Signature verification is one of the most important aspects of safe package delivery. Since the dawn of time, delivery companies have needed signatures on unique products, but it’s not always clear whether or not something you’ve ordered will need one.
UPS US Postal Service FedEx DHL Express
Signature confirmation, for example, is a value-added service given by UPS for orders over a specific dollar level. Most of these firms will specify whether or not your delivery will need a signature in your shipping confirmation email. If you want to learn more about each company’s policies, you’ll need to contact their customer service departments.
What Kinds of Deliveries Need to be Signed?
Most delivery services need signatures on certain sorts of orders, in addition to orders over a certain cash amount. This includes, but is not limited to the following:
Orders including Alcohol Orders including firearms-related productsOrders including pharmaceuticals
Not only will these orders demand a signature, but the signatory will also need to show that they are at least 21 years old by presenting a government-issued image ID in most situations. These laws may differ depending on where you live.
How Can I Tell If My Package Needs to Be Signed?
For multiple reasons, different couriers need different forms of signatures. Signatures are typically needed if the products in the order are exceptionally valuable or cannot lawfully be distributed to anybody under the age of 21.
However, you may usually check the shipping confirmation email that was provided to you to see if your delivery will need a signature. In most cases, shipping confirmation emails will include a wealth of useful information, such as your tracking number. They will also usually inform you whether a signature is necessary for package delivery.
Signatures are needed in different ways including:
Indirect Signature: These are signatures from pretty much anybody who will be receiving the box. The signature is not needed to produce identification, and the name on the package does not have to match the signatory’s name.
Adult Signature: These are adult signatures received at the time of delivery. Certain things, such as alcohol and firearms, will require this. When signing for the delivery, signatories will need to present evidence of age, so a valid ID is available.
Direct Signature: This is when the package must be signed for by someone who lives at the delivery address. Deliveries needing a direct signature are made to the address on the label, not to a specific person. If no one is available to accept the package, the delivery may be tried again.
Conclusion
It’s a good rule of thumb to be ready to sign for your box, especially if it’s exceptionally valuable or contains products that are only available to adults. In most cases, your delivery confirmation email will also include information on the signature confirmation
