If you’ve ever raced home to catch a delivery that never came, or wished you had a more professional address for your side hustle, An Post has a few different box options worth knowing about. This guide breaks down the three main ways to manage your mail in Ireland — from a secure parcel box at your front door to a rented PO Box at the local delivery office, plus the iconic green postboxes scattered across every neighbourhood. You’ll find current pricing, how each system works, and where to find what you need.
Primary Provider: An Post · Key Products: DeliveryBox, PO Box · Country Focus: Ireland · Street Postboxes Color: Green · Collection Options: Post Office, Delivery Office
Quick snapshot
- Exact PO Box prices without visiting An Post (An Post)
- DeliveryBox purchase and rental terms (An Post)
- Latest An Post Postal Rates Guide published 1st February 2024 (An Post)
- Choose between DeliveryBox, PO Box, or street postbox based on your specific mail needs
- Check An Post store locator for nearest delivery office
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Operator | An Post |
| Main Products | DeliveryBox, PO Box, Postboxes |
| Availability | Ireland-wide |
| Postbox Color | Green |
How much does a PO Box cost in Ireland?
PO Box rental costs at An Post depend on three variables: the month you start, the type of box you choose, and whether you add delivery or forwarding to your address. Four service tiers exist, each priced differently for January commencement.
| Service tier | January cost | Key detail |
|---|---|---|
| Standard PO Box | €399.00 / year | Chosen by An Post |
| Vanity PO Box | €700.00 / year | Pick your own number |
| PO Box Delivery | €1,100.00 / year | Mail forwarded to your address |
| PO Box Forward | €2,250.00 / year | Priority delivery included |
| Standard December start | €200.00 / year | Pro-rata pricing example |
| Replacement keys | €70.00 | Per key set |
| Distance fee | €1.00 per km | For delivery service |
The data reveal a wide cost spread: a basic PO Box runs €399 annually while the full forwarding package costs nearly six times that at €2,250. Vanity boxes with a chosen number carry a €301 premium over standard. Pro-rata reductions apply for later start months — a December standard box costs €200 rather than €399.
PO Box rental pricing
The standard PO Box at €399 per year represents the entry-level tier. According to An Post’s official rental page, this option assigns you a box number rather than letting you choose one. Collection happens at your local delivery office during normal working hours, Monday through Friday.
Cheapest options
For budget-conscious users, starting a PO Box later in the year offers significant savings. December commencement drops the standard rate to €200 — roughly half the January price. The An Post Postal Rates Guide effective 1st February 2024 also lists a PO Box/Private Bag rate of €360.00, which may reflect a subsequent update to the standard pricing structure.
Monthly costs
Annual costs divide unevenly across months. A January starter pays the full €399, while someone beginning in July pays approximately half since only six months remain in the calendar year. Delivery and forwarding add-ons compound on top of the base rate — the PO Box Delivery tier at €1,100 adds €701 to the standard annual cost.
An Post’s official pricing page does not list a comprehensive month-by-month table. Users typically need to contact their local delivery office for a pro-rata quote tailored to their specific start date.
How does a post delivery box work?
The DeliveryBox is An Post’s answer to the perennial problem of missed doorstep deliveries. Rather than waiting indoors for a postie, you install a secure box outside your home where parcels can be placed even when you’re not there.
According to An Post’s official information, the DeliveryBox lets you receive letters, packets, and parcels securely. The system is designed for An Post deliveries only — other couriers may not use it depending on their own policies.
DeliveryBox setup
The DeliveryBox installs at your front door or a designated outdoor location. An Post delivers into the box using a secure mechanism that only An Post staff can access during their delivery round. You receive a key or code to open it after the delivery is complete.
Parcel reception process
When An Post has a parcel for you, the postie opens your DeliveryBox, places the item inside, and secures it. You then open the box at your convenience using your key or combination. This separates the collection step from the delivery moment — you no longer need to be home when the delivery arrives.
Compatibility with other mail
The box accommodates letters, packets, and parcels of various sizes depending on the model you have. The An Post postage calculator can help determine exact rates for sending items to a DeliveryBox address.
For remote workers, frequent travellers, or anyone without a reliable neighbour to take deliveries, the DeliveryBox removes the need to schedule your day around postal arrivals. The trade-off is that it works only for An Post items — Amazon or other courier parcels still require your presence or alternative arrangements.
Can I buy a box from the Post Office?
Understanding what you can and cannot purchase directly from An Post helps avoid a wasted trip to the post office.
Purchasing options
The DeliveryBox is available through An Post, though the specific rental or purchase model depends on current availability. An Post’s official PO Box page describes the DeliveryBox as a service for receiving mail securely, but does not list it as a direct retail purchase item on that same page.
An Post post box for house
For residential use, the DeliveryBox serves as the closest option to a dedicated mail box attached to your house. It differs from a simple letterbox in that it provides secure storage for parcels until you retrieve them.
Alternatives to rent
If the DeliveryBox is not available or suitable, private alternatives exist. MBE Ireland on Dublin’s Lombard Street offers mailbox rental from £39.00 per month for small units, rising to £80.00 for larger options. An annual MBE mailbox costs between £370 and £740 depending on size.
The comparison reveals a meaningful choice: An Post’s standard PO Box at €399 annually sits close to MBE’s small mailbox at approximately €430 annually (converting £370 at typical exchange rates), though An Post’s offering is government-backed and covered by USO obligations while MBE is a private commercial service.
What are An Post post box sizes?
