A Complete Guide to USPS Parcel Lockers and How to Access Them

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posted on 3 months ago — updated on 1 second ago

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A USPS parcel locker is a special type of mailbox used to store large packages. They’re typically paired with Cluster Box Units (CBUs), which are large metallic structures designed to hold mail for communal neighborhoods, like apartment complexes, townhouses, and the like. In this article, we’ll break down what it means if your package was delivered at a parcel locker—and, most importantly, how to find it.

What does it mean if a package is in a parcel locker?

What is a USPS parcel locker?

A parcel locker is a large locker near a Cluster Box Unit (CBU). Many large, communal neighborhoods (typically apartment complexes, townhouses, and condominiums) use CBUs to organize and store residential mail—they’re basically large lockers made up of small, lockbox-style mailboxes (with each resident getting a key to their own mailbox). Parcel lockers are larger lockboxes attached to or installed near a CBU, and they essentially act as “overflow” that the USPS uses for larger packages. Parcel lockers are different from USPS Smart Lockers, which are electronic lockers found in the lobbies of USPS offices.

How to Pick up a Package from a Parcel Locker

Find a key in your regular CBU mailbox. Parcel lockers can only be opened with a specialized key that your local USPS office has—your regular mail key won’t do the trick. When a USPS employee plays your package in a parcel locker, they’ll place the corresponding key in your mailbox.

Read the label on the parcel locker key. CBUs have multiple parcel lockers, so check the label written on the keychain to see which locker your package is in. Your key will only work in the specified parcel locker.

Unlock the parcel locker and retrieve your package. Once you insert the key into the lock, it’ll stay put, and you won’t be able to remove it. That’s okay—a USPS employee will retrieve the key the next time they’re at your neighborhood’s CBU.

How to Get Packages Delivered to a Parcel Locker

You don’t request parcel box deliveries—they’re done automatically. As long as you’re ordering a decently large package with a merchant that ships via USPS, there’s a good chance that your parcel will end up in a parcel locker. If the package is small enough, it might fit in your regular CBU mailbox (and a parcel locker won’t be necessary).