Ukrposhta expands sale of un-delivered parcels: auctions are now available in 6 regions
25 March 11:59
Ukrposhta has announced a large-scale expansion of the project to sell undelivered parcels through auctions on the Prozorro.Sale platform. Starting in March 2025, residents of Lviv, Ternopil, Dnipro, Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Khmelnytskyi will be able to join the exciting process of “unpacking” and find unique lots. This was reported by the company’s press service, Komersant ukrainskyi reports
What is the essence of the project?
Selling unopened parcels is not new to the world. Companies such as Amazon, USPS, FedEx, and Royal Mail have long practiced auctions with “forgotten” shipments.
In Ukraine, Ukrposhta launched this project in May 2024 and has held 163 auctions since then. If the owner does not pick up the parcel within six months, it goes up for sale as part of lots. The average cost of one lot ranges from 14 to 25 thousand hryvnias.
“Since the launch, we have seen people find everything from tablets to bicycle frames in the lots. It’s a drive, excitement, and at the same time a business opportunity. Someone gets profitable goods for resale, and someone gets content for social media. We don’t know what will be in your box,” comments Igor Smelyansky, CEO of Ukrposhta.
According to him, buyers get a chance not only to buy goods for resale at a bargain, but also to feel the real adrenaline of unpredictability.
Why does Ukrposhta sell parcels?
Every year, Ukrposhta’s warehouses accumulate tens of thousands of undeliverable parcels, which are parcels that have been delivered to the post offices but not picked up by either the recipients or the senders.
According to Ukrainian law, after six months of storage, the company has the right to sell such parcels through auctions.
This allows Ukrposhta to compensate for logistics and storage costs, and the “mystery boxes” find new owners.
How do auctions work?
Parcels are sold in lots of 100 units – one lot is bought as a whole. Before the sale, all address information is removed from the parcels, and the contents remain a mystery until they are unpacked. Lots are formed randomly, including only intact, undamaged parcels.
“Neither we nor the buyers know what’s inside – a book, socks, or a smartphone. This is the whole point of vibe,” Ukrposhta explains.
To ensure transparency, the company’s employees do not participate in auctions, and auctions are held exclusively through the Prozorro.Sale platform.
Expansion to six regions
Until March 2025, auctions with undelivered parcels were available only in certain cities, but now Ukrposhta is expanding its geography. Residents of Lviv, Ternopil, Dnipro, Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Khmelnytskyi will be able to try their luck and compete for lots. This decision is due to the success of the project: in 10 months, Ukrposhta has sold thousands of items and received positive feedback from customers.
Beware: scammers!
Ukrposhta emphasizes that the sale of undelivered parcels takes place only in large lots through official auctions. Any offers to buy a “bargain parcel” separately or at a low price are fraudulent. The company calls for blocking such “helpers” and participating only in verified auctions on Prozorro.Sale.
