As temperatures in Lithuania increasingly exceed 30°C during the summer, people are paying more attention to protecting themselves, their children, loved ones, and pets from the heat. However, high temperatures can also affect much less obvious things – such as products ordered online. Experts recommend planning not only when a parcel will be delivered during hot weather, but also where it will be waiting for collection.
Over the past decade, parcel lockers have become one of the most popular delivery methods in Lithuania. Consumers appreciate the flexibility of collecting parcels at their convenience, while the growth of e-commerce continues to expand the variety of products being shipped – from clothing and electronics to cosmetics, food supplements, plant seeds, and pet care products. However, not all of these items tolerate prolonged exposure to high temperatures equally well.
Mantas Rudzys, head of Sales at SmartPosti Lithuania, points out that during the summer months, people often fail to consider the conditions in which their parcel will be stored before collection.
"We usually think about how high temperatures affect people, but it's worth remembering that many everyday products also come with manufacturers' recommended storage conditions. This doesn't mean such products cannot be delivered to parcel lockers, but when planning purchases, it's worth considering how long the parcel may remain uncollected and in what environment it will be stored. The more stable the temperature, the lower the risk of the product's properties changing," says M. Rudzys.
Indoor Parcel Lockers Offer Additional Protection Against High Temperatures
Not all parcel lockers are installed under the same conditions. Some are located outdoors, where they may be exposed to direct sunlight, heat, and other weather conditions, while others are installed inside shopping centres and other public buildings.
According to Lithuanian hygiene regulations governing public buildings, specific indoor climate requirements apply. During the warm season, indoor temperatures must be maintained between 18°C and 28°C, while relative humidity must remain between 35% and 65%.
According to M. Rudzys, these conditions significantly increase the likelihood that parcels will remain unaffected by extreme environmental conditions.
"Parcel lockers installed indoors provide much more stable storage conditions, where parcels are less exposed to fluctuations in outside temperatures. Of course, this doesn't eliminate the need to collect parcels as soon as possible, but for more temperature-sensitive products, a stable environment is an additional advantage," he emphasises.
What Cannot Be Sent via Parcel Lockers?
Although millions of parcels are shipped through parcel lockers every year, not every item may be sent this way. There is no single law in Lithuania that defines a comprehensive list of items prohibited from being shipped via parcel lockers. In practice, general legislation, dangerous goods transport regulations, and each parcel carrier's own internal rules apply.
Generally, it is prohibited to ship explosives, pyrotechnic products, firearms, firearm parts and ammunition, flammable or highly combustible substances, chemical reagents, corrosive, toxic or radioactive materials, live animals, as well as perishable food products. Restrictions also apply to medicines, electronics containing lithium batteries, liquids, aerosols, and particularly fragile items. In many cases, these products may only be shipped if additional packaging or transport requirements are met.
"The rule of thumb is simple: if a parcel could explode, catch fire, leak, damage other parcels, pose a risk to people, or cannot be transported safely under standard conditions, it is likely to be subject to additional restrictions or may not be accepted for delivery via a parcel locker at all. That's why it's always worth checking the specific carrier's rules before sending anything," reminds M. Rudzys.
Heat-Sensitive Cosmetics
Experts note that cosmetics are among the most commonly purchased online products and also among the most sensitive to heat. Most manufacturers recommend storing cosmetics at approximately 15–25°C. Exceeding these temperatures may affect not only the product's appearance but also its performance.
For example, nail polish stored in high temperatures for extended periods may become thicker as solvents evaporate more quickly, making it harder to apply and causing it to dry faster inside the bottle. Lipsticks are equally sensitive. High temperatures may soften them, cause them to lose their shape, or even break the first time the packaging is opened after delivery. Creams, lotions, and emulsions can also be negatively affected by heat. Their texture may change, with oil and water separating, leaving the product uneven and less effective. Sheet masks should also be considered heat-sensitive. The active ingredients they contain may be vulnerable to high temperatures, reducing their effectiveness if stored in the heat for too long.
Vitamin C serums are even more sensitive. Vitamin C oxidises easily, and prolonged exposure to high temperatures accelerates this process. This is often visible through a colour change – the serum turns from clear or pale yellow to bright yellow or brown – while its effectiveness declines accordingly.
Perhaps surprisingly, sunscreen should not be left in hot conditions for extended periods either. Manufacturers generally recommend storing it below 30°C, as higher temperatures can affect the stability of the emulsion and reduce the effectiveness of UV filters.
Heat also accelerates the breakdown of fragrance compounds, meaning perfumes exposed to high temperatures may develop altered scents, weakened fragrance notes, or reduced longevity.
Food Supplements and Vitamins
Food supplements are another product category frequently delivered via parcel lockers. Although most supplements are not classified as perishable, manufacturers also specify recommended storage conditions.
For example, probiotics are generally recommended to be stored below 25°C, with some products even requiring refrigeration. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures may reduce the number of viable bacteria.
Fish oil supplements are also sensitive to heat, as higher temperatures accelerate oxidation, potentially affecting both smell and taste.
Certain vitamins, particularly vitamin C and some B vitamins, are likewise more susceptible to prolonged heat, which accelerates the degradation of their active ingredients.
The Most Important Thing Is to Plan Both Your Purchase and Collection
According to the SmartPosti representative, the vast majority of parcels reach their recipients without any issues, so hot weather should not discourage people from choosing the convenience of parcel lockers.
However, M. Rudzys advises consumers to consider what product they are ordering, where it will be delivered, and how quickly they will be able to collect it, especially when purchasing cosmetics, food supplements, natural oils, or other temperature-sensitive products.
"In these cases, it's worth planning your schedule so that the parcel doesn't remain in the locker for longer than necessary. While parcels are usually delivered within one working day, more complex deliveries may occasionally take several days. Therefore, if you expect your parcel to arrive over the weekend while you're away, it may be wiser to schedule delivery for the following working week," advises M. Rudzys.
He also recommends considering the delivery location. Parcel lockers installed inside public buildings offer a more stable environment, helping to reduce the impact of external temperatures. This simple choice can help preserve the product's intended quality and ensure you receive it in the condition the manufacturer intended.