APC Overnight tracking

What is APC Overnight?

APC Overnight, formally known as The Alternative Parcels Company, is the United Kingdom's largest independent parcel delivery network. Founded in 1994 by 47 of the UK's leading same-day courier businesses, the company was built on a cooperative structure rather than a single, centrally owned operation. At the time of its creation, TNT was pioneering next-day express delivery in Britain, and the founding members saw an opportunity to build an alternative that could match the national reach of a major carrier while retaining the local knowledge of independent businesses. The network today spans more than 115 member depots and handles over one million parcels every month.

For the first two decades of its operation, APC Overnight ran its central hub from a facility in Essington, in the West Midlands. By 2014, demand had outgrown that site, and the company invested $16.5 million in a new 138,000 square foot National Sortation Centre at Kingswood Lakeside, Cannock, in Staffordshire. This facility became the central node of the entire network, the point through which parcels from every member depot are consolidated, sorted overnight, and redistributed to outbound routes. Rather than closing the Essington site when Cannock opened, APC chose to reopen it in 2016 as a 60,000 square foot secondary hub. A third major facility, an 80,000 square foot hub in West Bromwich built by member depot PGS Global Logistics at a cost of approximately $12 million, opened in 2023 and was designed around solar energy generation, producing 71% of its own energy in its first autumn and winter months.

• Founded: 1994, as The Alternative Parcels Company, by 47 UK same-day courier businesses that identified a gap in the domestic overnight parcels market
• Headquarters: National Sortation Centre, Kingswood Lakeside, Cannock, Staffordshire, United Kingdom
• Network size: Over 115 independently owned and operated member depots across the United Kingdom
• Monthly volume: Over one million parcels handled per month
• Customer base: Over 30,000 business customers across the UK
• Growth: Average growth of 35% year on year since founding, according to the company's own reporting
• Ownership (from July 2025): 78.32% majority stake held by Framtid TopCo, a consortium comprising WS Holdco Limited, DBAY Advisors Limited, and private investors including Logistics Development Group
• Hub infrastructure: National Sortation Centre in Cannock (138,000 sq ft), secondary hub in Essington (60,000 sq ft, reopened 2016), and a third hub in West Bromwich (80,000 sq ft, opened 2023)
• Awards: UK Enterprise Awards 2025 "Best Parcel Collection and Delivery Network" for the second consecutive year; 2020 Sunday Times PwC Top Track 250

APC Overnight's primary customer base is small and medium-sized enterprises, and the company has built its market position around serving sectors that many mainstream carriers are unwilling or poorly positioned to handle. The transport of perishable goods, fresh produce, cut flowers, live fish, fragile items, and medical supplies are all areas where APC has developed a specific reputation. This focus on specialist freight has allowed the business to occupy a distinct position in an industry otherwise dominated by large, centrally managed operations such as DPD, Evri, DHL, and Royal Mail Parcelforce.

In July 2025, APC Overnight underwent the most significant ownership change in its thirty-year history. A consortium led by WS Holdco Limited, the vehicle of logistics figure William Stobart, together with DBAY Advisors Limited and private investors including Logistics Development Group, acquired a 78.32% controlling interest in The Alternative Parcels Company. The remaining stake was retained by existing depot shareholders and the company's senior management. Prior to this acquisition, the business had been governed collectively by its member depots through a board of four executives and four elected depot representatives, with profits reinvested into the network rather than distributed to outside shareholders.

Which countries does APC Overnight deliver to?

APC Overnight's core service territory is the United Kingdom. The network covers all of mainland Great Britain through more than 115 independent member depots, each acting as the local collection and delivery arm for its designated geographic area. The entire network is anchored by the National Sortation Centre in Cannock, Staffordshire, through which parcels from every depot are consolidated, sorted overnight, and dispatched to the appropriate outbound depot for delivery the following morning. A parcel collected from a business in Cornwall, for example, will travel overnight to Cannock and then be sent out to the local depot serving an address in Aberdeen or Edinburgh.

