Vinted is no longer just a digital garage sale. With over 80 million users in Europe, including 9 million in France, the platform has become a major logistics channel for second-hand e-commerce retailers. Whether you occasionally sell a collector's item or use Vinted as a complementary channel for your online store, logistical rigor determines your success.
Between the strict deadlines imposed by the platform (5 business days maximum), transportation risks (loss, theft, damage), and the limitations of standard protection, a sale can quickly turn into a total loss. This guide reveals the essential rules of Vinted shipping and why, above a certain amount, relying solely on basic protection becomes a risky gamble.
How Long Does It Take to Ship a Vinted Package? The 5-Day Rule
The Official Countdown
According to Vinted's terms and conditions, the seller has 5 business days (Monday through Friday, excluding holidays) after the purchase is confirmed to:
- Generate the shipping label via the application
- Pack the parcel according to standards
- Drop off the package at the Carrier Mondial Relay, Chronopost, InPost, etc.)
- Scan the package at the pickup point
Critical point: The 5-day period starts from the date of purchase confirmation, not from receipt of payment. The system only counts business days, but be aware that weekends and public holidays can reduce your margin for maneuver.
The Difference Between "Generate" and "Scan"
Many sellers think that it is enough to upload the shipping label within 5 days. Wrong. The package must be physically scanned by the Carrier this time frame. A shipping label generated on day 4 but a package dropped off and scanned on day 6 = failure.
Common real-life scenario: You drop off your Mondial Relay parcel Mondial Relay day 5 at 6 p.m. The retailer only scans it at the end of the day or the next morning. Result: the Vinted system records a scan on day 6 = automatic cancellation.
The Consequences of Delay
If the package is not scanned within 5 business days:
- Automatic cancellation of the transaction by Vinted
- Full refund to the buyer (debited from your account)
- Degradation of your seller rating (critical impact if you are a professional)
- Net loss: You recover the package but have lost time and credibility.
Expert Advice: Always Plan Ahead
Never wait until day 5. Carriers' scanning times vary depending on the workload at their distribution centers. An optimal professional strategy:
- Days 1-2: Ideal shipping for sales over €200
- Day 3: Reasonable limit for standard sales
- Day 4: Hazardous area, operational risk
- Day 5: To be avoided at all costs unless it is an emergency
Important statistic: Shipments within 24-48 hours statistically reduce "Not received" disputes related to buyer impatience by 60%. For valuable items, fast shipping is also a sign of reliability.
How to Properly Package a Vinted Parcel? Safety & Professional Standards
The Myth of "A Plastic Bag Is Enough"
On Vinted, makeshift packaging is commonplace: trash bags, reused kraft envelopes, crumpled recycled cardboard boxes. For a $5 T-shirt, that's fine. For an item costing more than $50, it's playing with fire.
Why? Because in the event of a claim (lost, stolen, or damaged package), the Carrier insurers systematically examine the packaging. Inadequate packaging = immediate exclusion from coverage, regardless of the declared value.
The Professional Packaging Checklist
Inspired by best practices in high-value packaging, here are the standards for securing your Vinted shipments:
1. The Box (Required for orders over €50)
- New rigid cardboard: Double fluting for fragile items (shoes with rigid soles, structured accessories)
- Suitable dimensions: Maximum 5 cm of free space around the product
- Strength test: The cardboard must withstand moderate pressure without collapsing.
Avoid: Cardboard boxes that have been reused several times, original brand-name boxes (see next point), soft outer packaging (bubble wrap without a rigid structure).
2. Internal Calibration
The product must not move inside the package:
- Crumpled kraft paper: An economical and eco-friendly solution
- Biodegradable packing chips: For fragile items
- Bubble wrap: Only as a supplement to rigid cardboard
Shake test: Before closing, gently shake the package. If you hear the product moving, the padding is insufficient.
3. The Golden Rule of Anonymity
A crucial point that is often overlooked: Never allow any visible luxury brand logos to appear on the outer packaging.
- ❌ Bad: Hermès tape, original iPhone box, visible store bags
- ✅ Good: Plain cardboard box, standard kraft tape, no distinctive markings
Why? A package identified as "high value" becomes a priority target for theft in sorting centers. This practice, detailed in our high-value package insurance guide, significantly reduces risks.
4. Systematic Photographic Evidence
Before filing, ALWAYS take:
- Photo 1: Closed package with visible and legible Vinted label
- Photo 2: Package from multiple angles showing the integrity of the packaging
- Photo 3: Product in the package before sealing (optional but recommended >€200)
These photos are your only proof in case of a dispute about the condition of the package. Keep them for at least 90 days.
Packaging by Product Type
Clothing/Textiles:
- Individual waterproof plastic pouch
- Rigid kraft cardboard or envelope
- Rain protection required
Shoes:
- Rigid cardboard (not the original box if it is a luxury brand)
- Tissue paper between the two shoes
- Shimming to prevent friction
Bags/Leather Goods:
- Internal filling (crinkled paper) to maintain shape
- Fabric or tissue paper protection
- Rigid cardboard box
Watches/Jewelry:
- Original case/box in bubble wrap bag
- Double-wall corrugated cardboard
- Mandatory independent insurance >€200 (see dedicated section)
Vinted Package Issues: Loss, Theft, and Damage – Common Scenarios
The Three Logistical Nightmares of Vinted
Scenario 1: "Delivered" but Never Received
The tracking shows "Delivered" at a specific date/time, but the buyer swears they haven't received anything. There are two possible scenarios:
- Neighbor/mailbox delivery: The Carrier "delivered" at an approximate address.
