How do packages get flagged?

Online shopping has become extremely popular in recent years. The convenience of purchasing items with just a few clicks and having them delivered right to your door is undeniable. However, with the rise in e-commerce, there has also been an increase in issues surrounding package theft and fraud. This has led shipping companies to develop methods for flagging suspicious packages in an effort to combat these problems.

What does it mean for a package to be flagged?

When a package is flagged by a shipping company like UPS, FedEx or USPS, it means that something about the shipment seems suspicious or potentially fraudulent. This could be for several reasons:

  • The delivery or billing address is suspicious
  • The package weight or dimensions don’t match the contents
  • The sender or recipient has a history of fraudulent activity
  • The package is insured for a very high value
  • The package appears to have been resealed or tampered with

When a red flag is raised, the package goes through additional scrutiny and screening. This may involve X-ray scans, verifying addresses, contacting the sender or recipient, obtaining warrants to open the package and inspect its contents, etc. The goal is to intercept potentially illegal or dangerous items like drugs, weapons, counterfeit goods, stolen merchandise, and more.

How do shipping companies identify suspicious packages?

Shipping companies have gotten very sophisticated in how they analyze packages and shipments to identify ones that seem risky or dubious. Here are some of the main techniques they use:

Address Verification

Shippers check the delivery address as well as the return/billing address attached to the package. Fake or nonexistent addresses are a big red flag. They may cross-reference addresses that have been linked to fraud in the past or that seem suspicious (empty lots, foreclosed homes, etc).

Weight and Dimension Evaluation

The weight and dimensions of a package are compared to the stated contents to make sure they align. Significant mismatches often mean contraband is being concealed inside. Large, heavy boxes headed to PO boxes or residences can draw scrutiny.

Declaration Inspection

The declared contents of a package are thoroughly checked to confirm nothing seems suspicious or requires additional permits/fees. Undervaluing contents is a common tactic to avoid customs duties.

Sender/Recipient Checks

The identities, backgrounds, and histories of the sender and recipient are verified. Unverifiable people or addresses affiliated with past fraud make a package risky.

Dogs and Detection

Shipping facilities often employ dogs trained to sniff out drugs, bombs, chemicals, and food contraband. Their noses offer reliable package screening.

X-Ray Scanning

Advanced X-ray systems allow inspectors to view the contents of packages without opening them. This helps identify banned substances, weapons, or unpackaged goods.

Analytics and Targeting

Carriers feed shipment data into analytics programs that evaluate patterns and flag abnormal packages for screening. High-risk characteristics like unusual shipping routes, insured value, or volume patterns can be detected.

Why do packages get flagged?

There are many reasons a package might appear suspicious and prompt further inspection or intervention by shipping companies. Here are some of the most common red flags:

Invalid Addresses

Fake addresses, commercial addresses used for residential delivery, vacant properties, and obscure places all cause concern. Senders may misreport addresses to avoid identification or slip contraband past authorities.

No Signature Required

Waiving the signature requirement removes the need for the recipient to be present and confirm their identity. This appeals to those wanting anonymous package delivery for illicit reasons.

Unverifiable Businesses and People

Packages sent from or to those with false identities, shell corporations, and non-existent businesses are prime candidates for screening. Fakes are commonly used by smugglers and scammers.

Disguised Contents

Mislabeling box contents, false customs declarations, and undervalued packages may conceal illegal items or avoid relevant duties and taxes. Inconsistent labeling and contents raise questions.

Third-Party Shipping

Having a package mailed or redirected by someone other than the buyer or seller can distance dangerous goods or drugs from those involved. Extra handling also increases the risk of interference.

High Declared Value

Expensive package contents reported to carriers often don’t match the actual goods shipped. Inflated values typically attempt to exploit insurance limits and acquire illegitimate payouts.

Prior Seizures

Those who have previously shipped flagged or seized packages arouse increased suspicion in the future. Their shipments may undergo more careful inspection.

