Living in a communal community such as an apartment building, condo complex, mobile home park, or condo complex can make it difficult to receive large parcels.

The USPS parcel locker can be found in a neighborhood mailbox. This allows mail carriers to securely place larger packages that won’t fit into smaller mailboxes. Parcel lockers can be either private or USPS-owned. USPS provides locks and keys.

Mail carriers may leave large parcels in communal mail areas if you own an apartment, condo, mobile home park or private community.

You can basically say that if you send something too large to your shared mail center, it simply sits there, unsecured.

USPS parcel storage lockers aim to eliminate this issue.

Parcel lockers are not only a peace-of-mind for residents but also decrease post delivery headaches for Postal Service such as lost packages or claims.

USPS also delivers parcels via two different types:

For these, the Postal Service provides each resident a lock and three keys, and an individual parcel locker.

Per the USPS website, residents are welcome to make additional key copies if needed.

Additionally, parcel lockers could operate differently. For example, a resident may be given a key that will allow them to access their parcel from the mail.

USPS does not assign parcel lockers to individuals in this case.

There are private parcel lockers that you can own, where the owner of your property holds all power.

The property owner will need to provide keys and locks. They may also have systems for notifying neighbors about parcels or retrieving them.

What cluster boxes your building has installed will affect how to retrieve packages from parcel lockers.

When there are separate parcel lockers per residence and every resident has a unique key, you can access your parcel storage as frequently as you’d like.

There’s a good chance that you tracked the package. Once your USPS tracking status reads “Delivered”/ “Delivered To a Parcel Locker”, you can check it.

Then, you simply use the key in the lock and open it up.

If your community or building doesn’t have individual parcel lockers they might leave a key inside your mailbox.

You will receive an identifying number, letter or combination of both. This information can be taken to the appropriate parcel locker.

You will then need to use the key inside the lock. Next, you’ll want to grab your parcel and put the key into the locker.

Also, private parcel lockers could have different retrieval methods. You may need the key to retrieve your package from someone working at a desk.

You will need to have a USPS key in order to open the parcel locker.

Although lock mechanisms are built into most locker units, it is possible to rest easy knowing that each resident leaves the area, both the locks and keys are reset.

Moreover, the Postal Service allows you to make copies of the key, at your own expense, with no limit on the number of copies.

If your USPS tracking indicates that your package was delivered to a parcel locker, then this will help you locate your package.

For security, accessibility, and size reasons mail carriers could choose to drop packages off in parcel lockers.

You can be sure your package will remain safe and sound until you are able to retrieve it with parcel lockers

Yes, there are USPS parcel lockers at the Post Office as part of the PO Box system, but those are only for PO box holders.

Instead, parcel locks for non-PO boxes holders can be found at apartment/condos as well as other communities that make up a cluster box unit.

“Cluster box”, however, is an umbrella term that refers to the collection of mailboxes found in common areas.

If you’re new to an apartment or other residential community, and you’re not sure where to find your parcel box, try looking right where the cluster of mailboxes are located.

Yes, parcel lockers are much safer than simply leaving your package in an unsecured area.

The security and safety of parcel lockers can be used as a immediate deterrent to any potential pirates.

Is it possible to pick the locks of parcel lockers? Although it is possible to pick parcel locker locks, the effort required and attention that would attract, particularly in busy areas such as cluster boxes, are not small.

For individual parcel lockers, you’ll need your USPS key to unlock the parcel locker.

Don’t forget to mention that your parcel locker won’t allow you access until everything is cleared up.

To get another key, simply go to the Post Office and explain what happened, your name, address, and parcel locker number.

The USPS will likely next send someone to replace the lock and give new keys.

However, USPS will not, for safety and security reasons, simply issue you new keys to the old lock.

You can read our USPS Delivery Instructions posts to find out if USPS parcels are insured and what to do if a package is stolen.

USPS parcel storage lockers can be used for postal mail delivery, as well.

This is a trend that will continue to grow in popularity for larger mailboxes. They are commonly located in apartments/condo buildings as well as shared residence communities.

A Parcel Locker is a unit that is installed either within a CBU or alongside neighborhood delivery and collection box units or in conjunction with PO Boxes in a retail facility. These units are for package and parcel deliveries. Dec 22, 2021

In the event that the package is correctly scanned and returned, “Delivered, Parcel Locker” signifies that the parcel was in a container or box located in the vicinity of your mailbox. A key, that should have been included in your mailbox and you are able to use to retrieve the parcel, will be left.

You’re tracking a mailpiece and the status shows “Delivered/Parcel Locker.” What does that mean? February 23, 2017, 00:00 – This might mean your recipient uses a parcel locker (OPL) or a cluster box unit.

This is most likely due to the carrier not delivering your package. If this happens contact your local post office with your name, address, and the package tracking number. USPS’s package scanners now include GPS, which will show the exact location of the USPS carrier when it delivered the package.

.What Is A Usps Parcel Locker In 2022? (Your Full Guide)