Post without going to the post office: home collection with DHL, UPS and FedEx
Post without going to the post office: home collection with DHL, UPS and FedEx
Sending parcels without going to the post office isn’t just possible: it has become the most popular option for individuals and businesses in Italy.
How to post items without going to the post office: 3 alternatives
If you’ve ever spent 40 minutes queuing at the post office to send a parcel, you’ll already know what we’re talking about. There’s a quicker, often cheaper alternative that involves no queuing: home collection by an express courier.
With SpedizioneComoda, you can book your parcel delivery online in just a few minutes — DHL, UPS or FedEx will collect the parcel directly from your home or office, on any floor, with no additional collection charges.
How much time is wasted at the Post Office?
According to estimates by Altroconsumo, the average waiting time at Poste Italiane counters exceeds 20 minutes in urban centres, with peaks of 40–60 minutes at busy times (end of the month, the run-up to Christmas, Monday mornings).
In addition to this:
- limited opening hours (usually 8.30 am–1.30 pm, with some branches open in the afternoon)
- the requirement to physically take the parcel to the post office
- separate queues for postal and financial transactions
- deliveries cannot be made at weekends to most locations
Home collection cuts out all these steps: you book online, pack the parcel, and wait for the courier.
The 3 alternatives to the post office collection point
There are three ways to post items without having to go to a post office in person:
1. Home collection (the most convenient option)
The courier will come to collect the parcel from the address you have provided — your home, office or shop. This is included in the delivery price, with no extra charges. You can specify a preferred time slot (morning or afternoon) and leave specific instructions (intercom, porter, floor).
2. Collection points and courier lockers
DHL, UPS and FedEx have a network of collection points (tobacconists, newsagents and partner shops) and self-service lockers where you can drop off your parcel, already packed and labelled. This is a handy option if you’re flexible with your timing and there’s a collection point near you.
3. Delivery to a courier branch
Each courier has its own branches across the country. Their network is not as extensive as the Post Office’s, but they often have longer opening hours and there are hardly any queues. Ideal for urgent deliveries or when home collection isn’t available in your area.
How home collection works: step by step
- Go to SpedizioneComoda.com and enter the postcode of the origin and destination
- Enter the weight and dimensions of the parcel
- Compare the rates charged by DHL, UPS and FedEx and choose the service
- Enter your collection address and your preferred time slot
- Pay online by card or PayPal
- Print (or download to your smartphone) the label and stick it on the parcel
- The courier will come and collect it — usually by the next working day
There’s no need to register. You can track your parcel in real time using the link you’ll receive by email.
Poste Italiane vs private couriers: a direct comparison
| Italian Post Office | Private courier services (DHL/UPS/FedEx) | ShippingComfortable | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home collection | No (only certain premium services) | Yes, included | Yes, always included |
| Opening hours | Mon–Sat 8.30 am–1.30 pm | Mon–Fri, set time slots | Book online whenever you like |
| Tracking | Limited | In real time | In real time |
| Tempi Italia | 3–7 working days | 1-2 working days | 1-2 working days |
| International deliveries. | Yes (EMS, registered post) | Yes, extensive coverage | Yes, over 220 countries |
| Insurance | Limited | Available | Available at checkout |
| Price (5 kg pack, IT) | ~€9–12 | From €6 | From €3.65 |
In short: sending parcels without having to go to the post office using SpedizioneComoda saves you time, money and effort.
Prices are indicative and exclude VAT. The actual price depends on weight, dimensions and destination.
When is it still worth going to the Post Office?
To be honest: there are cases where Poste Italiane remains the most practical choice:
- Registered post and court documents — legally binding services that only Poste can offer
- Small items weighing less than 2 kg sent to Italy — the price for standard post may be competitive
- Cash-on-delivery collections with payment at the counter
- Documents with certified return receipt (AR)
For everything else — parcels, international shipments, goods and e-commerce — private couriers are almost always faster, cheaper and more convenient.
How much does it cost to send a parcel without going to the post office?
| Delivery | Weight / dimensions | From |
|---|---|---|
| Small parcel in Italy | 5 kg / 30×20×20 cm | €9,65 |
| Standard parcel in Italy | 15 kg / 50×40×30 cm | €10,50 |
| Parcel to Germany | 10 kg | €12,90 |
| Delivery to the USA | 5 kg | €29,00 |
| Delivery to Australia | 5 kg | €38,00 |
It’s also possible to send parcels abroad without going to the post office…
Prices are indicative and exclude VAT. Check the exact quote using the calculator.
Calculate the cost of your parcel now
Every day, thousands of Italians choose to post items without going to the post office, booking online in less than two minutes. Use the SpedizioneComoda calculator Compare DHL, UPS and FedEx in under a minute. No registration required; home collection is always included.
💬 Do you have a question? Chat with Sophia on WhatsApp — our assistant responds straight away, even outside office hours.
Frequently asked questions about how to post items without going to the post office
Can I post items abroad without going to the post office?
Yes. Home collection is available for all international shipments via DHL, UPS and FedEx — Europe, the USA, Asia, Australia and over 220 countries. The procedure is the same as for domestic shipments: book online, and the courier will come to collect the parcel.
Is there an extra charge for home collection?
No. With SpedizioneComoda, collection is always included in the delivery price, with no extra charges. The price you see at checkout is the final price (excluding VAT if you have a VAT number).
What time does the courier come round?
When you make your booking, you can specify whether you’d prefer a morning (8–13) or afternoon (13–18) collection. The courier will not provide an exact time: on the day of collection, you will receive a notification by email or text message. If you are not at home, you can leave instructions with the caretaker or in a safe place.
What happens if the courier can’t find the parcel?
If the courier is unable to collect the parcel (no one at home, parcel not ready, incorrect address), a second attempt will be made the following day. If the second attempt is unsuccessful, customer services will contact you to arrange a new collection time.
Can I use just any box?
Yes, provided it is in good condition and suitable for the weight of the contents. We recommend using double-wall cardboard for fragile or heavy items, bubble wrap to protect the contents, and reinforced tape to seal all the edges. → How to pack a parcel: a practical guide
Are there any items I can’t send by courier?
Yes. Couriers have a list of prohibited items: flammable liquids, loose lithium batteries, perishable foodstuffs, valuable documents and other categories. → Items prohibited from being posted: full list
Can I post a parcel without printing the label?
DHL and UPS offer paperless services where the label is printed directly by the courier at the time of collection. You can select this option at checkout if it is available for your destination.
Does SpedizioneComoda work for businesses as well?
Yes. SpedizioneComoda is used by private individuals, e-commerce businesses and companies. For high volumes or bespoke rates, you can request a personalised quote via the contact page.
Further reading
→ How to send a parcel: a comprehensive guide
→ Express courier services: a comparison of DHL, UPS and FedEx
→ How to pack a parcel: a practical guide
→ International shipping: guide and rates
→ Prohibited items to be shipped
External source: Altroconsumo — Waiting times at post office counters
