Colis Privé tracking

Parcel delivery in France since 1993

The creation of Colis Privé dates back to 1993, in response to a major strike at La Poste that year. To avoid dependence on the public postal service, the Yves Rocher group launched the company Distrihome in Nantes, which later became Colis Privé. Initially, this structure only handled the distribution of small packages from the Yves Rocher brand and advertising mail in the Greater West region of France. This pioneering positioning laid the foundation for a private home parcel delivery service, complementing the traditional postal network.

In 2006, the company changed ownership: it was acquired by Adrexo (a subsidiary of Spir Communication). On this occasion, it briefly took the name Adrexo Colis, before permanently adopting the Colis Privé brand in 2012. This rebranding marked the company's desire to strengthen its own identity in the parcel delivery market for individuals.

Colis Privé gained momentum in the 2010s, notably with Amazon's entry into its capital in 2014 as a minority shareholder. During this period, the company handled parcel distribution for several major e-commerce players such as ASOS, Vertbaudet, and Pixmania. It also formed a partnership with Mondial Relay to offer parcel delivery directly to relay points, thus expanding the pickup options available to recipients. Following this, Colis Privé began its international expansion: in 2019-2021, it established itself in Belgium and Luxembourg, and concluded a licensing agreement to operate in Morocco, relying on local partners trained in its methods.

The year 2022 marked a major turning point with the acquisition of Colis Privé by CEVA Logistics, a subsidiary of the CMA CGM group. The Marseille-based shipping company, the world's third-largest container transport company, thus integrated an essential link in the last-mile logistics chain in France. The operation, finalized in July 2022 at 100%, allowed CEVA to accelerate the development of its e-commerce offering by relying on the Colis Privé network. However, Amazon remains present in the capital with approximately 10% after this transaction and remains one of Colis Privé's largest clients due to the significant volumes of parcels generated by the platform. Since its integration into CEVA/CMA CGM, Colis Privé has benefited from increased resources and the synergy of a large logistics group, with the stated ambition of continuing its growth in France and internationally.

Flexible and efficient delivery options

Colis Privé offers a range of delivery services focused on flexibility and efficiency, to meet the varied needs of professional shippers and individual recipients. The main delivery options offered include:

• Standard home delivery: basic service allowing the parcel to be delivered directly to the recipient's address. If the mailbox is accessible and of sufficient size, the parcel can be deposited there in the absence of the recipient. Colis Privé is the only private operator in France with an ARCEP postal license authorizing the deposit of parcels in individuals' mailboxes, allowing it to deliver the parcel to the customer even in their absence.
• Express delivery: for urgent shipments, Colis Privé offers an accelerated delivery option. This premium service aims to deliver parcels in reduced timeframes, faster than standard, to satisfy customers needing urgent receipt. (*Note:* Colis Privé does not indicate a guaranteed timeframe but strives to minimize transit times.)
• Relay point delivery: Colis Privé relies on a vast network of partner businesses (dry cleaners, grocery stores, local shops, etc.) serving as relay points. The sender or recipient can choose this option to pick up the parcel at the relay point of their choice, according to their availability. With approximately 4,100 relay points across the country, 85% of the French population is within 10 minutes of a Colis Privé point, and the vast majority of these relay points offer extended hours (70% open on Saturdays and Sundays).
• Delivery to a partner merchant: in addition to third-party relay points, Colis Privé has formed partnerships with certain brands (supermarkets, etc.) to offer direct parcel delivery to their premises. This allows customers to pick up their parcels during their regular shopping, combining convenience and time savings.
• Dedicated e-commerce services: Colis Privé adapts its offering to the needs of online stores. For example, the carrier offers the "BIS" option for a second presentation: in case of a failed first home delivery (recipient absent), the recipient receives a notification and can reschedule a second delivery for free (to their home on a chosen date, to a relay point, or even to a third party). Additionally, Colis Privé offers the possibility of sending e-commerce returns via its relay network, with the return parcel generally being delivered to the seller within 3 to 5 days once deposited at the relay point.

In terms of pricing, Colis Privé aims to be competitive while ensuring reliable service. Shipping costs vary based on criteria such as the weight and dimensions of the parcel, the level of service chosen, and the destination. The company regularly offers advantageous pricing conditions to e-merchants with significant volumes, as well as offers through intermediary platforms, to encourage the use of its services. (Note that specific rates and timeframes are subject to change and can be consulted on the official Colis Privé website.)

