New feature - Alternative locations

:new: What’s new?

We’re excited to introduce a new feature that gives you more flexibility in how packages are delivered: Alternative Delivery Locations.

With the new alternative_locations array, you can now provide fallback delivery instructions such as leaving the package with a neighbour or in a safe place when an in-person handover is not possible. This reduces the need for courier-to-support contact and helps ensure successful deliveries even when your customer is not at home.

:magic_wand: What’s the impact?

This feature helps reduce operational burden and improves the end-customer experience, as packages can still be delivered even when the recipient is absent based on their own instructions.

:light_bulb: How does it work?

When creating a job, you can include the alternative_locations array inside the delivery_options object.
Currently, this array can contain only one object, which must include the following fields:

  • type: the fallback delivery location, which can be either neighbour or safe_place
  • instructions: specific guidance for the courier

Example usage:

"delivery_options": {
  "alternative_locations": [
    {
      "type": "neighbour",
      "instructions": "Leave with the neighbour in apartment 3B"
    }
  ]
}

OR

"delivery_options": {
  "alternative_locations": [
    {
      "type": "safe_place",
      "instructions": "Leave inside the blue box near the entrance"
    }
  ]
}

Example implementation:

You can map these alternative locations on your side so that, when placing an order, the end-customer can select an alternative location (e.g. “leave with neighbour”) and add specific instructions. This way, your integration can automatically populate the alternative_locations array in the job creation payload when relevant.

Please note the courier will always first attempt to deliver the package directly to the end-customer.

  • If the end-customer is absent and an alternative location is provided, the courier will follow those instructions.
  • If no alternative location is specified, the default in-person delivery process applies.

:date: When will this change take place?

This feature is already live and available for use.

:eyes: What’s next?

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