5 Ways Retailers Can Reduce Porch Piracy

Consumers are shopping online more than ever before, turning residential doorsteps into busy delivery zones. Every day, millions of packages arrive at homes around the world, carrying everything from everyday essentials to high-priced gifts. Not all of them make it into the right hands.

In the United States alone, porch pirates stole 58 million packages worth $12 billion in 2024, according to Security.org’s 2024 Package Theft Annual Report. The problem is growing, with ValuePenguin finding that 41 percent of Americans have been victims of porch piracy, up from 35 percent in 2022. Peak shopping seasons and workday delivery hours create perfect conditions for theft, leaving millions of packages vulnerable on doorsteps.

The real cost extends far beyond stolen merchandise. When thieves strike, many customers expect sellers to provide replacements or refunds. Even more damaging to long-term business health, Descartes’ 2025 Ecommerce and Home Delivery Consumer Sentiment Study found 66 percent of consumers reported negative delivery experiences had a direct impact on their perception of the brand and future behavior.

While consumers install doorbell cameras and seek their own solutions, retailers can’t rely on their customers alone to solve this growing problem. Here are five ways retailers can fight back against porch piracy:

1. Offer flexible delivery windows.

Give customers control over when their packages arrive by offering specific delivery time slots at the point of sale to reduce vulnerability. Many retailers and their delivery partners now provide scheduling options that let customers select morning, afternoon, or evening delivery windows. This simple, technology-enabled step eliminates the guesswork and reduces packages sitting unattended for hours.

2. Offer convenient pickup.

For even greater security, provide convenient pickup alternatives that bypass doorstep delivery entirely. Partner with local businesses, install in-store lockers, or coordinate workplace deliveries. Many customers prefer collecting packages from staffed locations rather than hoping they arrive safely at home. These options are particularly beneficial for high-value items or customers in high-theft areas.

3. Enable real-time tracking and two-way communication.

Keep customers informed every step of the way with proactive notifications that go beyond basic tracking. Send alerts when packages are out for delivery, approaching the destination, and delivered. Enable two-way communication between drivers and customers so recipients can provide last-minute delivery instructions, request specific placement locations, or coordinate timing adjustments.

4. Provide smart delivery documentation.

Implement photo proof of delivery with timestamps to create an audit trail. Allow customers to specify safe drop-off locations like behind planters, in garages, or with trusted neighbors. Detailed delivery instructions help drivers make informed decisions about package placement. These measures provide accountability and reduce disputes while giving customers peace of mind about where their packages end up.

5. Offer shipping protection.

Make shipping insurance available at checkout to give customers peace of mind and protect your business from theft-related losses. The business case has never been stronger, and customer demand supports the effort of offering this protection. ValuePenguin reports that 23 percent of consumers have purchased shipping insurance due to fears of theft, and of those, 86 percent say it was worth it.

Modern shipping protection offers fast claims processing that maintains customer relationships when problems occur, allowing retailers to quickly resolve issues rather than engaging in lengthy carrier disputes.

The time for reactive approaches to porch piracy is over. Rather than absorbing the costs of theft, reshipments, and lost customers, retailers and their delivery partners can implement comprehensive solutions that benefit everyone in the delivery chain. Peak shopping season is approaching — now is the time to put these protections in place.

Johannes Panzer is head of industry solutions, e-commerce at Descartes, a provider of on-demand, software-as-a-service solutions focused on improving the productivity, performance and security of logistics-intensive businesses.