Can You Mail a Package Without a Name?
TL;DR
- You can mail packages without a name or with a fake name, but it may cause delivery issues.
- Couriers rely on the recipient’s name, especially in apartments or PO box deliveries, for accurate delivery.
- Writing a fake name can lead to failed deliveries, misdelivered packages, or parcels held at storage facilities.
- For easier identification, use initials or a shortened version of your real name instead of a fake name.
Click to ship up to 70% cheaper
One way to protect your privacy would be receiving mail or packages using a fake name. Even though it isn’t illegal to write a fake name on a shipping address, there may be some consequences when mailing packages with nicknames only. You can receive packages using a fake name, but first, let’s see why courier companies do not recommend this.
You can your package without a name or you can put any nickname on the package if you have the delivery address to a house. If you live in an apartment building, and the package has your address but a different name, the driver may not be able to find you.
We recommend you always put a name on the package, preferably the correct name, to avoid misdelivery, failed delivery attempts, lost packages, or similar.
Read more about:
- What is a shipping address?
- How to write the address on the package
- Handwritten shipping labels
- Why is the recipient’s name important?
- Can I mail a package without a return address?
When shipping through our platform, you always need to put a name on the package because the name and other correct information will ensure successful delivery.
Can I use a fake name for shipping or receiving mail and parcels?
It is not illegal to use a fake name when mailing, and in general, you can use a fake name or a pseudonym on the shipping address if the intent is not fraudulent.
Do you have to put a name on a package when mailing it to another address?
You may be wondering if the name on the shipping address matter and the answer is that yes it does make a great difference when using mailing with a real name. This information is used for the sole purpose of a succcessful delivery.
You may also be interested in:
However, you do not have to always put the real name. Instead, you can write a fake name when shipping but we advise you to give accurate details for successful delivery. Check out what happens if you mail a package without a name or with a fake name in the following scenarios:
- Shipping to an apartment building – Apartment buildings have just one address, and in most cases, the courier driver hands over the packages based on the name written on the shipping label. If you forgot to put the recipient’s name on the package, there is a chance that the shipment will be sent back to the sender.
- Shipping to a house – The shipment may be delivered to the right person even if you forgot to put the recipient’s name on the package or envelope. Remote areas, villages, or small communities are not as populated as urban areas, so the courier driver may have an easier time finding the right person based on the delivery address written on the package.
Shipping to a PO box address with a fake name or a pseudonym
Even though it depends on the local post office, you can ship to a PO box with a pseudonym in most cases. The only thing important is that you provide the correct PO box number.
Before you decide to ship to a PO box address under a fake name, keep in mind that some postal offices may require a list of authorised names for receiving mail. In this case, you need to register your pseudonym as a legitimate receiver.
Can I send a package with no name or a fake name through Eurosender?
At Eurosender, we always choose the safest delivery option, and you can contribute to this by providing us with the name of the receiver. For every shipment sent through Eurosender, we always ask for the recipient’s contact details, which includes the full name of the receiver, to avoid any unwanted scenarios. Are you wondering what could go wrong if you ship a package with no name or under a pseudonym? Continue reading to find out!
Writing a fake name on shipping address – The consequences
We already established that it is not illegal to write a fake on a shipping address unless you are using someone else’s identity or sending something illegal. However, there are still some risks associated with shipping parcels under a pseudonym or a fake name:
- Misdelivered package – If you send the package without a name, it may end up in the wrong hands if more people live at the same delivery address.
- Failed delivery attempt – The courier driver may not be able to locate the consignee, which means the parcel will either be sent back to the sender or held in the depot until further notice.
- Parcel held in storage – If the courier driver did not find anyone present at the address when delivering the parcel, in some cases, you would need to collect the parcel yourself from the postal office or closest logistics provider storage. Upon collection, you will have to present a valid ID to confirm that you are the intended receiver, which would make the situation more complicated if you had a fake name or pseudonym on the shipping address. You will have to present some proof of payment or order number to prove the parcel’s ownership if you do not have the fake name on the shipping address registered for a legitimate one.
- Lost package – The last reason you should avoid writing fake names on the shipping address is that after a couple of delivery attempts and back and forth from the warehouse, the package may get lost.
Read more about:
What name to use instead of a fake one to receive a package?
Instead of writing a fake name on the shipping address, you can opt for a shorter variant of your name, using your initials and surname. For example, you can write “B. Smith” which would help the courier driver find you faster.
Shipping under a pseudonym from online stores
Did you want to use Mr Mickey Mouse as a pseudonym to receive a package bought online?
As weird as it may seem, some buyers use the most creative names when getting gifts for family members or friends as an inside joke or just a funny way to surprise the receiver. In most cases, the package can be delivered if the rest of the contact information is correct.
Still have questions?
Check our articles that answer the most common questions about shipping.
Click to ship up to 70% cheaper
About the author
Marcel Nahtigal is Head of Marketing at Eurosender, specializing in digital strategies to enhance customer connections in logistics.