Logistics infrastructure and distribution network

To meet its delivery commitments across the entire territory, Colis Privé relies on a dense and modernized logistics infrastructure. The company's operational network is organized around several main sorting platforms, complemented by a fine network of local agencies and a fleet of couriers ensuring the last mile:

• National sorting centers: Colis Privé operates several large-scale logistics sorting centers, strategically positioned across the territory. In 2024, the company has 4 main sorting platforms in France. These centers are the major entry points where parcels collected from shippers arrive. The packages are automatically sorted based on their final destination, thanks to high-performance sorting equipment. For example, the new Gennevilliers site opened in Île-de-France in 2025 is equipped with a modern sorting machine capable of processing up to 24,000 parcels per day, illustrating the level of automation and efficiency sought.
• Regional distribution agencies: downstream of the national sorting centers, Colis Privé has delivery agencies located close to population centers. Before 2024, the network included approximately 25 main agencies in mainland France. Following the partial acquisition of one of its subcontractors (Last Smile Partner (Milee) in 2024, Colis Privé integrated 27 additional distribution sites into its fold, bringing the total number of local branches to over 50. These regional agencies serve as secondary sorting centers: they receive each morning the batches of parcels sorted by region, then organize them into local delivery rounds.
• Last-mile delivery: Colis Privé relies on a dedicated team of couriers to deliver parcels from the local agency to the final recipient. This model includes both internal employees and a large network of independent or partner delivery drivers. For example, at the Gennevilliers site mentioned above, about 25 employees oversee a hundred partner couriers daily. In general, Colis Privé mobilizes several thousand couriers across France (in 2023, nearly 3,800 partner couriers were active according to the company). These couriers ensure hand delivery, mailbox deposit, or relay delivery, depending on the chosen delivery mode and specific instructions (such as dematerialized signature delivery if required). Each courier is equipped with mobile tools allowing them to scan parcels at each stage, record delivery proofs, and send real-time notifications.

Thanks to this three-level organization (central sorting center) regional agencies (local round), Colis Privé is capable of distributing parcels across the entire French territory in short timeframes. The company serves the entire mainland France, including Corsica. However, shipments to overseas departments and territories (DOM-TOM) are not directly handled by Colis Privé at this time. To cover certain remote or specific destinations, the company can rely on partner carriers or redirect the parcel to the traditional postal network.

Internationally, Colis Privé has begun its expansion by focusing on neighboring or strategic countries. Since 2021, the company has been operating in Belgium and Luxembourg through a dedicated subsidiary, relying notably on a sorting center located in Willebroek (near Antwerp) to serve these neighboring markets. Deliveries in this sector can thus be ensured in D+1 thanks to a local network of partner carriers connected to Colis Privé's systems. In parallel, a licensing agreement has been concluded for Morocco, where local operators use the Colis Privé brand and benefit from its tools (tracking, customer service, etc.) while being trained in its processes. These developments outside France aim to follow the growth of e-commerce beyond national borders and support French e-commerce clients in new markets.

By integrating Colis Privé, the CMA CGM group has clearly expressed its intention to continue this geographical expansion. With its global presence, CMA CGM plans to rely on its infrastructure and international network to gradually extend Colis Privé's services to other countries in the future. This prospect could see Colis Privé expand its European network, and even beyond, to become an international player in last-mile parcel delivery.

Advanced technologies for optimized delivery

Since the early 2000s, Colis Privé has invested in cutting-edge technologies to optimize its delivery operations. A significant technological shift occurred around 2002 when the company implemented new IT systems and modern logistics tools in its sorting centers. These innovations have significantly improved parcel processing efficiency: optimization of delivery routes through algorithms, computerized tracking of shipments at each stage, instant status information feedback, etc. The goal was already to ensure timely and reliable deliveries despite increasing volumes.

Today, real-time traceability is at the heart of Colis Privé's offering. Each parcel is assigned a unique tracking number: usually a 13-character alphanumeric code starting with the prefix "CP" (e.g.: CP1234567890) (which allows the customer to track its progress online. Through the carrier's online tracking portal, or from the Colis Privé mobile app, shippers and recipients can know the status of their shipment at any time (pickup, in transit, out for delivery, delivered, etc.). SMS and email notifications are often automatically sent during key stages (departure for delivery, availability at relay, etc.), improving transparency and anticipation for the customer. Colis Privé has also launched a dedicated mobile app, offering an enriched tracking experience with push alerts, nearby relay location, and delivery rescheduling options in a few clicks. These digital tools enhance service accessibility and demonstrate the company's ongoing modernization.

