How do you get parcels delivered safely?
Seven practical ways to stop doorstep parcels from going missing, from delivery notes to pickup points.
Short answer
Add a note in the courier app saying "do not leave at the door, hand to the building caretaker", fit a video doorbell, and route expensive orders to a locked or staffed address such as a parcel locker or pickup point. Using your work address instead of home is the fastest fix of all.
What you need
Step by step
Tell the courier your delivery preference
Register in your courier's app and open the "Delivery Preferences" section to add an address note. Write one clear sentence such as "Do not leave at the door, hand to the building caretaker." If the courier has no app, put the same note in the address description field on the seller's order screen.
Pick a pickup point at checkout
Most large marketplaces let you choose a partner shop, newsagent or courier branch instead of your home address at the payment step. With a parcel locker, the package waits in a locked compartment and you open it with a code sent to your phone. That way the parcel never sits outside your door.
Name a hiding spot instead of the doorstep
If doorstep delivery is unavoidable, name a place that cannot be seen from the street: an enclosed balcony, under the stairs, a bin cupboard, a garden shed. A parcel nobody can see is rarely taken, since most parcel theft is opportunistic rather than planned. Avoid obvious spots like window ledges, the welcome mat and the front gate.
Use signed delivery or a lock for valuables
For high-value items such as phones, computers or jewellery, ask the seller for signature or ID-on-delivery, or set the order to branch collection. For a permanent fix, mount a lockable parcel box at the building entrance and share the code only in the delivery note. Change that code every few months.
Fit a camera and a motion-sensor light
A video doorbell pings your phone the moment a parcel is dropped off, and if it disappears you can hand the footage to the police and the courier. A motion-sensor light announces evening deliveries and discourages anyone working in the dark. A visible camera is a serious deterrent on its own.
Arrange things with the caretaker or a neighbour
If your building has a caretaker or site security, register a written note asking for parcels to be handed to them, and tell the person directly as well. With no caretaker, set up a mutual arrangement with a neighbour you trust; it is the cheapest and most practical option. Keep a backup plan for when that neighbour is away.
Track the handover and file a report fast
Follow the tracking number through SMS or app alerts, and if it shows "delivered" while you have nothing in hand, call the courier the same day. Ask who signed for it and whose signature is on record, then have a loss report opened. Waiting muddies the question of whether the courier or the seller is liable.
Tips
Watch out
Once you approve doorstep delivery, couriers usually refuse liability for a missing parcel. Always request signed delivery for valuables, and open the box in front of the driver: do not sign if there is damage or a missing item until a report is filed.
Frequently asked questions
+My parcel shows as delivered but I do not have it. What now?
Call the courier the same day, ask for the name of the person who took it and the signature record, and have a loss report opened. If nothing comes of it, tell the seller; liability usually sits between the seller and the courier.
+Do parcel lockers and pickup points cost extra?
Pickup points and parcel lockers are normally free, and some platforms even discount the shipping fee. You do need to collect the parcel with your code or QR within the stated time window.
+Can a video doorbell cause problems in an apartment building?
A device pointed at your own doorway is usually fine, but continuously recording shared areas or a neighbour's door can trigger a data protection complaint. Keep the angle limited to your own entrance.
+Who is liable if a parcel left with the caretaker goes missing?
Couriers consider delivery complete once the parcel is handed to building staff. Speak to the caretaker in advance and ask them to keep parcels in a locked space.
+Do dummy cameras work?
They deter to a degree, since an opportunistic thief would rather not take the risk. But they produce no evidence when something does go missing, so a real camera makes more sense.
Sources and verification
Last verified: 13 Eylül 2026. tell us. Adapted from a Turkish guide; courier names and pickup services were generalised for an English-speaking audience.
This content is for information only; for official procedures the relevant institution’s current announcements take precedence. Details: disclaimer.