Ireland is also within APC Overnight's direct service coverage. Northern Ireland as part of the United Kingdom, is included within the standard next-day domestic network. The Republic of Ireland is served through dedicated APC depots in both Dublin and Belfast. Within Dublin County, APC provides a before-noon delivery service. The remainder of the Republic of Ireland operates on a two-day schedule. These Irish services run through APC's own depot infrastructure rather than through external partner carriers, giving the company direct control over the quality of delivery in this market.

Beyond the British Isles, APC Overnight offers international shipping through a partnership model. Air freight is used for intercontinental destinations and road services are used for mainland European countries. This international offering is positioned as an extension of the domestic service, giving business customers a single carrier relationship for both UK and worldwide consignments. APC's dedicated international team manages export documentation and carrier coordination on behalf of the sender for all cross-border shipments.

• Mainland Great Britain: Complete next-day coverage via more than 115 independent member depots connected to the National Sortation Centre in Cannock
• Northern Ireland: Next-day delivery as part of the standard UK domestic network
• Republic of Ireland (Dublin County): Before-noon delivery service via APC's Dublin depot
• Republic of Ireland (remainder): Two-day service via APC's Irish depot infrastructure in Dublin and Belfast
• Mainland Europe: Road parcel service to European countries, arranged through carrier partnerships
• Worldwide: Air freight service to intercontinental destinations, managed by APC's international team in coordination with carrier partners

What are the APC Overnight services and delivery times?

APC Overnight's name reflects its core delivery proposition. The flagship product is the APC Next Day service, which delivers to mainland UK addresses on the next working day, Monday to Friday. Consignments must be booked before the local depot's daily cut-off time to enter the overnight sortation cycle at the Cannock hub. Drivers begin their rounds from 8:00am and work through to the end of the business day. This service forms the commercial backbone of the network and accounts for the majority of the more than one million parcels the company handles each month.

For consignments that need to arrive early in the working day, two timed premium services are available. The before 10:30am option guarantees delivery at the recipient's address before that time on the next working day, with drivers setting out from depots from 8:00am. The before noon option guarantees arrival before 12:00pm, providing a wider morning window than the earlier service. These timed options are frequently used by businesses receiving medical supplies, travel documents, or goods required before normal operations begin. Saturday delivery is also offered as a separately priced option, with timed windows of before 10:30am or before noon on Saturday, booked at the point of dispatch and subject to a surcharge.

APC Overnight has built a distinct capability in specialist freight categories that many larger carriers exclude from their standard terms. The network accepts perishable goods including fresh produce, cut flowers, food, drink, and live fish, as well as fragile items and security-sensitive consignments that require additional care and tracking. This capability has made APC a preferred carrier for niche businesses in food, drink, and horticulture. For customers without a business account, the APC Direct platform and mobile app provide on-demand access to the network with self-service booking and payment, without the need for a pre-negotiated contract.

• APC Next Day: Standard next-day delivery to mainland UK, Monday to Friday, with drivers beginning rounds from 8:00am
• Before 10:30am (Timed): Guaranteed delivery before 10:30 on the next working day, suited to time-critical business consignments requiring early receipt
• Before Noon (Timed): Guaranteed delivery before 12:00pm on the next working day, providing a broader morning window than the pre-10:30 option
• Saturday Delivery: Optional service with timed windows of before 10:30am or before noon on Saturday, subject to surcharge and confirmed at the point of dispatch
• Economy: Delivery option for non-urgent consignments where next-day speed is not a requirement
• Perishables and Specialist: Transport of fresh produce, cut flowers, live fish, food, drink, and other temperature-sensitive or specialist items not routinely accepted by mainstream carriers
• Fragile and Security-Sensitive: Enhanced handling and additional tracking for fragile items and consignments requiring extra protection during transit
• International: Worldwide air freight and European road parcel service delivered through carrier partnerships
• APC Direct: Self-service platform and mobile app for ad-hoc parcel booking and payment without a business account

What are the APC Overnight rates and maximum dimensions accepted?