On the ground, automation and robotization of the logistics chain. Colis Privé's sorting centers are equipped with high-speed automatic sorters, capable of identifying and directing parcels in record time to the right destination. The integration of these high-performance machines: like the Gennevilliers site processing 24,000 parcels/day mentioned above - has allowed to cope with the rise of e-commerce volumes while maintaining short delivery times. Additionally, Colis Privé couriers use connected portable terminals to scan each parcel upon delivery, collect deposit proofs (electronic signature, photo of the parcel in the mailbox, etc.) and synchronize this data in real-time with the central system. This ensures immediate tracking status updates and better reliability of the information provided to the final customer.

Colis Privé also innovates in its delivery methods to adapt to market expectations. The company has, for example, introduced dematerialized signature delivery (RCS), an option where the delivery proof is digitally recorded on the courier's terminal (signature on screen) rather than on a paper slip, which speeds up the process while securing it. Similarly, the flexibility offered to the recipient in case of absence (via the BIS rescheduling service as described earlier) is made possible by the fine integration of Colis Privé's IT systems with customer notifications. Finally, the carrier is exploring new solutions for the last mile, in line with its environmental approach: deployment of electric vehicles, tests of cargo bikes in dense urban areas, optimization of rounds via advanced geolocation tools... All these initiatives illustrate Colis Privé's desire to combine technology and logistics to offer an ever more efficient, sustainable, and customer-oriented service.

Environmental and social commitments

As a transport player, Colis Privé fully integrates social and environmental responsibility (CSR) into its development strategy. The company's CSR policy is structured around three major axes: employment and social inclusion, reduction of environmental impact, and employee well-being. Concretely, Colis Privé is committed both socially (working conditions of its couriers and employees, integration of local partners, job retention) and ecologically (reduction of carbon emissions, resource optimization), while cultivating an internal culture focused on quality of life at work and customer satisfaction.

On the environmental front in particular, Colis Privé has taken significant measures to green its delivery activity. In 2021, the company joined the EVcom program (Voluntary Commitment for Sustainable Logistics) as part of the EVE scheme, setting an initial target of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 5% by the end of 2024. Thanks to a series of concrete actions, the three-year assessment proved very positive: Colis Privé achieved a reduction of about 15% in its GHG emissions compared to 2020, three times the initial target (about 3,288 tons of CO₂ avoided). This result, exceeding expectations, rewards the efforts made to decarbonize parcel transport from main freight to last mile.

To achieve these reductions, Colis Privé worked on several levers. On the one hand, logistics optimization was pushed to reduce empty kilometers traveled and maximize vehicle load rates. On the other hand, the choice of transport partners was oriented towards those most committed to eco-responsibility: the group encourages its road subcontractors to adhere to the "CO₂ Objective" charter and to equip themselves with less polluting fleets (some regional carriers already use alternative fuels such as B100 biodiesel, biogas, or XTL). Colis Privé has also begun to gradually convert vehicles dedicated to the last mile to low-emission solutions. For example, the company signed a letter of intent for a partnership with the manufacturer Flexis in 2025 to deploy new 100% electric light commercial vehicles. A first wave of delivery rounds in electric vehicles is planned from 2026 in Île-de-France, on a platform already equipped with charging stations. The goal is to drastically reduce CO₂ and fine particle emissions during urban deliveries, while anticipating future regulations on low-emission zones.

On the social front, Colis Privé ensures to promote inclusion and job sustainability. The company's model, relying on a network of partner couriers, offers opportunities to many micro-entrepreneurs or local distribution SMEs. When it integrated part of the activities of its subcontractor Last Smile Partner in 2024, Colis Privé took over more than 300 employees (including 272 delivery drivers) and nearly half of the latter's vehicle fleet. This operation allowed to save threatened jobs and ensure service continuity for customers, in line with the company's CSR values. Internally, Colis Privé claims to attach particular importance to the well-being of its employees, continuous training (notably in new sustainable delivery technologies), and diversity within its teams.

Finally, Colis Privé also raises awareness among its shipper clients about environmental issues. A carbon dashboard is made available to partner e-merchants, to measure the carbon footprint of their shipments and encourage them to adopt more sustainable solutions. This transparency aims to integrate the entire value chain into a common approach to reducing the ecological impact of e-commerce. By communicating on its progress (such as the 15% emissions reduction) and obtaining external recognition, Colis Privé seeks to prove that logistical efficiency and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand. The carrier thus aims to become a reference in eco-responsible last-mile delivery, while maintaining a high level of service for its customers.

Understanding parcel tracking statuses

When you track a shipment via Colis Privé, different tracking statuses may appear to inform you of your parcel's progress. Here are the most common tracking labels and their meanings: