CEN/TS 17523:2020

Postal services - Packaging for boxable items - Characteristics for packaging of small and light weight items to be delivered into the consumer’s letterbox

This document covers physical properties and characteristics for the packaging for small and light weight postal items to be delivered into the consumer’s letterbox. It covers the main design features for the packaging of letterboxable postal items, notably the sizes and stacking as well as postal and environmental requirements.
This document is targeted to e-retailers and postal operators.

Postalische Dienstleistungen - Verpackungen für briefkastenfähige Sendungen - Eigenschaften von Verpackungen für kleine und leichte Waren, die in den Briefkasten des Verbrauchers zugestellt werden

Dieses Dokument behandelt die physischen Eigenschaften und Merkmale der Verpackung kleiner und leichter Postsendungen, die in die Hausbriefkästen zugestellt werden. Es behandelt die wichtigsten Gestaltungsmerkmale für die Verpackung von briefkastenfähigen Postsendungen, insbesondere die Größen und Stapelbarkeit sowie postalische und Umweltanforderungen.
Dieses Dokument richtet sich an Online-Einzelhändler und Postbetreiber.

Services postaux - Emballage pour la livraison de colis dans la boîte aux lettres - Caractéristiques d'emballage pour les marchandises petites et légères, destinées à être livrées dans les boîtes aux lettres des destinataires

Poštne storitve - Embalaža za predmete v škatlah - Značilnosti embalaže za manjše in lažje predmete, ki se dostavljajo v poštni nabiralnik stranke

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 20-Oct-2020
• ICS: 03.240 - Postal services
• ICS: 55.040 - Packaging materials and accessories
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 331 - Postal services
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 331/WG 3 - Automatic identification of items - Addresses
• Current Stage: 9093 - Decision to confirm - Review Enquiry
• Start Date: 29-Nov-2024
• Completion Date: 23-Sep-2025
• Ref Project: SIST-TS CEN/TS 17523:2020 - Postal services - Packaging for boxable items - Characteristics for packaging of small and light weight items to be delivered into the consumer’s letterbox

Overview

CEN/TS 17523:2020 - "Postal services - Packaging for boxable items" provides technical guidance on packaging small, light-weight postal items intended to be delivered directly into consumers’ letterboxes. The Technical Specification defines physical properties and design characteristics (format, stacking, flap location), processing considerations (transport packaging, automation) and environmental requirements to enable reliable first-time deliveries, reduce packaging waste and support postal automation.

Key topics and requirements

• Scope and intent: Targets e-retailers and postal operators seeking standardized, letterbox-compatible packaging for e‑commerce items.
• Format and apertures: Aligns with EN 13724 (apertures of private letterboxes) and includes guidance for letterboxes with smaller apertures. The document addresses compliance with common aperture sizes (including midsized 25 mm and small 20 mm) and distinguishes document-type vs goods-type items.
• Stacking and mechanical strength: Defines stacking requirements and contains an informative annex evaluating optimal material thickness for safe stacking during storage and transport.
• Flap location and closure: Specifies recommended flap positions to ensure items pass through letterbox openings and process securely in postal sorting flows.
• Processing & automation: Covers transport packaging, machine‑readiness, and automation compatibility to improve throughput and reduce manual handling.
• Packaging materials & environment: Recommends materials (e.g., kraft paper/cardboard) and design practices that reduce over‑packaging, support reuse/recycling, and align with EU packaging waste and circular economy objectives.
• Returns & consumer convenience: Addresses return-service considerations to simplify reverse logistics for standard-sized letterboxable packages.

Applications and practical value

• Reduce failed deliveries: Properly designed letterboxable packages increase first‑time delivery success and lower secondary delivery costs and emissions.
• Improve operational efficiency: Standardized sizes and stacking reduce void space in vans/warehouses and enable automated sorting.
• Lower packaging costs and waste: Right-sizing and recyclable materials decrease material, storage and handling costs while supporting corporate sustainability goals.
• Enhance customer experience: Smaller, protected parcels reduce damage, over‑packaging complaints and simplify returns.

Who should use this standard

• E‑retailers and fulfilment centers designing outbound packaging for high volumes of small goods.
• Postal operators and parcel carriers optimizing delivery flows, letterbox compatibility and automation.
• Packaging suppliers and designers developing letterboxable mailers and eco‑friendly materials.
• Logistics and sustainability teams focused on waste reduction and circular packaging.

Related standards

• EN 13724 - Postal services: Apertures of private letterboxes and letter plates (normative reference used throughout CEN/TS 17523:2020).

