InPost tracking status
InPost “Ready to collect”: what it means
The short answer
Take actionYour parcel is in the InPost Locker or Shop and ready to pick up. You have 3 days (72 hours) to collect it, InPost sends a reminder with 24 hours left, and uncollected parcels go back to the sender.
When to act: If the compartment is empty, the code does not work or the parcel shows as collected when you did not collect it, file a complaint and we send it to InPost.
Also shown as: “Delivery day, yay!” · “Tick tock...”
What to do now
- 1
Find the QR code or collection code in your email, text or the InPost app.
- 2
Check the locker address in the message, as the parcel may have been redirected to a nearby locker or shop.
- 3
Collect it within 3 days: scan the code at the locker or use Remote Opening in the app; at an InPost Shop, show the QR code to staff.
- 4
If you cannot go in time, share the code with someone you trust.
- 5
If the compartment is empty or the code does not work, take photos of the locker screen and the compartment while you are there.
- 6
Still not sorted? File your complaint here. We write it with you and send it to InPost, so you do not have to chase it yourself.
Waiting at a post office, shop or locker with another courier
- USPS: Held at post office
- DHL: Awaiting Collection by Consignee
- UniUni: Failed delivery attempt, returning to the warehouse
- Cainiao: Waiting for Pick Up
- Evri: Ready for collection
- DPD: Being held at the depot
- Parcelforce: Available for Redelivery or Collection
- Canada Post: Available for pickup
- Purolator: Shipment available for pickup
- Canpar: Held for pickup
- Intelcom: Ready for pickup
- Australia Post: Awaiting collection
- StarTrack: At Delivery Depot
- Aramex: Ready for collection
- CouriersPlease: Ready for collection
- Team Global Express: Awaiting collection
- NZ Post: Ready to collect
- An Post: Your delivery is in D.S.U.
- DPD Ireland: Your parcel is held at the DPD depot
What does “Ready to collect” mean?
The collection message contains a QR code and a collection code, sent by email and text to the phone number you gave the retailer. With the InPost app you can open the compartment with Remote Opening instead. 'Tick tock...' is the reminder that one day is left.
InPost cannot extend the collection window for individual parcels. If you cannot go, share the QR code or collection code with someone you trust. If several parcels arrive at once, InPost may put them in one compartment, and the 72 hours run from that notification.
Why does InPost show it?
- The courier has delivered your parcel to the locker or shop
- Your parcel was redirected to a nearby locker or shop because the original one was full or unavailable
- A home delivery was moved to a nearby locker after a failed attempt
How long does it last?
After 72 hours the parcel is removed on a courier visit and sent back to the sender. InPost says it may still be there for a short while after the deadline, until the courier removes it.
Other InPost statuses
- Off it goesNormal
- It's close, stay tunedNormal
- It's on the moveNormal
- Locker full, we'll be backKeep an eye on it
- Contact the retailerTake action
- Parcel was refusedTake action
- Tracking not updatingKeep an eye on it
- Parcel being preppedNormal
Who is responsible for a late or missing parcel from InPost?
If you bought online from a business, the seller is usually responsible until the parcel reaches you. Under UK consumer law (the Consumer Rights Act), the goods stay at the seller's risk until you have them, unless you chose and booked the courier yourself. If you bought from a private seller on a marketplace such as Vinted, the platform's own rules decide refunds.
If you sent the parcel yourself, your contract is with InPost, under its terms. For labels bought in the InPost app or on its website, standard cover is the lower of the item's cost value or £50, and InPost Direct (formerly Yodel Direct) bookings include £50 cover.
Questions about “Ready to collect”
How long do I have to collect an InPost parcel?
3 days (72 hours) from the collection message, at both lockers and shops. InPost sends a reminder when 24 hours are left.
Can I extend my InPost collection time?
No. InPost says it cannot extend the window for individual parcels. Share your QR code or collection code with someone who can collect for you.
What happens if I don't collect my InPost parcel?
It is removed from the locker and sent back to the sender, and a refund or redelivery is then up to the retailer.
I didn't get a collection code. What should I do?
Check your spam folder and the mobile number on your retailer account, because InPost texts the number you gave the retailer. Parcels linked to your number also appear in the InPost app.
My InPost parcel shows as collected but I didn't collect it. What now?
First ask anyone you shared your code with, because InPost does not pay out if one of them collected it. For shop orders, the retailer deals with InPost. File a complaint on Complain.biz the same day and we send it to InPost.
Based on
- InPost help: Do I have 10 days or 3 days to collect my parcel?
- InPost: Parcel redirection
- InPost: help for Yodel and InPost customers (lockers, collection codes, couriers, limits)
- InPost blog: Don't ghost your parcels (3-day collection window, no extensions)
- InPost: Terms of Service (compensation, 72-hour collection, refusing parcels)
- InPost blog: Track or Treat (what each tracking update means, 48 and 72 hour guidance)
- InPost: Queries and Complaints Policy (claim deadlines, £50 compensation)
- legislation.gov.uk: Consumer Rights Act, section 29 (goods stay at the seller's risk until they reach you)
- Vinted: Refund Policy (2 days to report an issue, lost parcel after 25 business days)
- InPost Direct (formerly Yodel Direct): Terms and Conditions (£50 cover)