To collect a parcel from Zásilkovna, wait for an SMS, email, or in-app notification with a six-digit code, then pick up your order at a Z-BOX locker (open 24/7) or at a pickup point (výdejní místo). At a Z-BOX, you simply key in the code on the keypad — no ID required. Below is a full 2026 guide to all the main delivery services in Czechia: Zásilkovna, Balíkovna, Alzabox, PPL ParcelShop, and Česká pošta — how to collect a parcel, send your own, and what it costs.
Zásilkovna (part of the Packeta group) runs the country's largest network — over 10,000 pickup points, including more than 5,600 self-service Z-BOX lockers. This is the default delivery option offered by most Czech online stores at checkout.
Once your order arrives, you'll get a notification with a code. There are two ways to collect it:
These are partner shops, kiosks, and postal counters. Just give the staff the code from your SMS/email along with the recipient's name. ID usually isn't required, but the clerk may ask for it if there's cash on delivery (dobírka) or a high-value parcel — so keep one handy just in case.
It's easy to lose track of a parcel here, so remember the basic 2026 figures:
During the pre-Christmas rush (November–December), deadlines are shorter — usually 5 days at pickup points. You can extend storage for free via the app, the web tracking page, or the chatbot. If a parcel isn't collected in time, it's sent back to the sender. The exact deadline for your specific order is always shown in the notification — always check it there.
Private individuals can use the "Mezi námi" (Between Us) tariff. Set up the shipment in the app: fill in the recipient's details, pay, write the six-digit sending code and the recipient's name clearly on the package, then drop it off at a collection point or into a Z-BOX within 5 days. The minimum parcel size is 10×7×1 cm, the standard maximum is 60×45×35 cm and up to 5 kg; oversized parcels are allowed up to 15 kg.
| Sending via Zásilkovna (private individuals, 2026) | Price |
|---|---|
| To a výdejní místo or Z-BOX, up to 5 kg | from 89 Kč |
| To an address, up to 5 kg | from 129 Kč |
| Oversized, 5–15 kg | from 149 Kč |
| Cash-on-delivery surcharge (dobírka) | +26 Kč |
Prices change periodically (there was already an increase in 2026) — check the calculator on zasilkovna.cz before sending.
Balíkovna is a Czech Post service with a network of over 9,000 points: post offices, partner shops, and lockers. Collecting a parcel is simple: just give your name and the code from the SMS or email. No ID is needed, so a third party can also pick up the order if you pass them the code.
Handy detail: Balíkovna parcels can now also be collected from Alzabox lockers — you'll get an SMS with a code to enter on the box's display (if the code includes letters, press "ABC" for the full keyboard). Storage in the box is usually 2 business days.
Sending is cheaper for registered users: a parcel up to 5 kg starts at 79 Kč, while non-registered senders pay roughly 10 Kč more. Since April 1, 2026, Balíkovna and Czech Post rates have gone up, so check the current price list on balikovna.cz for the final amount.
Alzabox lockers are primarily used for collecting orders from the Alza store, but the network is also open to other carriers. Once your order is delivered, you'll receive an authorization code via SMS, email, and in the "Moje Alza" section. Ways to collect:
Storage time depends on the specific box, usually up to 2 days — check the exact deadline in your notification. Since 2026, AlzaBox has also allowed sending parcels via the PPL carrier.
PPL is a major courier with a network of over 8,000 ParcelShop locations and more than 2,000 of its own Parcelbox lockers, plus integration with 1,200+ Alzabox units. When a parcel is delivered to a locker, you'll receive a PIN code via SMS and email; it's also visible in the mojePPL app. Enter the PIN on the display, and the door will open. Storage time in the locker is 72 hours.
Cash on delivery (dobírka) cannot be paid in cash at a locker: the amount must be paid online in advance — via the mojePPL app or a link from the SMS/email. This rule applies to both Z-BOX and Alzabox — keep a card handy.
The classic option still exists: a registered letter (doporučený dopis) or parcel (balík) is handed over at a branch based on the notification slip and code. Here, ID (občanský průkaz or passport) is more often requested, especially for official correspondence — letters from a úřad, banks, or insurance companies. For online store purchases, this is the slowest and not the cheapest option, which is why shops and shoppers alike have long preferred Zásilkovna and Balíkovna.
| Service | Network | How to Collect | Storage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zásilkovna Z-BOX | 5,600+ lockers | 6-digit code / app | 2 (+1) days |
| Zásilkovna výdejní místo | 10,000+ points | code + name | 7 (up to 21) days |
| Balíkovna | 9,000+ points | name + code, no ID | usually 7 days* |
| Alzabox | Alza network + partners | code / QR in app | around 2 days |
| PPL Parcelbox / AlzaBox | 2,000+ lockers | PIN / mojePPL | 72 hours |
*The exact Balíkovna storage period depends on the type of pickup point and is stated in the notification — go by that rather than the general rule.
Tip for shoppers: when checking out at a Czech online store, choose a locker near your home or workplace so you're not tied to a branch's opening hours. For expensive orders, an online bank transfer is a convenient way to pay; for where to order groceries and other goods, see our roundup of shops in Prague, and to make sure you get parcel notifications on time, set up reliable home internet. If you're just settling into the country, our first-steps checklist after moving to Czechia may also come in handy.
No, not for a Z-BOX locker — the six-digit code is enough. At a pickup point, ID usually isn't required either, but staff may ask for it in case of cash on delivery or a valuable parcel.
At a Z-BOX — 2 calendar days, with a free 1-day extension (3 days total). At a výdejní místo — 7 days, extendable up to 21. During the pre-Christmas season, the deadlines are shorter.
Only online, in advance: via the Zásilkovna, mojePPL, or Alza app, or via a link from the SMS/email. You cannot pay in cash at a Z-BOX or Alzabox.
Yes. With Zásilkovna Z-BOX, you set up the shipment in the app, and since 2026 PPL has also been accepting parcels via AlzaBox.
By default, the Alzabox display only shows numbers — press the "ABC" button to bring up the full keyboard, then enter the whole code.
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