An Post Post Box: Costs, Sizes & Buy Guide Ireland

PO Boxes and DeliveryBox units solve distinct postal problems in Ireland—one offers privacy and control, while the other eliminates missed home deliveries. Millions of people across Ireland navigate these same questions every year, and the answers matter more than you might think—especially when a missed delivery means a trip to the sorting office during working hours.

Provider: An Post Ireland · Main Product: DeliveryBox · Rental Option: PO Box · Public Postboxes: Green in Ireland · Collection Points: Post Offices and Lockers

How much does a PO Box cost in Ireland?

An Post offers several PO Box tiers, with pricing that varies significantly depending on when you start your rental and which delivery option you choose. Understanding these tiers helps you avoid paying for features you don’t need.

For a standard PO Box commencing in January 2026, the annual rate is €399.00. A Vanity PO Box—allowing you to reserve a specific memorable number—costs €700.00 for the same period. These rates come directly from An Post’s official pricing, effective from 3rd February 2026.

Pricing breaks down across collection-only options, delivery-to-address services, and forwarding tiers, with the annual cost swinging by hundreds of euros depending on which service level you choose.

The implication: Delivery options multiply your costs rapidly. PO Box Delivery at €1,100 annually makes sense only if you genuinely need mail forwarded to a specific address and cannot collect in person. Most residential users find the standard or Vanity PO Box sufficient.

Applications require downloading a PDF form from the An Post website, completing it, and sending it with payment to either your local delivery office or the Fee Billing Section in Dublin. Dublin applicants send to The EXO Building, while other locations use their local delivery office.

How does a post delivery box work?

An Post’s DeliveryBox takes a different approach from traditional PO Boxes. Rather than collecting mail from a post office, you install a secure parcel receptacle at your home or business. When you’re not there to receive deliveries, the courier deposits parcels inside the locked box.

The DeliveryBox accommodates standard parcels that fit through a typical door or gate setup. An Post delivers the unit within 10 days of placing your order. For questions or custom arrangements, customers can contact DeliveryBox@anpost.ie directly.

This system addresses a specific problem: missed deliveries that require collecting from sorting offices during restricted hours. For people who work standard office hours, a DeliveryBox means parcels don’t sit waiting while you’re away.

The distinction matters for businesses too. A DeliveryBox at your commercial premises allows receipt of supplies without requiring someone to wait for the postie. An Post notes the box works for both residential and business addresses.

The trade-off: Unlike a PO Box where mail stays secure until you collect it, a DeliveryBox sits outside your property. Physical security depends on your location and the box’s installation. An Post emphasizes the safe design but doesn’t specify theft prevention ratings or insurance coverage.

Can I buy a box from the Post Office?

An Post offers two distinct box products for purchase or rental. The DeliveryBox is the direct purchase option—a physical receptacle that becomes yours to install and use at your chosen address. This differs from PO Box rental, where you pay annually for a numbered compartment at a delivery office.

Pricing for the DeliveryBox itself isn’t listed in publicly available An Post materials. The €1,100 annual rate mentioned in research applies to the PO Box Delivery service, not the physical box product. For current DeliveryBox purchase pricing, contacting An Post directly through their official channels provides the most accurate information.

For those specifically wanting an An Post-branded solution, the DeliveryBox represents the purchase option. The application process involves ordering through An Post, with delivery within 10 days. The box then stays at your property permanently, unlike PO Box rental which requires annual renewal.

The implication: If you’re weighing DeliveryBox purchase against PO Box rental, consider how often you miss deliveries versus how often you need to visit a post office during working hours. Someone rarely home during delivery windows benefits more from DeliveryBox. Someone valuing postal privacy and not wanting a delivery address on record may prefer PO Box.

Can I use a PO Box as my address?

Yes, a PO Box gives you a distinct mailing address that differs from your residential location. When you rent a PO Box, correspondents address mail to that box number rather than your home. You then collect from the delivery office during specified hours—typically Monday to Friday during normal working hours.

