  • Businesses sending high volumes of parcels who want to reduce return rates

What Happens If You Don't Collect?

If you don't collect your parcel within the allotted time (usually 10–14 days depending on the carrier), the relay point will return it to the carrier's sorting facility. The parcel will then typically be returned to the sender. You may be charged a return shipping fee depending on the retailer's or carrier's policy.

Key Things to Bring When Collecting

  • A valid photo ID (passport, national ID card, or driving licence)
  • Your collection notification (SMS, email, or printed barcode)
  • The parcel number or tracking reference

Summary

Relay point delivery is a practical, flexible, and cost-effective way to receive parcels. Whether you use Mondial Relay, Colissimo Relais, or another network, the process is straightforward and designed to fit around your schedule rather than the other way around.