Returning paper-based assessments: using the Yellow Label Service

This page contains information on how to send completed assessment papers for marking using the Yellow Label Service (eligible assessments only).

What is the Yellow Label Service and what can it be used for?

The Yellow Label Service is a traceable external assessment dispatch service provided by Parcelforce Worldwide which allows centres to arrange high security collections to return papers to us, at no cost to you. NCFE offers the Yellow Label Service for our T Level Technical Qualification core exam papers A and B, paper-based Functional Skills assessment papers (English and maths only), and Level 1/2 Technical Award (V Cert) qualifications.

What do centres need to do?

If papers for a qualification or assessment are eligible to be returned via the Yellow Label Service, you must prepare for this collection by packing all assessment materials (including completed papers and the invigilators’ register) into the grey envelopes received with the papers. Please then store the papers in a secure location in your centre until they’re collected by Parcelforce Worldwide. 

You should: 

• check that envelopes are securely sealed 
• store packages securely until the courier arrives 
• ensure all relevant colleagues are prepared for the collection and packages are clearly identified and ready to collect 
• complete the dispatch log before the Parcelforce Worldwide driver arrives. 

Further details can be found here. 

When will the papers be collected? 

Collection arrangements

As Parcelforce is working towards a new combined parcel network with Royal Mail, awarding organisations are working to align their IT systems with new Parcelforce systems by the end of July 2026.

There will be temporary collection arrangements in place from April to July 2026, before reverting to the standard arrangements from August 2026.

April to July 2026

Scheduled collections

During summer 2026, there will be scheduled collections between April and June. This includes centres administering Functional Skills.

Parcelforce will arrange daily collection slots with centres that have at least 3 exam sittings in any week from the start of April until the end of the JCQ’s timetabled summer exam series on Tuesday 23 June.

Ad hoc collections – temporary process

Centres that do not qualify for scheduled collections or have exams outside of the common timetable would usually arrange ad hoc collections on the Parcelforce website or by calling the Parcelforce exams helpdesk.

However, for summer 2026 exams between April and June, and Functional Skills between April and July, the online booking system will not be available and centres do not need to call the Parcelforce exams helpdesk. Instead, Parcelforce will attend each centre on the next working day following each scheduled exam sitting, noting that:

• Parcelforce will arrive between 9am and 4pm
• Friday 1 May will be the last collection day before the Early May bank holiday – Parcelforce will then return from Tuesday 5 May onwards
• Friday 22 May will be the last collection day before the Spring bank holiday – Parcelforce will then return on Tuesday 26 May, but that will be the last scheduled collection before the May half term break
• Monday 2 June will be the first collection day after the May half term break
• exam centres can book additional ad hoc collections between Wednesday 27 May and Friday 29 May, provided someone will be available at the centre to hand over the packages and complete the dispatch log, by calling the Parcelforce exams helpdesk on 0344 561 7998
• If your papers are not ready when the Parcelforce driver arrives and you do not have a scheduled collection or any other sittings that week which Parcelforce would attend to complete a collection, you would need to contact the Parcelforce exams helpdesk to arrange a collection.
• Parcelforce will only attempt collection based on the scheduled assessment date itself you will not be able to arrange a bespoke collection prior to the scheduled exam date.

From August 2026

The collections booking process will revert to the usual arrangements from August 2026, although there will be a new online collection booking system.

Scheduled collections

Parcelforce will arrange daily collection slots with centres that have exam sittings, excluding Functional Skills, on 3 or more days in any week during the JCQ’s timetabled summer exam series (May to June).

Ad hoc collections

You must book individual collections if your centre does not qualify for scheduled collections or requires collections in addition to the scheduled ones:

• You must complete each booking at least 24 hours in advance, although you can book up to 14 days ahead.
• You can make a booking by selecting ‘Arrange Online’ on the Parcelforce website or by calling the Parcelforce exams helpdesk on 0344 561 7998.
• You will receive a booking reference number for each booked collection, which you should note on a dispatch log.

What should we do if the driver does not turn up? 

You must contact Parcelforce Worldwide directly on 0344 561 7998. 