Threats Detected

Signs of tampering, odd odors, inconsistencies, or scanner detection of contraband can prompt packages to be held for further examination and safeguarding.

What happens when a package gets flagged?

Once a package has been earmarked for closer inspection, there are standard procedures carriers follow to resolve the situation:

Detailed Scanning

Advanced X-ray, gamma-ray, or imaging technology is used to evaluate the package contents without opening it. Dimensional data aids in detecting inconsistencies.

Warrant Issued

If scans yield very suspicious results, law enforcement may get a warrant to open and inspect the package. This requires evidence suggesting criminal activity or contraband.

Intercepted Delivery

The package may be rerouted or held at a shipping hub pending further screening. It is not allowed to continue normal delivery to its intended recipient at the original address.

Investigation Launched

Depending on what is uncovered, a wider investigation may try to identify those involved, assemble evidence, and plan any busts or arrests warranted to curtail illegal activity.

Refusal/Seizure

If illegal, hazardous, or banned contents are confirmed, the package will be confiscated. Carriers refuse transportation and alert the proper authorities.

Return to Sender

Packages with unusual flags may simply get rejected and sent back to the person who shipped it originally. It never reaches its planned destination.

Recipient Notification

For less serious issues like undervalued customs declarations, the intended recipient may get contacted by the carrier and asked to correct discrepancies before the package is released to them.

What are some examples of packages commonly flagged?

Certain types of packages tend to attract extra attention from shipping companies. Here are some examples:

  • International shipments with odd country pairings (Colombia to Spain, Afghanistan to America)
  • Boxes from individuals to PO boxes or homes near the Mexican border
  • Heavy boxes or barrels sent COD (cash on delivery) to residential addresses
  • High value artwork and antiques sent without proper customs forms
  • Oddly shaped packages or envelopes leaking liquids, powder, smells
  • Mislabeled hazardous materials like lithium batteries
  • Generic packages sent frequently between two addresses

In many cases, these shipments wind up being perfectly legitimate and legal. But the additional scrutiny is worthwhile to intercept any truly dangerous or criminal packages.

What techniques are used to try and avoid package screening?

Those involved in illicit shipping activities use a variety of techniques aimed at bypassing security protocols and preventing their packages from getting flagged:

  • Mislabeling box contents and customs declarations
  • Overpacking or disguising contraband to avoid detection
  • Using valid but unassociated addresses and aliases
  • Sending from locations with minimal security protocols
  • Limiting odor emissions for drug or food shipments
  • Mixing legal and illegal items together
  • Using insider postal employees to bypass screening
  • Shipping to alternate addresses to pick up later

Unfortunately, many smugglers are quite savvy in the way they hide and transport banned goods. This requires vigilant security efforts to try and stay one step ahead of their circumvention tactics.

How can legitimate customers avoid getting packages flagged?

Law-abiding citizens sending and receiving perfectly legal packages can take measures to avoid unnecessary inspection and delays:

  • Use complete, accurate names and addresses when shipping
  • Fill out customs forms thoroughly and honestly
  • Make sure package contents match the stated descriptions
  • Follow shipping regulations around dangerous goods
  • Don’t repackage shipments or remove labels
  • Have tracking numbers, invoices and legitimate contacts handy
  • Respond to carrier inquiries promptly and thoroughly
  • Opt for signature required to confirm receipt

While additional precautions by shippers can seem inconvenient, they help separate lawful packages from criminal shipments.

Conclusion

As international shipping expands more each year, carriers have been forced to take an aggressive stance on intercepting hazardous and illegal packages. Scrutinizing shipments for red flags allows them to target high-risk cargo while allowing millions of legitimate deliveries to flow routinely.

By understanding the reasons packages get flagged, customers can avoid unnecessary hassles. And the general public benefits from the authorities being able to seize dangerous contraband and arrest criminals exploiting mail systems.

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