#123 Shopping at an Electronics Store｜French Shopping Phrases
Izumi French Garden
#129 Requesting Redelivery at the Post Office｜French Everyday Phrases
Izumi
If you are unable to receive a package at the time of delivery, you will need to arrange a redelivery.
When requesting redelivery in French, it is important to explain the situation clearly and briefly, and to communicate your preferred date and time for the new delivery.
In this article, I explain useful French expressions for requesting redelivery at the post office, along with key points to help ensure a smooth interaction.
Contents
Dialogue
Je n’étais pas chez moi lors de la livraison et j’aimerais demander une nouvelle livraison.
（I was not at home at the time of delivery, and I would like to request a redelivery.）
D’accord. Avez-vous l’avis de passage avec vous ?
（All right. Do you have the delivery notice with you?）
Oui, le voici. Est-il possible de choisir une date précise pour la nouvelle livraison ?
（Yes, here it is. Is it possible to choose a specific date for the redelivery?）
Oui, bien sûr. Vous pouvez choisir un créneau pour demain ou après-demain.
（Yes, of course. You can choose a time slot for tomorrow or the day after tomorrow.）
Je préférerais demain matin, si possible.
（If possible, I would prefer tomorrow morning.）
Très bien. La livraison est programmée pour demain entre 9h et 12h.
（Very well. The delivery is scheduled for tomorrow between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m.）
Merci beaucoup pour votre aide.
（Thank you very much for your help.）
Je vous en prie. Bonne journée.
（You’re welcome. Have a nice day.）
1. Explaining the Situation and Requesting Redelivery
When arranging redelivery, the first step is to explain briefly why you were unable to receive the package.
- Je n’étais pas chez moi lors de la livraison.
（I was not at home at the time of delivery.）
The expression “lors de …” means “at the time of …” and is commonly used to describe circumstances.
Next, state that you would like to request a redelivery.
- J’aimerais demander une nouvelle livraison.
（I would like to request a redelivery.）
The phrase “J’aimerais …” is a polite way to make a request and is appropriate at a post office counter. “Nouvelle livraison” means “redelivery.”
2. Presenting the Delivery Notice
When arranging redelivery, you are usually asked to present the delivery notice.
- Avez-vous l’avis de passage avec vous ?
（Do you have the delivery notice with you?）
The term “avis de passage” refers to the notice left when a delivery attempt is unsuccessful.
A simple and natural response when presenting it is:
- Oui, le voici.
（Yes, here it is.）
3. Confirming the Redelivery Date and Time Slot
When requesting redelivery, specifying a date and time helps ensure you can receive the package without issue.
- Est-il possible de choisir une date précise pour la nouvelle livraison ?
（Is it possible to choose a specific date for the redelivery?）
“Est-il possible de … ?” is a very formal and polite expression, well suited for requests made at service counters.
The post office staff will often respond with options such as:
- Vous pouvez choisir un créneau pour demain ou après-demain.
（You can choose a time slot for tomorrow or the day after tomorrow.）
The word “créneau” refers to a delivery or appointment time slot and is frequently used in scheduling contexts.
4. Stating Your Preferred Date and Time
From the available options, you can then state your preference.
- Je préférerais demain matin, si possible.
（If possible, I would prefer tomorrow morning.）
“Je préférerais …” is a reserved and polite way to express a preference. Adding “si possible” further softens the request.
Once the delivery time is confirmed, the post office may say:
- La livraison est programmée pour demain entre 9h et 12h.
（The delivery is scheduled for tomorrow between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m.）
The structure “entre … et …” is the standard way to indicate a time range.
Summary
- Je n’étais pas chez moi lors de la livraison.
→ Used to briefly explain why the delivery was missed. - J’aimerais demander une nouvelle livraison.
→ A polite expression for requesting redelivery. - Avez-vous l’avis de passage ?
→ A question used to confirm whether the delivery notice is available. - Est-il possible de choisir une date précise ?
→ Used to ask whether a specific redelivery date can be selected. - Je préférerais ～, si possible.
→ A courteous way to express a preference.