Keywords: CEN/TS 17523:2020, letterboxable packaging, postal services, e‑retailers, EN 13724, stacking, aperture, packaging for small and light weight items, ecommerce, postal operator, packaging materials, automation.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-december-2020
Poštne storitve - Embalaža za predmete v škatlah - Značilnosti embalaže za
manjše in lažje predmete, ki se dostavljajo v poštni nabiralnik stranke
Postal services - Packaging for boxable items - Characteristics for packaging of small
and light weight items to be delivered into the consumer’s letterbox
Postalische Dienstleistungen - Verpackungen für briefkastenfähige Sendungen -
Eigenschaften von Verpackungen für kleine und leichte Waren, die in den Briefkasten
des Verbrauchers zugestellt werden
Services postaux - Emballage pour la livraison de colis dans la boîte aux lettres -
Caractéristiques d’emballage pour les marchandises petites et légères, destinées à être
livrées dans les boîtes aux lettres des destinataires
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: CEN/TS 17523:2020
ICS:
03.240 Poštne storitve Postal services
55.040 Materiali in pripomočki za Packaging materials and
pakiranje accessories
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

CEN/TS 17523
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
SPÉCIFICATION TECHNIQUE
October 2020
TECHNISCHE SPEZIFIKATION
ICS 03.240; 55.040
English Version
Postal services - Packaging for boxable items -
Characteristics for packaging of small and light weight
items to be delivered into the consumer's letterbox
Services postaux - Emballage pour la livraison de colis Postalische Dienstleistungen - Verpackungen für
dans la boîte aux lettres - Caractéristiques d'emballage briefkastenfähige Sendungen - Eigenschaften von
pour les marchandises petites et légères, destinées à Verpackungen für kleine und leichte Waren, die in den
être livrées dans les boîtes aux lettres des destinataires Briefkasten des Verbrauchers zugestellt werden
This Technical Specification (CEN/TS) was approved by CEN on 14 September 2020 for provisional application.

The period of validity of this CEN/TS is limited initially to three years. After two years the members of CEN will be requested to
submit their comments, particularly on the question whether the CEN/TS can be converted into a European Standard.

CEN members are required to announce the existence of this CEN/TS in the same way as for an EN and to make the CEN/TS
available promptly at national level in an appropriate form. It is permissible to keep conflicting national standards in force (in
parallel to the CEN/TS) until the final decision about the possible conversion of the CEN/TS into an EN is reached.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2020 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. CEN/TS 17523:2020 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 3
Introduction . 4
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms and definitions . 6
4 Symbols and abbreviations . 8
5 Physical properties . 8
5.1 Format . 8
5.1.1 General . 8
5.1.2 Compliant with EN 13724. 8
5.1.3 Compliant with midsized aperture . 8
5.1.4 Compliant with small apertures . 8
5.1.5 Document vs. goods . 8
5.2 Stacking. 8
5.2.1 Stacking requirements . 8
5.2.2 Stacking compliant with EN 13724 . 9
5.2.3 Stacking compliant with the midsized aperture of 25 mm . 9
5.2.4 Stacking compliant with the small aperture of 20 mm . 9
5.3 Flap location . 10
5.4 Merchandise returns service . 10
6 Processing . 10
6.1 Transport packaging . 10
6.2 Packaging material . 11
6.2.1 Environmental. 11
6.2.2 Overall . 11
6.3 Automation . 11
Annex A (informative) Evaluation of the optimal thickness for stacking . 13
A.1 Stacking. 13
A.1.1 General . 13
A.1.2 Compliant with EN 13724. 13
A.1.3 Compliant with the midsized apertures of 25 mm . 14
A.1.4 Compliant with the “Small” apertures of 20 mm . 14
Bibliography . 16

