France Colissimo: why don't all deliveries come with a time slot?

Reader question: I am expecting a parcel to be delivered by Colissimo, but I have only been given a delivery date and no estimated arrival time. This means I have to stay at home waiting for it to arrive. Is this normal? Why can't customers be given a more precise delivery estimate, such as a two- or three-hour window, so they know when they need to be home?

If you are waiting for a Colissimo delivery in France, you may know which day your parcel is set to arrive but not necessarily the exact time the postman will come.

As you say this can leave you waiting at home for hours, especially if the order is something that cannot fit in your letterbox and must be delivered in person.

La Poste says it is difficult to give a precise answer about delivery times because they vary between distribution centres. Postmen usually start their rounds in the morning, but their arrival times can differ.

Colissimo's indicative delivery time for parcels sent within mainland France is 48 hours, or two working days.

However, French consumer law does not require an estimated hour or a specific delivery slot.

Under Articles L111-1 and L216-1 of the French Consumer Code, the retailer must tell you the date or timeframe within which your order will be delivered before you complete the purchase.

This means you are entitled to know when your parcel is due to arrive, but not necessarily whether it will be delivered in the morning or afternoon.

Can Colissimo give you a more precise delivery time?

Colissimo does offer a two-hour delivery window for home deliveries that require the recipient to be present. Customers receive this estimate on the day of delivery, with the company using data and artificial intelligence to calculate the expected arrival time.

What happens if you are not home when the parcel arrives?

If the parcel arrives when you are not there, what happens next depends on the type and size of your parcel.

If it does not require a signature and fits in your letterbox, the postman can leave it there.

If this is not possible, the parcel may be handed to someone such as a neighbour, caretaker or another member of your household.

If neither option is possible, the postman will leave a delivery notice and your parcel will be held at the post office indicated on it.

You have 15 days from the day after the notice is left to collect it. After that, it is returned to the sender.

Depending on the parcel and the option the seller has opted for, you may also be able to arrange another delivery date or choose a nearby post office or collection point.