- Theft after delivery: Package left at the door and stolen (porch piracy)
Vinted process: The buyer opens a dispute. Vinted launches a Carrier investigation Carrier 10-21 days). During this time, the payment is blocked. If the investigation is inconclusive, the buyer is usually refunded by default (buyer protection).
Impact on seller: Loss of goods AND payment if you cannot prove actual receipt.
Scenario 2: Package Arrived Damaged or Empty
The buyer receives the package but reports:
- Product broken/damaged despite careful packaging
- Package opened/reclosed with missing contents
- Product different from description (scam or error)
Vinted process: Request for photos by the buyer. If damage is found and insufficient packaging is noted, the seller is responsible. If the package appears to have been opened, a Carrier investigation Carrier .
Average duration: 21 to 90 days depending on the Carrier complexity.
Scenario 3: Tracking Blocked Without Explanation
The tracking status remains stuck on "In transit" or "In delivery" for 10+ days. The package seems to be lost in logistics limbo.
Process: After 15 days without any progress, Vinted authorizes the opening of a dispute. Carrier investigation Carrier automatically. Buyer refund likely after 30 days if no location found.
The Limits of Vinted's "Buyer Protection"
Key point to understand: Vinted's "Buyer Protection" is designed for... the buyer. The seller is only protected indirectly and conditionally.
What Vinted Protection Covers
- For the buyer: Guaranteed refund if package not received or does not comply with order
- For the seller: Payment validation IF delivery is confirmed AND there are no disputes within 2 days of receipt.
What the Protection Does NOT Cover for the Seller
- Direct compensation in case of loss/theft by the Carrier
- Actual value coverage: Compensation follows carrier rates (often derisory)
- Guaranteed deadlines: Investigations can take up to 90 days, tying up your cash flow.
- Recourse against buyer fraud: Difficult to prove that a buyer is lying
Standard Carrier Compensation Schedules
Mondial Relay standard Vinted service):
- Up to a maximum of €25 depending on weight and service
- Franchise often applied
- Investigation period: 21-60 days
Chronopost Vinted premium service):
- Compensation by weight: ~$20/kg
- Maximum often capped at €300-500 depending on contract
- Delivery time: 30-45 days
Concrete example: You sell a Longchamp bag for €180 on Vinted. Package lost by Mondial Relay. Carrier compensation Carrier €25. Net loss: €155 + lost item.
Beyond €200: Why Independent Insurance Is Becoming Essential
The "Calculation of Tears" Applied to Vinted
Let's take a real-life example of a second-hand e-merchant using Vinted as a complementary channel:
Sale of a pair of limited edition sneakers for €350
Worst-case scenario (loss by Carrier):
- Mondial Relay compensation: €25
- Vinted Protection: The buyer is reimbursed €350 (deducted from your seller account).
- Your net loss: $350 (item) + $25 (derisory compensation) = $325 deadweight loss
With independent ad valorem insurance:
- Insurance cost: $350 × 0.75% = $2.62
- Claim reimbursement: €350 (actual sale value)
- Delivery time: 48-72 hours vs. 30-90 days Carrier survey
- Result: Zero losses, cash flow preserved, customer quickly reimbursed
The equation is simple: For items valued at €200 or more, the uninsured risk far exceeds the cost of adequate protection.
Specific Multi-Channel Cases (Store + Vinted)
If you are a second-hand e-merchant using your own website + Vinted as distribution channels, the problem intensifies:
Operational challenges:
- High volumes: 50-200 shipments/month require unified management
- Variable values: From €50 (accessories) to €1000+ (rare items)
- Multiple carriers: Mondial Relay Vinted), Colissimo (website), Chronopost express)
- Cross-channel reputation: A poorly managed dispute on Vinted impacts your overall image
Solution parcel insurance :
- All carriers covered: Vinted, own website, marketplaces
- Single pricing: 0.75% regardless of the channel
- Centralized management: A single dashboard for all your shipments
- Strategic independence: Your protection does not depend on platform conditions.
Multi-Channel E-Commerce Businesses: Unify Your Protection
If you run an online store specializing in secondhand goods (fashion, sneakers, leather goods, watches) and use Vinted as an additional showcase, you need a unified insurance solution:
- All your channels covered: Your own website, Vinted, other marketplaces
- All your carriers: Mondial Relay, Colissimo, Chronopost, etc.
- Centralized management: A single dashboard for all your shipments
- Actual value protection: Reimbursement based on value, not weight
Are you a second-hand e-merchant and is Vinted part of your logistics mix? Don't let a Carrier your profitability.
Make an appointment with our team to check whether your business model is eligible for optimized multi-channel coverage: Make an appointment with Claisy