NPAI, or "Non Parvenus à l'Adresse Indiquée", refers to parcels that could not be delivered to their addressee, often due to an incorrect address, an absent person or an obsolete address. The term NPAIoriginated with La Poste, but is now used by all carriers. When these parcels cannot be delivered, they are considered "lost" and must be handled in a specific way.
What happens with NPAI parcels?
When a parcel is marked as NPAI, it may remain awaiting delivery for some time. Under current regulations, carriers are obliged to keep these parcels for 80 days from the scheduled delivery date, to enable the sender or recipient to recover the parcel in the event of a claim.
After this legal retention period, if the parcel has still not been claimed, it becomes the property of the transport or logistics company. In the past, for lack of space and economic reasons, these parcels were often destroyed. In recent years, however, carriers have found a new way of dealing with these lost parcels: resale.
NPAI parcels: a new life through resale
Today, a number of specialist companies, such as Lost and Found, buy bulk NPAI parcels from various logistics companies in France and Europe. These parcels are then offered for sale in a variety of formats, including 5kg, 10kg, 20kg, 30kg or even full pallets, to both private and professional customers.
The main concept behind the sale of NPAI parcels is simple: no sorting is carried out, which means that resellers don't know the contents of the parcels. The result is a mystery product, where customers don't know in advance what they'll receive. This "surprise" aspect is the charm of buying NPAI parcels, attracting more and more bargain-seeking buyers.
What's in a NPAI parcel?
Since no inspection or opening of the parcels takes place before they are resold, the contents of each NPAI parcel remain totally unknown. However, according to testimonials from customers who have purchased lost parcels, a wide variety of products can be found in them, such as :
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Clothing (pants, dresses, shirts, coats, etc.)
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High-Tech products (smartphones, laptops, tablets, etc.)
- Footwear
- Furniture and home decor
- Tableware and kitchen utensils
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Miscellaneous items (toys, tools, accessories, etc.)
NPAI parcels are a real godsend for those who like the unexpected and are looking for products at reduced prices, but also for those who want to start reselling products or recycling undelivered items.
The advantages of buying NPAI parcels
Buying NPAI parcels offers a number of advantages, for both private individuals and professionals:
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Attractive prices: Buying lost parcels allows you to purchase products at prices well below those on the traditional market.
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Surprise: The contents of each parcel remain unknown, adding an element of suspense and discovery for buyers.
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Ecological impact: By reusing undelivered parcels, buyers contribute to a circular economy and reduce waste.
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Resale opportunities: For entrepreneurs, buying NPAI parcels is a way of acquiring products at low cost and reselling them at a profit.
The future of NPAI parcels
NPAI parcels, once destined for destruction, now find a new life thanks to resale. This model not only reduces waste, but also offers consumers an original shopping experience, with the promise of discovering a variety of products, often at reduced prices. If you're looking to buy NPAI parcels and enjoy the uncertainty and excitement of a mystery purchase, you can turn to specialist companies such as Lost and Found. But, as always, bear in mind that buying NPAI parcels is an adventure, with surprises waiting to happen every time you open one!
