1.7 Million Packages Go Missing Daily in the US – Is Yours One of Them?

E-commerce has become a dominant trend. Due to the pandemic's impact on physical retail, the past year marked the peak of online shopping. Planes in the sky, trucks on the roads, and ships at sea were all packed with parcels from around the globe. Behind this shopping frenzy, many of us have encountered this unfortunate problem: What to do when a package goes missing?

As Online Shopping Booms, Porch Pirates Grow Bolder

As of now, the U.S. Department of Commerce has not released official 2020 statistics. However, according to Digital Commerce 360 estimates, U.S. online sales in 2020 likely grew by 40.3% year-over-year, reaching $839 billion, accounting for 21% of total retail sales.

A survey by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, a private university in New York, revealed that in 2019, an average of 1.7 million packages were stolen, lost, or misdelivered daily in the U.S., resulting in direct financial losses and labor costs exceeding $25 million. For example, in New York City, out of approximately 1.5 million total packages, 90,000 were lost—a 20% increase from four years ago.

Package thieves are becoming increasingly brazen.

A C+R Research study found that, on average, one in three American online shoppers has experienced package theft. Additionally, 42% of respondents said they avoid purchasing expensive items online due to theft concerns. This means that, beyond direct financial losses, package theft also costs e-commerce businesses potential customers.

Porch Pirates Thrive in Urban Areas

Does where I live affect package theft risk? A 2020 Wakefield Research survey shows—it absolutely does. Package theft is most prevalent in urban areas, where 34% of residents reported stolen packages in 2018. In contrast, only 20% of suburban and 13% of rural respondents reported similar issues. This makes sense—urban areas have higher population and package density, while suburbs and rural regions are more spread out, making theft less appealing to porch pirates.

Notably, the San Francisco Bay Area, home to Silicon Valley, "earned" the title of the worst region for package theft in the U.S. Rounding out the top six are other major metro areas: Salt Lake City (Utah), Portland (Oregon), Baltimore, Seattle, and Chicago. Interestingly, California has three regions in the top 10—Bay Area, Los Angeles, and Sacramento—leaving residents unsure whether to feel proud or frustrated.

In truth, porch pirates rarely know what’s inside a package—they’re simply opportunistic, hoping for a lucky score.

On January 10, 2021, the Japanese government confirmed that four travelers arriving from Brazil tested positive for the new COVID-19 variants first detected in the UK and South Africa. The same day, similar variants were identified in Brazil. Currently, the transmissibility and severity of these strains remain unclear.

What to Do If Your Package Is Stolen?

So, what should you do if your package is stolen? According to Wakefield Research, most Americans don’t call the police first—they contact the seller or platform. In most cases, U.S. consumers don’t bear the loss because sellers absorb it. Major platforms like Amazon typically issue refunds or replacements. Zhou You from Yamibuy explains that when users report missing packages, they prioritize refunds but also encourage filing police reports—retaining customers with good service matters more than the lost merchandise.

Amazon allocates $9 billion annually for lost packages and returns. Does this mean Amazon silently eats the cost? Not exactly. Sellers factor these losses into pricing, meaning buyers ultimately foot the bill.

As America’s e-commerce giant, Amazon’s primary countermeasure is expanding its self-service pickup network. The company has installed Amazon Hub Lockers in over 900 U.S. cities. Upon arrival, customers receive a barcode to unlock their package—a system similar to China’s Hive Box. Amazon also partners with retailers like GNC for in-store pickups. However, "doorstep delivery" remains a key online shopping perk, and requiring pickup may deter some shoppers.

Ultimately, combating package theft may require stricter laws. Republican-led states are enacting harsher penalties. Texas passed HB 37 in 2019, making theft of 10+ packages a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and $10,000 fines. South Carolina’s Defense Against Porch Pirates Act also treats theft as a felony. As theft worsens, more states are joining the legislative effort. Remember: while malice shouldn’t be assumed, vigilance is key. Installing security cameras not only protects your property but also deters thieves.