Does royal mail scan parcels
Yes, Royal Mail scans parcels as part of their processing and tracking procedures. Here's how it works:
- Scanning at the Post Office: When you send a parcel through a Royal Mail Post Office, the parcel is scanned at the counter before it's dispatched. This scan is used to create a unique tracking number, which is printed on the parcel label.
- Scanning at the Sorting Office: Once the parcel is dispatched, it's taken to a Royal Mail sorting office, where it's scanned again to confirm its arrival and to update its tracking status.
- Scanning at the Delivery Office: Before the parcel is delivered to your doorstep, it's scanned again at the delivery office to confirm its final destination.
- Tracking updates: Throughout the journey, Royal Mail updates the tracking status of your parcel, providing you with regular updates on its location and estimated delivery date.
Royal Mail uses various scanning technologies, including:
- Barcode scanners: These scanners read the barcode on the parcel label, allowing Royal Mail to quickly and accurately identify the parcel.
- RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) tags: Some Royal Mail parcels are equipped with RFID tags, which use radio waves to transmit information about the parcel to Royal Mail's scanners.
- Optical Character Recognition (OCR): Royal Mail also uses OCR technology to read the contents of the parcel label, allowing them to extract information such as the sender's and recipient's addresses.
By scanning parcels at various stages of their journey, Royal Mail can provide accurate tracking information and help ensure that your parcel is delivered efficiently and securely.