APC Overnight calculates its rates based on a combination of parcel weight, dimensions, and destination. Surcharges are applied for consignments that exceed standard size or weight limits, for timed delivery options, for Saturday delivery, and for specialist handling categories. Pricing is primarily structured around business account customers, who agree rates and volumes directly with their local APC member depot. For occasional shippers without an account, the APC Direct platform offers access to published rates through a self-service booking process requiring no pre-arranged contract.

The standard service accepts individual parcels weighing up to 30kg, with a maximum length of 1.2 metres and a maximum of 0.6 metres in both width and height. Consignments exceeding these limits are classified as non-conveyables and can still be transported but attract an additional surcharge. For customers using APC-branded packaging, two standard pack sizes are available. The smaller A4-sized plastic pack measures 37.5 centimetres by 29.5 centimetres and accepts a maximum weight of 1kg. The larger A3-sized pack measures 54.5 centimetres by 45.5 centimetres with a maximum weight of 5kg.

• Maximum weight (standard): 30kg per parcel
• Maximum length: 1.2 metres
• Maximum width and height: 0.6 metres each
• APC A4 Pack: 37.5cm x 29.5cm, maximum weight 1kg
• APC A3 Pack: 54.5cm x 45.5cm, maximum weight 5kg
• Non-conveyable items: Accepted with an additional surcharge where dimensions or weight exceed the standard service limits
• Timed service surcharge: Applied to all before 10:30am and before noon deliveries, added above the base next-day rate
• Saturday delivery surcharge: Applied to all Saturday deliveries at the time of dispatch, regardless of which timed window is selected

What are the APC Overnight delivery options?

APC Overnight provides a set of tools for recipients to manage an incoming delivery. The primary platform is APC Choice, a self-service portal through which customers can interact with an expected consignment. When a parcel is out for delivery, APC sends the recipient an email or SMS with an estimated two-hour delivery window based on the driver's route on that day. Recipients who know they will be unavailable can use the APC Choice portal to rearrange delivery to a more convenient date or to redirect the consignment to a different address before the driver arrives.

Safe place delivery is available only where the sending business has pre-authorised this option at the time of dispatch. APC manages this through three settings at the sender's level, where the first allows safe place delivery outright, the second prohibits it entirely, and the third, referred to as Consignee Choice, enables the recipient to nominate their own safe location if the sender has activated this setting. Neighbour delivery operates on the same basis and is equally dependent on the service level chosen by the sender at dispatch. Neither safe place nor neighbour delivery is available for business delivery addresses.

If no one is home when the driver calls, a calling card is left at the address and the recipient is simultaneously notified by email through the APC Called eCard system. The recipient can then use the APC Called tool or the APC Choice portal to reschedule delivery for a more convenient day or to arrange collection in person from the local APC member depot. Anyone collecting in person must bring the calling card along with proof of identity and proof of address, and should contact the depot in advance to confirm the parcel has arrived and to check opening hours.

• APC Choice: Self-service portal for recipients to rearrange delivery or redirect a consignment before a delivery attempt is made
• APC PinPoint: Live proximity map tool showing the delivery driver's current position relative to the recipient's address, giving a real-time indication of arrival time
• APC EXPECT: Pre-delivery notification system providing recipients with an estimated delivery time window, powered by Blackbay's Delivery Connect technology
• APC Called eCard: Automated email notification triggered when a delivery attempt is unsuccessful, with options to rebook delivery or arrange collection from the local depot
• Safe Place Delivery: Available only where the sender has pre-authorised this option at the time of dispatch, with settings controlled entirely by the sending business
• Neighbour Delivery: Available where permitted by the sender's service selection, and not available for business delivery addresses
• Depot Collection: Recipients can collect from their local APC member depot by presenting the calling card, proof of identity, and proof of address

What should I do if my APC Overnight parcel is lost or damaged?

