Cities across Czechia crack down on parcel pick-up points

A surge in parcel pick-up boxes across the Czech Republic has prompted cities and towns to take action in regulating their placement and appearance, as local authorities contend with safety and aesthetic concerns. This comes at a time when, given growing demand, some of the boxes’ operators are hiking up delivery prices.

There are now over 10,000 parcel boxes in the country, with numbers increasing rapidly. While these boxes offer convenience, municipalities are grappling with issues surrounding their locations, often on busy streets or in places where they obstruct traffic. Complaints about unsightly boxes or their hazardous placement are becoming more common, Czech media outlet Seznam Zprávy reports.

"These boxes can be beneficial, but they're often installed in spots that are dangerous, or at the very least, inconvenient," said Zuzana Šrůmová, deputy mayor of Roztoky, a town near Prague. "Traffic can be seriously impacted when people stop at them without designated parking spaces,” she added.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade officially recognized parcel boxes as "establishments" in December, shifting regulatory responsibility to local municipalities. The new status allows cities to enforce their own rules regarding the placement and appearance of these boxes, which are not classified as buildings and therefore do not fall under building codes. 

For example, certain cities may mandate specific colors or lighting to make the boxes blend better with their surroundings.

The City of Brno, along with other municipalities, has been working to ensure that parcel pick-up stations are placed in appropriate locations, such as existing buildings, to avoid blocking walkways or public spaces. 

For example, a Zásilkovna delivery box that was recently installed on a staircase near Brno’s historic center lasted only a few days before being removed. "In the future, we want to find a way to ensure parcel boxes serve their purpose without disrupting the public space," said Filip Poňuchálek, a spokesperson for the Brno municipality.

The push for regulation has been bolstered by the nationwide “Our Cultivated Cities” project, an initiative aimed at creating unified guidelines for municipalities. The project seeks to provide cities with a clear methodology for regulating the placement and design of parcel boxes, helping prevent their chaotic proliferation.

Recognizing their popularity, two major delivery companies have recently upped prices for using the pick-up points. Starting Feb. 20, Zásilkovna's prices will rise by CZK 10 for deliveries to dispensaries (currently at CZK 89 for packages up to 5 kilograms).

Balíkovna, owned by Czech Post, will raise its prices by CZK 6 from the start of March. Registered users will pay CZK 75 for pick-up point deliveries from next month. Payment-on-delivery surcharges will also increase at delivery points, with Zásilkovna charging CZK 26 and Balíkovna CZK 19 from February and March respectively.