European foreword
This document (CEN/TS 17523:2020) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 331 “Postal
services”, the secretariat of which is held by NEN.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organisations of the
following countries are bound to announce this Technical Specification: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of
North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United
Kingdom.
Introduction
Ecommerce led to raising volumes of commercial postal items. Postal items containing documents are
letters, whereas postal items containing goods are parcels or small packets.
This document refers to EN 13724 “Postal services - Apertures of private letter boxes and letter plates -
Requirements and test methods” and furthermore takes in consideration that there still are millions of
consumer’s letterboxes with a smaller aperture than defined in EN 13724.
This document addresses Ecommerce related delivery needs and challenges. It serves as a guidance for
large, medium and small online merchants, benefiting in sending small and light weight items as boxable
postal items to the consumer’s letterbox, using existing letter mail networks, with the advantage a
successful first delivery attempt:
— reducing packaging material;
— stacking the packages;
— supporting advanced automation for packaging.
International postal statistics show that some 80 % of addressed parcels generated by Ecommerce today
weight less than two kilograms. The most common weight category with 31 % is 200 g to 500 g. The value
of some 39 % is below 25 €. The majority of households (68 %) prefer to have the goods delivered to
their homes.
The top six product categories bought cross-border in 2018 were clothing (31 %), consumer electronics
(21 %), health and beauty (17 %), jewellery and watches (11 %), books, music and media (10 %) and
sport and leisure (10 %).
Consumers are frustrated by failed delivery messages such as “sorry we missed you” messages. Even
more frustrating is it when the parcel contains something that could easily have been popped through
the private letterbox if it had been appropriately packed.
The key players in the Ecommerce supply chain are e-retailers (incl. manufacturers), postal companies
and consumers.
Concerning their parcel volumes, e-retailers can be clustered in 4 groups:
— global e-retailers;
— regional e-retailers;
— small e-retailers;
— consumers, who ship goods privately sold.
E-retailers pack each consignment to meet the needs of the product and of the postal delivery logistics.
In order to speed up and ease the workflow, e-retailers try to standardize their “ideal” packaging allowing
protective, cheap and easy packaging and enabling returns. Unfortunately, such company specific
solutions too often result in “over-packaging” and “void space”, causing waste of valuable resources.
E-retailers who manage right-size packaging of postal items see substantial cuts in their own cost by
reducing both operational and shipping costs, saving storage space, cutting labour cost and order
administration, and significantly cutting assembly and packing times. Standardized packaging for postal
return services is of strategic importance to the Ecommerce market.
A survey in 2017 revealed that 25,6 % of consumers received items delivered in boxes or parcels that
were far too large. 15 % of the boxes or parcels used too much packaging. 22,8 % of consumers expressed
frustration at receiving items in packaging that had become ripped or damaged during transit, risking
damage to or loss of the contents of the parcel. Twenty % of packaging was not a good fit for the product.
7 % of consumers stated that products arrived damaged as a result of inappropriate packaging. 19,8 %
felt that the packaging was insufficient to protect the content, risking damage.
The postal operators act in a delivery market which has become particularly vibrant: consumers are
demanding low cost and fast delivery, e-retail giants are wielding greater market power, and global
integrators are muscling in on B2C delivery. Leveraging trusted brands, strong expertise and nationwide
networks, postal operators are looking to grow their share of both domestic and cross-border markets.
There is a continuous annual two digits increase of the number of parcels and a parallel increase of the
number of private receivers. Main issues for the postal operators are the quality and number of drivers,
the problems with deliveries into pedestrian zones during limited hours, double-delivery because of the
consumer’s absence and void-space.
“Letterboxable” packaging of postal items fulfils market needs:
— the letterboxable postal items will fit through a customer’s letterbox;
— first time delivery means less cost for the post and fewer emissions as there are no second or third
delivery attempts, no need for customers to collect parcels from postal outlets, courier depots or
parcel shops, leading to less impact on the environment;
— the possibility of stacking parcels reduces the space needed in warehouses and delivery vans and
thus can improve the workflow at e-retailers and posts;
— standards make it easier for automation, as manufactures adapt their solutions to a larger base of
standardized item dimensions;
— the reduction of packaging material and the use of environmentally friendly packaging materials
reduce the effect of CO in the atmosphere.
This document is in line with the legal European framework for packaging and packaging waste which is
designed to prevent the production of packaging waste and promote the reuse, recycling and other forms
of recovering of packaging waste, instead of its final disposal, thus contributing to the transition towards
a circular economy:
— waste management in the European Union should be improved, with a view to protecting, preserving
and improving the quality of the environment, protecting human health, ensuring prudent efficient
and rational utilization of natural resources, promoting the principles of the circular economy,
enhancing the use of renewable energy, increasing energy efficiency, reducing the dependence of the
Union on imported resources, providing new economic opportunities and contributing to long-term
competitiveness. The more efficient use of resources would also bring substantial net savings for
Union businesses, public authorities and consumers, while reducing total annual greenhouse gas
emissions;
— as the amount and type of packaging used generally depends on choices made by the producer rather
than the consumer, extended producer responsibility schemes should be established.
The letterbox standard EN 13724 was defined in connection with the envelope category “C”. This is a local
German standard [DIN 678-1:1998-1 Envelopes – Part 1: Sizes] but the main size category in Europe for
large format envelopes.
1 Scope
This document covers physical properties and characteristics for the packaging for small and light weight
postal items to be delivered into the consumer’s letterbox. It covers the main design features for the
packaging of letterboxable postal items, notably the sizes and stacking as well as postal and
environmental requirements.
This document is targeted to e-retailers and postal operators.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a
...