APC Overnight's claims process runs through the sender rather than the recipient. The contract of carriage exists between APC and the dispatching business, not the end consumer, which means only the sender can formally register a claim for loss or damage. If a parcel arrives in a damaged condition or fails to arrive at all, the recipient's first step should be to contact the original sender, who then takes the matter forward with APC on the recipient's behalf.

For damaged parcels, the sender must notify APC within 3 days of the delivery date. After that initial notification, the claimant has 10 business days to submit all supporting documentation. Photographic evidence is a mandatory requirement. The photographs must show external damage to the packaging as well as damage to the item or items inside. A claim submitted without photographic evidence of both the outer packaging and the contents risks being declined by APC.

For lost parcels, APC conducts an investigation through its tracking and hub systems before a claim can be formally accepted. The recipient contacts the sender, who initiates the trace with APC. Senders with high-value consignments should declare the goods value at the time of booking and confirm that the service chosen provides adequate compensation cover. Items whose declared value exceeds the standard limits of the applicable service should be discussed with APC before dispatch, not after a problem has occurred.

• Who can claim: Only the sender, as the contract holder, can formally register a claim with APC for loss or damage
• Damaged parcel notification: The sender must notify APC within 3 days of the delivery date
• Documentation deadline: All supporting documentation must be submitted within 10 business days of the initial damage notification
• Photographic evidence: Mandatory for all damage claims, covering both external packaging damage and visible damage to the contents inside
• Lost parcel process: The recipient contacts the sender, who initiates a trace and formal claim with APC on the recipient's behalf
• High-value items: Senders should declare value and confirm appropriate compensation cover at the time of booking, before dispatch

Does APC Overnight handle international shipments and customs formalities?

APC Overnight's international service is structured as an extension of its domestic offering, giving businesses a single carrier relationship for both UK deliveries and shipments to overseas destinations. Air freight is used for intercontinental shipments and road transport for mainland European countries, with both arranged through carrier partnerships managed by APC's dedicated international team. The company describes this as a one-company approach to UK and worldwide parcel delivery, with senders dealing with a single point of contact for export documentation and carrier coordination regardless of the destination.

For international shipments, APC handles the electronic submission of customs declarations to the relevant carrier on the sender's behalf. A commercial invoice must be prepared separately from the shipping label and must accompany the consignment at the point of export. Senders are responsible for providing accurate customs information including the declared value of the goods, a description of the contents, and harmonised tariff codes where applicable. Inaccurate or incomplete declarations can result in delays at the border or additional charges imposed by the destination country's authorities.

Ireland is APC Overnight's most directly served cross-border destination, handled through the company's own depots in Dublin and Belfast rather than through external partners. Dublin County receives a before-noon service and the remainder of the Republic of Ireland operates on a two-day schedule. For further international destinations, whether import duties apply and whether Delivered Duty Paid options are available depends on the destination country and the carrier partner involved. Businesses with specific requirements for a particular country are advised to discuss these with APC's international team before dispatch.

• Customs declarations: APC submits electronic customs declarations to the relevant carrier on behalf of the sender for all international consignments
• Commercial invoice: Must accompany all international shipments, prepared separately from the shipping label with accurate declared value and goods description
• Harmonised tariff codes: Required where applicable and are the sender's responsibility to supply accurately at the time of booking
• Republic of Ireland: Served directly through APC's own depots in Dublin and Belfast, not through external carrier partners
• Prohibited items: Cash, negotiable financial instruments, hazardous materials, aerosols, glass, and liquids outside specialist services are excluded from the service
• High-value goods: Must be declared at booking with appropriate compensation cover confirmed before dispatch, as standard service limits may not apply

Understanding tracking statuses

When tracking an APC Overnight parcel, the updates recorded at each stage of the journey reflect the physical movement of the consignment through the network. Tracking is accessible through the APC Overnight website using the 12-digit consignment number printed on the shipping label and included in booking confirmation emails. The same data is also available through the APC Direct mobile app and via third-party integrations using APC's API. The following table sets out the main tracking statuses and explains what each one means in practice.