How to Prevent Package Theft: Tips for Stores and Shoppers
By Denise Ibara · Reviewed by Walt Moscoso, CEO of RapidXO · Updated October 2026
Package theft is common: a 2025 SafeWise survey estimated 104.3 million packages were stolen from US households in 12 months, with an average value of $143. Here's what stores and shoppers can do about it.
What stores can do
At checkout
- Add a delivery instructions field ("side door," "leave with building manager").
- Offer pickup points or lockers where your carriers support them.
- Offer shipping protection as a clear opt-in, so a stolen package is covered.
- Validate addresses to cut misdeliveries that look like theft.
When packing
- Use plain packaging for high-value or recognizable products. Brand logos and product images on the box advertise what's inside.
- Right-size the box so it fits in mailboxes and parcel lockers where possible.
When shipping
- Send delivery-day notifications so customers bring packages in quickly.
- Require a signature on your highest-value orders. It adds cost and some missed deliveries, so use it selectively.
- Watch for patterns: addresses or areas with repeated losses.
What shoppers can do
Share these tips on your shipping page and in order confirmation emails:
- Use delivery alerts and bring packages in promptly.
- Ship to a workplace, pickup point, or locker if no one is home.
- Leave delivery instructions for a safer spot.
- Ask a neighbor to collect packages when you're away.
- Consider a doorbell camera or a lockable parcel box.
- Add shipping protection at checkout for valuable orders.
Which steps work best?
| Step | Cost to the store | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery notifications | Low | Shortens time on the doorstep |
| Pickup points / lockers | Low to medium | Removes the doorstep entirely |
| Plain packaging | Low | Makes packages less tempting |
| Signature required | Medium (fees, missed deliveries) | Strong for high-value orders |
| Shipping protection | None with customer-paid, insured protection | Doesn't stop theft, but covers it |
When theft still happens
No combination of steps stops every theft. When a package goes missing after delivery, follow our delivered-but-not-received playbook. If the order had Rapid Protect, the customer files a claim and most are resolved in 5 to 7 business days.
Cover the thefts you can't prevent
Rapid Protect covers stolen, lost, and damaged packages up to $5,000 per shipment, insured by Navigators and The Hartford.
See how Rapid Protect worksFrequently asked questions
What is the best way to prevent package theft?
Reduce how long packages sit outside: delivery alerts, pickup points or lockers, and delivery instructions. Plain packaging and signatures on high-value orders also help.
Does plain packaging reduce package theft?
It can. Branded boxes and product images advertise what's inside, while plain outer packaging makes a package less tempting.
Should I require signatures to prevent theft?
For high-value orders, yes. Signatures add fees and some missed deliveries, so most stores use them selectively.
How many packages are stolen each year?
SafeWise estimated 104.3 million packages were stolen from US households in the 12 months to August 2025.
Does shipping protection prevent package theft?
No, it covers the cost when theft happens. Rapid Protect pays claims through an insurer, so the store doesn't absorb the loss.