This separation offers genuine privacy benefits. Your physical address doesn’t appear on correspondence, which matters for business mail, personal security, or simply keeping your home address off mailing lists.

The limitation: Not all deliveries reach PO Boxes. Some couriers require a physical address for signature confirmation. Parcel2Go, for instance, notes that parcels cannot be sent to PO Boxes because couriers need someone to sign for delivery. USPS guidance for parcels to Ireland indicates they can be addressed to PO Boxes but require a local phone number—suggesting international senders may face complications.

For domestic mail within Ireland, An Post delivers directly to your PO Box without issues. The service integrates fully with standard postal infrastructure. Government bodies, banks, and businesses regularly use PO Box addresses for exactly this reason.

The trade-off: You must actively collect your mail rather than having it arrive at your door. For some users, this weekly or bi-weekly trip feels inconvenient. For others, the control and privacy outweigh the effort. An Post offers PO Box Delivery (€1,100 annually) as a middle ground—mail held at the post office but forwarded to wherever you are.

Why are Irish post boxes green?

The distinctive green colour of Irish post boxes dates to the historical relationship between Ireland and the United Kingdom. When the postal service operated under British administration, standard postboxes were painted red—the iconic colour seen throughout Britain. Following Irish independence and the establishment of An Post in 1984, the service adopted green as its signature colour, differentiating the national postal network from its former British counterpart.

This green identifier serves a practical purpose beyond aesthetics. Street postboxes in the Republic of Ireland signal that the blue and orange An Post branding applies—domestic letter rates, standard delivery expectations, and specific parcel handling. Northern Ireland, which remains part of the UK postal network, retains the traditional red boxes.

These public postboxes serve for depositing letters only—they aren’t collection points for parcels or registered items. Dropping a parcel into a street postbox means it won’t be processed as a tracked item. For parcels, you need a Post Office counter or An Post’s parcel locker network.

The pattern: Public postboxes handle one-way outbound mail. They complement rather than replace Post Office services and parcel lockers. Using the right drop point matters—letters in green boxes, parcels at counters or lockers.

An Post PO Box Specifications

Six service tiers exist, each with distinct pricing structures and delivery mechanisms. Understanding the technical specifications helps match your needs to the right product.

The implication: Your choice depends on three variables—frequency of collection, need for privacy, and whether you require forwarding. A home-based individual rarely away might never need PO Box Delivery. A small business owner traveling between locations might find the €1,100 Forward Delivery essential.

How to Apply for an An Post PO Box

The application process involves several steps, though An Post has streamlined it compared to older paper-heavy procedures. Here is what you need to know.

1. Choose your PO Box type — Standard, Vanity, or one of the delivery variants. Consider your collection frequency and forwarding needs before deciding.
2. Download the application PDF — Available on the An Post website under Rent a PO Box. The form requires your details, chosen box type, and preferred collection office.
3. Complete the form — Fill in your name, address, contact information, and the type of PO Box you’re requesting. For Vanity boxes, specify your preferred number if you have one in mind.
4. Submit with payment — Send the completed form with your annual fee to either your local delivery office or the Dublin address (The EXO Building) depending on your location.
5. Wait for confirmation — An Post processes applications and notifies you when your box is ready. Collection typically begins within normal working hours Monday to Friday.

For the DeliveryBox, the process differs—you order directly through An Post rather than applying for a service. Delivery within 10 days means faster setup than traditional PO Box activation, though you commit to a physical product rather than an annual rental.

Note that An Post’s standard delivery service operates Monday to Friday, so anyone planning to receive deliveries during evenings or weekends should explore An Post Christmas Eve delivery schedules and holiday cutoffs in advance.

Related reading: An Post Christmas Eve delivery · M&S opening hours Ireland

For secure parcel handling with your An Post post box, the Click and Post tracking guide offers easy label printing and real-time status updates.

Frequently asked questions