Post Office and DPD expand international delivery services to 4,100 branches

The Post Office and DPD have on Thursday announced an expansion of their partnership with international delivery services.

Following a successful trial at 300 post offices, customers wanting to send parcels abroad can now choose from ‘DPD Classic’, ‘DPD Direct Lite’ and ‘DPD Air Classic & Air Express’ services. The international delivery services are now available at 4,100 post offices across the UK.

The Post Office and DPD partnership began in 2021 and already includes ‘Click and Collect’ and Next Day delivery services within the UK.

This announcement follows a virtual Postmaster Conference which took place on 4 March, organised and hosted by postmasters. The Post Office outlined it remained focused on expanding Mails and Parcels services to more branches, ensuring customers have access to the best-in-market, safe, and convenient options for shipping, pickup, and drop-off—both online and in-branch.

“As part of delivering our ‘New Deal for Postmasters’ it’s vital that we strengthen postmasters’ offer to customers. Expanding our already successful partnership with DPD is a demonstration of this,” Neil Brocklehurst, Post Office acting chief executive, said.

“In today’s fast-paced world, customers and businesses expect international parcels to reach their destination in a matter of days and having DPD international delivery services available provides them with the options to meet their needs.”

Elaine Kerr, DPD UK chief executive, commented: “We really value our relationship with the Post Office and introducing international services is the logical next step, with online and buy-in-branch now well established. We have the largest delivery network in Europe and deliver to over 200 destinations worldwide.

“Our approach is designed to make it easy and affordable to find the right international service with free tracking included and duty and customs made as straightforward as possible.”

A four-week trial has been running since February to get postmasters feedback on guides and other self-help tools to support them in selling and promoting DPD international services in branch.

“It’s already been a great experience,” Phil Ballantyne, peer support postmaster from Appleby, and who was part of the trial said.

“I’ve been able to save customers £3, they are getting a better service, and the branch is receiving even better remuneration compared to alternative services.”