If you shop online, you are likely to send or receive goods by post. For example, 70 percent of Tori.fi users say they have used a transport service when shopping online.
For those who have been shopping online for a long time, the sending of parcels is usually routine. Nevertheless, take a look at the tips – you might find answers to things you’ve always wondered about! If, on the other hand, sending a parcel is new to you, this article is sure to help.
Tips for the sender
How to pack a parcel
A parcel should be able to withstand approximately four times its own weight, as it moves among other parcels during transport. This means that when packing, you should pay attention to protecting the goods.
A cardboard box is a good choice for outer packaging. The plastic bag from the store does not work particularly well as such, as it does not protect against impacts. The best outer packaging is flat and regular in shape. This prevents the parcel from sticking or getting stuck to anything during mechanical handling.
Protect the goods inside the outer packaging with soft materials such as bubble wrap or paper. It is also important to prevent the movement of goods inside the packaging. To do this, you need filling, which you can get from crumpled newspaper pages, for example.
The reuse of packaging materials is an excellent choice! Just check that the used cardboard boxes or mailing bags are still intact and durable. Remove or cover the old shipment information to avoid confusion about where the parcel is supposed to go.
You can also buy environmentally friendly packaging materials from Posti. For example, we offer packaging boxes made of grass (30%) and recycled paper (70%). Learn more about our packaging options
When you send
There are two ways to send items:
a) You can pay for the item online or in the OmaPosti application. Then you can just drop off the parcel at a Parcel Locker or service point. This is the most affordable sending option.
b) At some service points, you can send a parcel from the counter. You can also pay at these points.
You can find the best delivery points for you in our service point search. Select “Search service” on the search page. Then you can search for delivery points based on whether you just want to leave a pre-paid parcel or pay for the item at the counter.
Remember to ask the person you're selling to or other recipient for their phone number. The number is requested in the item information because it is needed to send the notice of arrival. Do not enter your own number, as this may lead to misdirected items.
Please also note the maximum dimensions of the selected package size. The sorting machine automatically measures all parcels and an oversized parcel may be returned to the sender.
Reserving a locker: When you pay for the parcel in OmaPosti, the application asks where you want to send it from. If you select a Parcel Locker as the delivery location, the application may direct you to reserve a locker. You can reserve a locker in the Parcel Lockers with a keypad for each individual locker. A locker does not need (and cannot) be reserved from other types of Parcel Lockers.
Once you have left the parcel with Posti, you can track its progress in OmaPosti. Learn more about OmaPosti
Tips for the recipient
When the parcel is on its way
If you want to keep track of your arriving parcel’s movements, you can get the best view of its progress in the OmaPosti app on your phone.
When you order from the online store, you will receive notifications from OmaPosti from the beginning of the parcel’s journey. The application notifies you when the online store is about to send a parcel, when the parcel is being transported by Posti and, of course, when it can be picked up. You will also be notified when it is possible to change a pickup point or order home delivery. In future, these notifications will also be used for parcels sent by private individuals.
If you want to receive these notifications, remember to allow them in the OmaPosti settings.
Ready for pickup!
When the parcel has arrived for pickup, you can see the pickup information most conveniently in OmaPosti. There you can also see whether someone else can pick up the parcel on your behalf and whether a power of attorney is required or not. Most parcels do not require a power of attorney, just the identity document of the person picking up the parcel.
OmaPosti will continue to include features that make sending and receiving parcels even more convenient. You can find information about them in the News section on the OmaPosti front page. We will also tell you about them in a newsletter that you will receive by email by allowing marketing in the Your Information section of the OmaPosti settings.
Download the OmaPosti application
AppStore (for Apple phones)
Google Play (for Android phones)