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How Many Packages Get Lost Every Day in the US (And How You Can Protect Yours)

Created by: Melody | Published on: October 1, 2025

How Many Packages Get Lost Every Day in the US
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Every single day in the US, around 1.7 million packages are lost or stolen. That’s more than 600 million packages a year. If you’ve ever worried about whether your shipments will safely reach your customers, you’re not alone. As a packaging expert at Pakoro, I want to walk you through the scale of the problem, why it happens, and most importantly—what you can do to protect your business.

The Scale of Package Loss in the US

Reports from Security.org and research by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute confirm that 1.7 million packages go missing daily in the US. That means every second, dozens of boxes are lost, damaged, or stolen.

For retailers like you, that isn’t just a shipping issue—it’s a brand reputation risk. Customers don’t just lose a product; they lose trust.

Delivery truck with many packages, some left outside without supervision.

Why Do So Many Packages Get Lost?

You might be wondering—why are so many packages disappearing? The truth is, there are three main reasons:

  1. Porch theft (porch pirates): Thieves target packages left outside homes.
  2. Sorting and delivery errors: With millions of parcels in transit, mis-scanning or misrouting happens.
  3. Damage during transit: Packages too damaged to deliver may be discarded or marked as lost.
Porch pirate stealing a delivery package from a front door.

When Does Package Loss Increase?

The risk isn’t the same all year. During holiday peaks and sales seasons, when delivery volumes surge, loss rates climb. With more trucks, more drivers, and tighter deadlines, errors and theft are simply harder to avoid.

What Can You Do to Prevent Package Loss?

Here’s where you can take action. Whether you are a small business or an established brand, you can reduce your risk:

  • Enable real-time tracking: Sign up for SMS or email alerts for every shipment.
  • Require signatures: Don’t let valuable goods sit unprotected.
  • Use secure delivery options: Lockers, pickup points, or workplace addresses are much safer than doorsteps.
  • Invest in strong packaging: A well-sealed, durable package reduces the chance of being flagged as “damaged in transit.”

At Pakoro, we help brands like yours design tamper-resistant and durable packaging. Stronger packaging isn’t just about protection; it also signals to carriers and thieves that this parcel is harder to damage or steal.

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Why Strong Packaging Matters More Than Ever

Think about it: If you reduce theft opportunities and protect your product during transit, you automatically lower your chance of loss. Cheap, flimsy boxes are easy targets. But custom packaging with reinforced seals and clear branding not only travels safer, it reassures your customers that their goods are secure.

That’s exactly what we do at Pakoro. From corrugated mailer boxes to tamper-resistant gift boxes, we make sure your packaging works as a first line of defense.

📩 Contact us today at melody@pakoro.com to discuss secure packaging solutions for your business.

Final Thoughts

Yes, millions of packages get lost every single day—but your business doesn’t have to be part of that statistic. By tracking smarter, choosing secure delivery, and investing in durable packaging from Pakoro, you can protect both your products and your brand reputation.

Create your dream custom packaging
MelodyHey there, I’m Melody
I’m from Pakoro. We are a professional custom boxes packaging manufacturer in China. We provide high quality paper box packaging for packing your products. Get an instant quote for your projects now!
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