Parcel box

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Until 2013, the term parcel box was mainly used for the public container developed by Deutsche Post AG for posting small parcels and parcels. The system gained in importance with increasing online trade . In addition, special additional boxes for receiving parcels are also referred to as parcel boxes.

term

Synonymous with the term parcel box are used:

It is difficult that the terms are not always used consistently and at the same time some of the terms in the past were used almost exclusively in connection with the dispatch facilities of Deutsche Post AG. In the meantime, however, there are several manufacturers of parcel boxes for receiving parcels as a supplement to the house mailbox , in which parcels usually do not fit.

Types of parcel reception

There are different ways to operate parcel boxes to receive parcels:

  1. As a facility that is exclusively assigned to one recipient address. In this case, the parcel box is attached to the front door of a single-family house or set up on its property.
  2. In multi-family houses, several recipient households can share a parcel box.
  3. Several parcel boxes, even of different sizes, can be combined in one location.

These parcel boxes can be differentiated according to the following criteria:

Approval

If the system is offered by a parcel service, no further approval is usually required. However, these systems are usually not accessible to other parcel services. In the case of systems from manufacturers who do not deliver parcels themselves, the parcel services usually request a deposit permit from the recipient in order to be exempt from any liability in the event of loss or damage.

Locking system

The parcel box is closed with a mechanical flap or throw-in device. The throw-in device is intended to prevent packages that have been thrown in from being removed again without authorization. Shipments of goods are thrown in. If the storage space in the box is large enough, several items can be thrown in. The recipient has a key to the storage space and can thus remove the items.

The parcel box has a door that is opened or can be opened when empty. The deliverer opens the parcel box door, puts the consignment inside and locks the door by pushing it shut or operating the mechanical lock so that the parcel box can only be opened again by the recipient with a key. After the recipient has removed the consignment, the door can be opened again by the deliverer in order to be able to deliver a new package.

The opening and closing of the parcel box is controlled by an electronic system. The deliverer and recipient have the appropriate access data. These can e.g. B. in the form of a code that must be entered via a display or transmitted to the lock using a key transponder.

Lineup

Parcel boxes can be set up individually or combined to form several units. However, the boxes can also be integrated with a single mailbox or in mailbox systems.

There are also parcel boxes with integrated Sonnerie, video and / or audio communication. A classic solar panel or a touch screen can be used.

Access

Parcel boxes can either only be accessible for one delivery company or for several delivery companies. They can either be permanently assigned to a recipient or used one after the other for different recipients. Both features can be combined with one another. If a parcel has already been placed in the parcel box, there is the option of another parcel service to then place further parcels in the box, provided there is still space. With all access options, the question of liability always arises, since anyone who has access to the parcel box can also remove parcels.

Normalization

In 2015 the European standard CEN / TS 16819: 2015 with the title “Postal Services - Parcel Boxes for End Consumption - Technical Features” was published, which specifies the technical specifications for parcel boxes intended for receiving parcels. The standard includes, among other things, the package sizes and security requirements.

The German Institute for Standardization has been working with several transport service providers on a uniform standard for parcel boxes for parcel reception since 2016. In addition to access to the boxes, the main issue is the question of liability if several deliverers open the box one after the other. When the DIN standard is ready, it should also be proposed as a European standard .

Germany

Parcel box

Parcel box (from the test phase 2007) in Frankfurt am Main in Gutleutstrasse (height approx. 160 cm)

A parcel box from DHL is a publicly accessible container that is provided with a flap for dropping in parcels and parcels. The parcel boxes are emptied once every working day (Monday to Saturday), the next emptying day is displayed on the parcel box. In contrast to the Packstation, the parcel box is not suitable for receiving shipments, but only for shipping.

Permitted shipments

Parcel box next to mailbox (2009)
Post 24/7 with parcel box

In principle, all franked parcels, parcels and mail order returns from Deutsche Post and DHL are suitable for placing in a parcel box. However, you can only insert items that do not exceed a maximum size of 50 cm × 40 cm × 30 cm and a weight of up to 31.5 kg for parcels and 2 kg for small parcels. If the postage is insufficient, there will be no delivery.

As with the mailbox, the customer does not receive a posting receipt. If an insured parcel is lost, the customer cannot prove that it has been thrown into the parcel box using a posting receipt such as that issued by Packstations and post offices. The required entry in the tracking system of Deutsche Post DHL takes place the next time it is emptied. For this reason, the carbon copy of parcel stamps or goods returns should be kept or the tracking number should be noted.

history

The parcel box testing began in September 2006 in Frankfurt am Main, Dortmund and Bonn. According to information provided by Deutsche Post, there are currently around 1000 boxes across Germany, primarily at Postbank branches .

accident

On October 1, 2007, a nine-year-old child from Dortmund climbed into a parcel box, another boy had locked the parcel box from the outside. Passers-by heard the child trapped in the box crying and alerted the fire department . After the incident, in which no one was injured, the post office reported that security measures would be tightened before further parcel boxes were set up.

