How to pack a Vinted parcel, and which postage to pick
Watch: packing a parcel
Catherine's video on packing a parcel, embedded from TikTok.
Vinted's packing rules, step by step
These are the steps from Vinted's packing article for standard items. Follow them for every parcel, not just the valuable ones.
- Choose the right outer packaging. Use a sturdy box or the carrier's padded envelope that fits the item closely. A padded bag is fine. A bag without padding is not.
- Fill the empty space. Use bubble wrap, paper or foam so the item cannot move and does not touch the outside of the packaging.
- Seal it properly. Use strong tape so the item cannot fall out, and seal the outer box so it will not open in transit.
- Stick the label flat. Put it on the largest side and make sure the barcode is fully visible. Tape down the edges and peel off any old labels.
- Photograph it before you send it. Take photos of the item and of the packed parcel, inside and out. Vinted says these photos may help resolve an issue faster.
Extra rules for some items
- Fragile items: always use a sturdy box, never a plastic bag. Attach a Fragile label and put cushioning between each item.
- Bundles: put all the items in one parcel, with no more than two electronic devices that have batteries. Wrap each item so it does not move.
- Electronics: switch the device off and install the batteries so they cannot short-circuit. Wrap the device in several layers so it never sits directly against the cardboard. Use a double or triple-walled box, seal it, and mark it Fragile. Swollen, damaged or leaking batteries are not allowed.
- Large or heavy items: take them apart where you can, bag the small parts, add corner protectors, and use Fragile, This side up or Heavy labels as needed.
Good and bad packing, from Vinted's examples
| Item | Good | Bad |
|---|---|---|
| Clothes and shoes | Padded bag or cardboard box | Bag or envelope without padding |
| Toys, cosmetics and fragile items | Cardboard box with padding, filled with foam pellets | Unpadded bag or box with items loose inside |
| Electronics and appliances | Sturdy cardboard box with protective inserts or air pillows | Single-walled box or bag with no padding, items loose inside |
| Books | Cardboard box or envelope with padding | Textile bag, or paper or plastic wrapping without padding |
What you cannot send
Vinted does not allow unpackaged items, liquids or ice, damp or leaking parcels, parcels that smell, or monitors and TV sets. The full prohibited items list is at the end of Vinted's packing article, and you should check it before you list anything unusual.
Vinted also says that if you ignore these rules and the parcel is damaged in transit, you may not receive a refund or compensation.
Choosing the right parcel size
Pick the parcel size before the buyer pays. Once they have paid for shipping, neither the size nor the carrier can be changed. Check the carrier's size and weight limits, then measure the packed parcel, not just the item. Some carriers will let you use a larger parcel at no extra cost. If the packed item is over the maximum for every option, it cannot be listed on Vinted.
The postage options on Vinted
Vinted's integrated postage options are Evri, InPost, Royal Mail, DPD, Relay, DHL Express and AnyVan. The buyer pays for postage and picks the carrier at checkout from the options the seller has turned on. Vinted's pages do not rank these carriers for reliability, so the table below shows what Vinted says and what people have told us.
| Carrier | What Vinted says about sending with it | Survey stories naming it | Of those, mentioning loss or damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evri | Print a label or show a QR code at a parcelshop or locker. Tracking can take up to 48 hours to appear on Vinted. Vinted says it will compensate lost or damaged parcels if they were packed properly. | 105 | 63 |
| InPost | Get the label in the chat, then scan a QR code at a locker or have shop staff print it. The option is only offered if there are InPost points near both the buyer and the seller. | 120 | 62 |
| Royal Mail | Get the label in the chat and drop it off at a Collect+ shop, post office, locker or customer service point. Do not use a Royal Mail postbox. Vinted says the parcel will not be delivered and no compensation will be offered if you do. | 57 | 29 |
| DPD | Listed by Vinted as an integrated option. Its help pages give no further details. | 17 | 11 |
| Relay | Listed by Vinted as an integrated option. Its help pages give no further details. | 27 | 17 |
| DHL Express | Listed by Vinted as an integrated option. Its help pages give no further details. | 11 | 0 |
| AnyVan | Listed by Vinted as an integrated option. Its help pages give no further details. | 0 | 0 |
The survey counts come from stories people have sent to Sad Vinted Faces. Those are people who had a problem, so the numbers show where problems get reported, not how often each carrier fails. Volumes also depend on how many people use each carrier, so treat them as a prompt to look closer, not a ranking.
What the stories say about reliability
No carrier stands out as the most reliable. Parcel problems come up across every option, and the share of stories that mention loss or damage is similar for Evri, InPost and Royal Mail. Evri and InPost are named most often, which may partly reflect how many people use them. The practical answer is to pack to Vinted's standard, photograph the parcel, keep your proof, and pick the drop-off point that is easiest for you to get to.
Whichever carrier you use, keep the proof of shipping until the order is completed, which is what Vinted asks for.
Which postage option loses the most parcels?
Tap a sad face on the option you find least reliable. One sad face per option per connection. The totals update straight away.
Total sad faces so far: 0
Before you post, every time
Pack to the standard above, take the photos, and keep the drop-off receipt or confirmation email. Vinted says tracking can take up to 48 hours to appear, so do not panic if it is quiet on the first day. If a parcel looks lost after that, use the order in the Vinted app and send your proof of shipping.
