What Is a PUDO Point and Should You Use One

PUDO is industry shorthand for pick up, drop off, and it describes the network of convenience stores, lockers and parcel points where you hand parcels over instead of a traditional Post Office or courier collection. You've almost certainly used one without knowing the name, and understanding the network is the key to a faster, cheaper drop-off routine.

What a PUDO point actually is

A PUDO point is any location that accepts parcels on behalf of a carrier, a corner shop that scans Evri parcels, an InPost locker in a car park, a newsagent that takes Royal Mail Local Collect parcels. They're everywhere, they keep long hours, and they've quietly become the default way parcels get dropped off in the UK.

The appeal over a Post Office

The Post Office is fine during its opening hours, but those hours don't always match when sellers actually pack. PUDO points, especially lockers, are open early, late and on weekends, which is why they've taken over. The convenience of dropping a parcel at 8pm on the way home is the whole appeal. Our drop-off comparison covers the options side by side.

Locker versus counter PUDO

PUDO points come in two flavours. Lockers are self-service and open 24/7, you scan a code and a door opens. Counter points are staffed, you hand the parcel over and it's scanned for you. Lockers win on hours, counters win on being able to take parcels that don't fit a locker compartment.

Which carriers use which networks

Each carrier has its own PUDO network. Evri uses ParcelShops, InPost uses its lockers and some shops, Royal Mail has Local Collect points and its own parcel boxes. You generally can't drop a Royal Mail parcel at an Evri ParcelShop, each network is carrier-specific, which is why multi-carrier sellers often use several networks.

Is there a fee?

In the standard case, no. Dropping a pre-paid parcel at a PUDO point is free, the cost is in the postage you already bought. The exceptions are collection services, where the courier comes to you for a fee, and some premium services. As a rule, drop-off is free, collection is paid, and our collection guide covers the paid side.

Size limits to know

Lockers have the strictest limits, fixed compartment sizes cap what you can send. Counter PUDO points usually take whatever the carrier's standard limits allow. If you sell bulky items, the locker network isn't your whole answer, and you'll want a counter or collection option for the big stuff.

The label and scanning

Every PUDO point starts the tracking with a scan, which is why a clean, scannable label is non-negotiable. A smudged barcode at a locker or counter means the parcel never registers as dropped off, and the tracking that protects you never starts. Our barcode guide covers keeping it scannable.

Should you use PUDO points?

For most sellers, yes, they're usually closer and open longer than the alternatives, and they're free. The only real caveat is matching the point to your parcel sizes and your carrier, and batching your drops so you're not making a trip per parcel. Get those right and PUDO points make dispatch genuinely easier.

Frequently asked questions

What does PUDO stand for? Pick up, drop off. It describes the network of shops and lockers where you hand parcels over, as opposed to a Post Office or collection.

Is it free to drop off at a PUDO point? Yes, dropping a pre-paid parcel is free in the standard case. Collection services, where the courier comes to you, are the paid option.

Can I drop any carrier's parcel at any PUDO point? No, networks are carrier-specific, so an Evri parcel goes to a ParcelShop and a Royal Mail parcel to a Local Collect point or Post Office.