An Post offers three distinct box products, each with different size considerations and use cases.
| Product | Primary use | Size consideration | Capacity note |
|---|---|---|---|
| DeliveryBox | Home parcel reception | Varies by model | Handles parcels up to standard courier sizes |
| PO Box Standard | Mail collection | Standard internal dimensions | Accepts letters, small packets |
| PO Box Vanity | Mail collection | Same as standard internal size | Custom number, same physical capacity |
The practical reality is that PO Boxes at delivery offices tend to accommodate standard letter and small packet sizes. Larger parcels may require the DeliveryBox or a dedicated parcel locker service rather than a standard PO Box.
PO Box dimensions
Specific internal dimensions for An Post PO Boxes are not published on the main website. The Quadient rate summary for An Post confirms the existence of multiple size tiers but does not list centimetre specifications.
DeliveryBox specs
For the DeliveryBox, An Post does not publish detailed technical specifications in the consumer-facing pages reviewed. Users interested in exact dimensions should contact their local delivery office directly or use the An Post store locator to find a location that can provide specification details.
Where to find An Post post box locations?
Finding the right type of An Post box depends on whether you need a place to send mail (street postboxes), collect mail (PO Boxes), or receive parcels at home (DeliveryBox).
Post office locator
An Post maintains a store locator on their official website that lists delivery offices where PO Boxes are available. The locator shows addresses and hours for offices nationwide. Since PO Box availability ties to individual delivery offices rather than a centralised list, checking the locator for your nearest office is the practical first step.
Postboxes in neighbourhoods
The bright green postboxes scattered across Irish towns and cities serve as public posting points. These accept letters and small packets. You can identify them by their distinctive green colour and the An Post logo. They are typically positioned on main roads, near local shops, and in town centres throughout the country.
Dublin specifics
In Dublin, An Post operates multiple delivery offices and has expanded its PostPoints locker network for parcel collection. Dublin residents have additional options including private mailbox services like MBE on Lombard Street, though An Post’s network remains the most widely available across the city and surrounding counties.
For most users, the An Post store locator covers both PO Box rental offices and PostPoints parcel lockers. A single search for your nearest delivery office reveals your options for PO Box rental, PostPoints collection, and general postal services in one place.
Upsides
- DeliveryBox solves the missed delivery problem for An Post parcels
- PO Boxes offer a professional address separate from your home
- Collection times at delivery offices can precede regular delivery rounds
- Green postboxes are ubiquitous across Irish neighbourhoods
- An Post PO Boxes are USO-compliant, ensuring universal service availability
Downsides
- PO Box pricing requires contacting individual offices for accurate pro-rata quotes
- DeliveryBox works for An Post deliveries only
- Full forwarding service costs €2,250 annually — a significant premium over collection
- Private alternatives like MBE may offer more flexible terms but lack USO protection
- Exact PO Box internal dimensions not publicly documented
How to rent a PO Box: step-by-step process
Renting a PO Box from An Post involves visiting your local delivery office in person, selecting your preferred option, and setting up payment for the annual rental.
- Use the An Post store locator to find your nearest delivery office that offers PO Box rental
- Visit the delivery office during opening hours to inquire about availability
- Choose your box type: standard, vanity, delivery, or forward (each with different pricing)
- Confirm your start month — this affects your pro-rata payment amount
- Complete the rental agreement and pay the annual fee upfront
- Collect your keys and note your PO Box number for correspondence
The official An Post rental page confirms that collection happens Monday to Friday during normal working hours, and that you can typically collect earlier than your regular mail delivery time.
“Collection at a time that suits you — it can be earlier than the regular delivery hour.”
— An Post, Official Provider
“For an extra fee, we can deliver your PO Box mail to an address of your choice in the Republic of Ireland.”
— An Post, Official Provider
Related reading: An Post delivery schedules
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Parcels from An Post post boxes reach homes faster when tracked via the Click and Post tracking guide, which details returns and key locations.
Frequently asked questions
Can you still get a post office box?
Yes. An Post continues to offer PO Box rental at delivery offices across Ireland. Options include standard boxes, vanity boxes with chosen numbers, and delivery or forwarding add-ons.
Can I use a PO Box as my address?
You can use a PO Box number as a mailing address for receiving mail, but it typically cannot be used as a residential address for official purposes like voter registration or driver’s licence addresses in Ireland. Check with individual institutions for their acceptance policies.
Is it free to use a post box?
Sending mail via a street postbox is free once you have purchased the postage. The postbox itself is a free public service. Renting a PO Box or using a DeliveryBox involves annual fees.
Why are Irish post boxes green?
Irish post boxes have been painted in the distinctive green colour since the 19th century. The shade has become a recognisable part of Ireland’s postal heritage and street furniture identity.
Will a Post Office provide a box?
An Post provides PO Box rental at delivery offices and offers the DeliveryBox for home parcel reception. Not all post offices offer both services — check the store locator for specific capabilities at each location.
What is the monthly cost of a post office box?
An Post charges annually rather than monthly. The standard PO Box costs €399 per year (starting January), which works out to approximately €33.25 per month. Pro-rata pricing reduces the cost if you start mid-year.
Can I get An Post Post box reviews?
User reviews of specific An Post PO Boxes and DeliveryBox services are limited on mainstream review platforms. The official An Post site remains the most reliable source for current service terms and pricing.
For households receiving regular parcels from An Post, the DeliveryBox represents the most practical upgrade over chasing missed deliveries. For businesses or individuals wanting a dedicated mailing address, the standard PO Box at €399 annually provides the most cost-effective entry point. Those needing mail forwarded to a specific address should budget for the €1,100 delivery tier or consider whether a private service better suits their forwarding requirements.