• Last mile package theft – commonly referred to as “porch piracy” -- is a significant challenge for the entire parcel delivery industry, impacting consumers, retailers, and delivery providers alike.
   
• Package theft creates substantial financial burdens and operational disruptions across the delivery and ecommerce ecosystems, and may also erode consumer trust in ecommerce merchants, postal operators, and private delivery providers.
   
• Effectively combatting package theft will require collaboration among retailers, delivery providers, and consumers.
   
• As a highly trusted government agency with a public service mission and a dedicated law enforcement presence, the Postal Service is uniquely positioned to be at the forefront of future efforts to address package theft.

Package theft is a significant challenge for the entire parcel delivery industry, impacting consumers, retailers, and delivery providers alike. With at least 58 million packages stolen in 2024, theft creates substantial financial burdens and operational disruptions across the delivery and ecommerce ecosystems. The prevalence of theft may also erode consumer trust in ecommerce merchants, postal operators, and private delivery providers, particularly as these entities strategically navigate the rapid growth of ecommerce and its associated demands.

Image

This report explores the multifaceted nature of package theft and its implications for key stakeholders in the ecommerce ecosystem. Because this theft occurs at the intersection of multiple stakeholders, it is a more complex issue than theft that happens under the direct control of an individual value chain actor. While available data gives an indication of the scale of the problem, fragmented reporting practices and verification issues complicate efforts to understand the full scope of package theft, underscoring the need for improved data collection and analysis to better develop effective mitigation strategies.

Some of the collaborative strategies that help mitigate package theft include offering and making use of flexible and secure delivery options, leveraging technology for enhanced tracking and theft prevention, utilizing discreet packaging and package delivery placement, and sharing data and analytics on package theft. Significant progress in reducing package theft could be made if stakeholders – including delivery providers, shippers, and law enforcement – worked more closely together in their efforts to safeguard consumers’ property. The Postal Service currently plays an active role in combatting package theft. And, as a highly trusted government agency with a public service mission, the Postal Service can be at the forefront of future coordinated efforts to further address the problem.

By uniting efforts across stakeholders, the delivery ecosystem can strengthen its resilience, ensuring a secure and reliable experience for all. For the Postal Service, effectively tackling this challenge is central to maintaining public trust, supporting the continued growth of e-commerce, and fulfilling its broader public service mission.

Rick Schadelbauer, Aaron Anfinson, Matthew Fox, and John Althen contributed to this report.