DHL parcel box

The DHL parcel box is a parcel box for home owners that is mounted on the wall or placed next to the house. There are two design models in two sizes, and you can also choose whether the parcel box should also have an integrated letter box. Parcels can be delivered and picked up, and they are opened using a key chip. In contrast to other providers, however, this box can only be used by DHL deliverers, other parcel services cannot use it. Parcel boxes with several compartments for several recipients were tested in apartment buildings.

The CEO of Deutsche Post, Franz Appel, announced in 2019 that the parcel boxes would be discontinued due to insufficient demand.

SESAM HomeBox

The SESAM HomeBox is a carrier-independent system that can receive parcels from any parcel service and send returns. All that is required for delivery is the package code that is announced to the SESAM HomeBox in advance. To open it once, the package itself with the package code on it serves as a key. Multiple deliveries from several deliverers are also possible. This means that a SESAM HomeBox can be used jointly by several people without any problems.

Austria

As a package box or parcel box refers to the Austrian Post post.at Wellpappefaltkartons with click-closure that is available in several sizes typically buy from about 5 to 50 liters in post offices and serve as packaging for packages.

Post receiving boxes are offered in various sizes for installation in or near the residential building; on request, post.at can also install a large one free of charge in houses with more than 12 apartments; Mailboxes are too large in the absence of a recipient.

A pick-up station is used to deposit a parcel to be delivered at the post office in the self-service area, which is accessible around the clock. The recipient of the shipment can use the barcode on the notification slip to remove it from a compartment in the machine that opens for this purpose. 2014 started with 70 pick-up stations, for 2016 500 were planned across Austria.

From November 2016, post.at will be launching a new variant of flexible parcel delivery with the mail receipt box, which is fastened with a strap under the apartment door.

Switzerland

In Switzerland, various manufacturers call a parcel box or parcel compartment system a combined mailbox and parcel compartment system for apartment buildings. These systems are independent of the deliverer and are often used in larger buildings. Shipments of goods can be delivered safely and at any time, even if the recipient is not at home.

The Swiss Post described her as Paketbox My Post 24 . These machines are similar to the DHL Packstation. Functions for collection and posting including printing of labels and payment of fees are available. In addition, the compartments can be rented for one to seven days as a locker for handing over shipments. In 2015 there were 35 machines throughout Switzerland.

literature

Web links

Commons : Parcel box  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Parcel box to the mailbox. In: posttip.de. Accessed December 1, 2018 .
  2. ↑ - ( Memento from August 19, 2016 in the Internet Archive )
  3. ↑ http://www.burg.biz/live_website/html/default/309c9031390096150139f8ef44286e97.de.html
  4. ↑ http://www.max-knobloch.com/produkte/briefkasten_anlagen_kommunikations_systeme/paketbriefkasten_pakno.html
  5. ↑ http://www.paketbox.ch/technologie
  6. ↑ http://www.eurotransport.de/news/norm-fuer-paketboxen-din-arbeitskreis-schektiven-zugangsstandard-7682327.html
  7. ↑ http://www.sz-online.de/nachrichten/junge-in-paket-briefkasten-eineschlossen-1474950.html  ( page no longer available , search in web archives )  Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.@1@ 2Template: Dead Link / www.sz-online.de  
  8. ↑ https://www.dhl.de/paketkasten
  9. ↑ Birger Nicolai: DHL: Post subsidiary with its own parcel boxes for apartment buildings. In: welt.de . September 7, 2015, accessed October 7, 2018 .
  10. ↑ Oliver Voss: No need - Swiss Post stops parcel boxes for private households. In: tagesspiegel.de. February 3, 2019, accessed February 16, 2019 .
  11. ↑ HomeBox from SESAM - the innovative parcel box for everyone. Accessed October 7, 2019 (German).
  12. ↑ Packaging material> Paket Kasten, post.at, accessed October 21, 2016.
  13. ↑ Post receipt box, post.at, accessed October 21, 2016.
  14. ↑ Die Abholstation , post.at, accessed October 21, 2016.
  15. ↑ New mailboxes in front of apartment doors , orf.at, October 21, 2016, accessed October 21, 2016.
  16. ↑ https://www.schweizer-metallbau.ch/de/produkte/paketbox.html
  17. ↑ https://www.post.ch/de/privat/themen-az/sendung-aufhaben/pakete-aufhaben-und-abhaben- Lassen/my-post- 24
  18. ↑ https://www.aargauerzeitung.ch/aargau/kanton-aargau/jetzt-koennen-post-kunden-ihre-paeckli-beim-automat-abhaben-129190093