Delivery and logistics
How to Write Delivery Instructions That Work
Good delivery instructions are short, specific and ordered by what the courier needs first. Learn what to include and see examples you can copy.
Updated 14 October 2026 · 3 min read
Good delivery instructions tell the courier where to go, how to get in and what to do if nobody answers, in as few words as possible. The goal is not to describe your home in detail, but to remove the one or two things that would otherwise stop the driver.
Put the most useful detail first
Couriers see the note on a small screen or a label. Lead with the detail that is hardest to guess:
- Which entrance to use ("Rear gate on the side street").
- Which floor or unit.
- Whether to call before arrival.
What to include
- Entrance or gate: "Brown gate next to the pharmacy."
- Level or unit: "Third floor, door on the right."
- Contact method: "Please call on arrival, I will come down."
- Fallback: "If I do not answer, leave with the security desk."
Combine these into a single note, such as: "Use the side entrance on the pharmacy lane, third floor, door on the right. Call on arrival; if no answer, leave with security."
What to avoid
- Long stories about how to reach the building.
- Directions that depend on a landmark that may change or close.
- Several instructions that contradict one another.
- Sensitive information such as alarm codes.
Instructions for special places
Different buildings need different details. Read the dedicated guides for apartment blocks, gated communities and offices and campuses.
Combine words with a location
Words are good for entrances and fallback choices. Coordinates are good for the position itself. If you can mark a point on a map when ordering, the written note only has to cover access. See pin-drop delivery locations at checkout.
A UPCS code can also be included in a note, for example "UPCS code PK-1A2B-3C4D" (an example format). Anyone can paste it into upcs.io to see the exact point, but this works only if the courier or the shop chooses to use it. A UPCS code is not an official postcode.
Checklist before you submit
- Is the first sentence the most useful one?
- Could a stranger follow it without calling?
- Is there a fallback if you are not available?
- Is your phone number on the order correct?
For a wider list of what to prepare, see the customer checklist for a smooth delivery.
Frequently asked questions
How long should delivery instructions be?
Keep them to one or two short sentences. Couriers read them quickly at the door, so the most important detail should come first.
Should I put my door code in delivery notes?
Only if you are comfortable sharing it. Many people prefer to ask the courier to call instead of writing access codes in a note.