What should we do if we lose the yellow label? 

If a yellow label is lost or has not arrived within the allocated time, you can contact NCFE at [email protected] to apply for a replacement. Labels are valid for two weeks from the date they’re produced. You shouldn’t request them more than two weeks before the examination date. 

Replacement labels are dispatched within three working days. If the assessment is less than a week away, we may email the labels to you instead, to print them yourself. 

We’ve got yellow address labels leftover. Should we have put more than one label on a package? 

No. All packages must be labelled individually so that the STA can track and trace them through the Parcelforce Worldwide system. Make sure you’re using the correct labels by checking the ‘label printed’ date and destroying any old labels. 

We have multiple yellow label packages that are going to the same address. Can we package them all together? 

No. All packages must be dispatched individually so that NCFE and the STA can track and trace them through Parcelforce Worldwide system. 

Our assessment papers have been dispatched using the wrong yellow address label. What should we do? 

If you’ve used the wrong pre-addressed yellow label, you should contact NCFE at 
[email protected] immediately. We’ll need details of the assessment papers that you’ve sent and the yellow label details, including the unique consignment number along the barcode. 

How can yellow label packages be tracked? 

You can track each package or consignment of assessment papers by using the unique consignment number noted on the exam dispatch log. Trace your package by visiting the Parcelforce Worldwide website and then entering the unique consignment number. 

How can I arrange for Parcelforce to collect my yellow label packages from an alternative address? 

Parcelforce Worldwide will only collect packages from centres that have a registered National Centre Number (NCN). You won’t be able to arrange collection from an alternative address without an NCN.  

If external assessments are administered on an alternative site, arrangements will need to be made for papers to be returned securely to the main site for collection by Parcelforce Worldwide. 

How do I update my National Centre Number (NCN) address details? 

The National Centre Number database is managed by Oxford Cambridge and RSA (OCR). Details on how to request an update can be found on their website. 

Please note, when you access the OCR website looking for details on the NCN register, you may find details on centre inspections. Where NCFE applies for an NCN on a centre’s behalf, these inspections will not apply as we only request entries to the “higher NCN” register which doesn’t require inspection (potential inspection by NCFE Assessment Audit Advisors may still apply and is unaffected by the NCN process). 

If you already have an NCN, you may have an entry on the 'standard' register, meaning an inspection applies. If you update your own details with the NCN, you will also need to tell us (via [email protected]) of that change so that our records match. 

PLEASE NOTE: The Yellow Label Service is not available for centres without a National Centre Number (NCN), centres operating outside of England, and Overseas BFPO schools. Centres without an NCN must return to NCFE themselves using a white label return.

White label returns

If an assessment is not eligible for the Yellow Label Service, or if your centre doesn’t have an NCN, we’ll send you a white label in the assessment pack. Use this to arrange return to the below address, using a secure, traceable courier or postage service, such as Royal Mail Special Delivery. Completed assessment papers must not be returned with only a stamped envelope.

Where a late booking is made meaning no label (either yellow or white) is received, please use the following addresses to return. Again this must be using a secure, traceable courier or postage service, such as Royal Mail Special Delivery. 

What does the Royal Mail and Parcelforce merger mean for the secure dispatch of scripts (yellow label) service?  

In August 2025, Royal Mail and Parcelforce announced their merger and decision to move to a new single delivery network, which involves an integration of their IT systems.  

We’ve been working with Parcelforce and Royal Mail to mitigate the impact of any changes to our current yellow label process, which is currently operated by Parcelforce. The existing systems and process will remain in place until March 2026, and we’ll let you know about any future changes to the process and timeframes. We can confirm that the service will continue under Royal Mail into summer 2026, meaning that although the provider details may change, the service will still work as planned for returning your assessment papers. 

In the meantime, if you have any specific questions, please contact our Assessment Delivery team by email at [email protected].  

Address for white label return:

Paper-based Functional Skills:

NCFE
Q6, Quorum Business Park
Benton Lane
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE12 8BT

T Level, V Cert, and CACHE paper-based assessments:

Restore Digital
1 Dewar Square
Deans Industrial Estate
Livingston
EH54 8SA