29
2020
COVID-19 Shipping Update and Suggestions
An article by shipsurance
Due to the change in the current global environment caused by COVID-19, the shipping carriers are experiencing additional challenges when delivering packages. There has been an increase in lost and misdelivered packages. The carriers are using social distancing when delivering packages and are not requiring physical signatures even when the signature confirmation service is added to shipments. The carriers have made some adjustments when fulfilling deliveries that will hopefully remedy some misdelivered packages. FedEx is also suggesting shippers to select the “Adult Signature Required (ASR)” service and their drivers will obtain a physical signature with a government issued photo ID.
We have some suggestions in order to allow the highest percentage of deliveries to your recipients:
- Try to verify that your intended recipients are available to accept deliveries when they are expected. Some businesses have reduced hours or are closed temporarily. Take advantage of push package tracking services or the carrier provided tracking updates. The USPS Informed Delivery, FedEx Delivery Manager, and UPS My Choice are great options.
- Purchase the Adult Signature Required (ASR) service from UPS and FedEx as they will continue to get signatures on packages. This is especially important for higher dollar items.
- When shipping with the USPS, continue using the “Signature Required” service. The Postal employees may ask to verify the recipient name in lieu of a physical signature, but they will follow the proper procedure and leave notices if the delivery cannot be confirmed.
- Continue to use non-descript, plain packages. As more shipments may be delivered without contact or personal communication, their likelihood to disappear after delivery dramatically decreases if the outer packaging does not allude to the content or to the manufacturer of the content.
We believe that with proper precautions we can all lower the incidences of loss that are occurring and make it through these unusual times. We are not implementing any required changes at this time and look to you to implement the above suggestions and take any additional precautions privy to your business.
