Digital addresses
Digital Addresses for Deliveries
How an exact location code reduces failed deliveries and driver confusion, and how senders, recipients and carriers can use it in the final leg.
Updated 14 October 2026 · 2 min read
Digital addresses improve deliveries by solving the last stretch: getting from a general area to the exact door. A postal address brings a parcel to the neighbourhood; a precise location tells the driver where to stop.
Why the last stretch is difficult
By the time a parcel is on the final vehicle, the driver has often been given only a street address. If the street is long, the numbering is irregular, or the building has several entrances, the driver may need to phone the recipient or leave without delivering. Each failed attempt costs time and money.
What an exact location adds
- Direct navigation. The driver can open the point in a map app and follow directions.
- Fewer calls. There is less need to phone for directions.
- Better first-attempt success. The driver arrives at the correct entrance on the first visit.
- Language independence. The code works regardless of the language or script of the street names.
How it fits in the flow
- At checkout, the customer provides their usual address and a precise point.
- At dispatch, the code is stored with the order and shown on the driver's list or app.
- At the door, the driver navigates to the point and uses any access notes.
Any one of these steps can be done manually. A small seller can paste the customer's code into the order notes; a larger platform may automate the capture.
For recipients
Give both your address and the code, and add a short access note. See how to share your location with a courier.
For sellers and platforms
Collecting a point at checkout is the most effective measure. UPCS offers an embeddable map and plugins for WordPress and WooCommerce, PrestaShop and OpenCart; see the plugins page and digital addresses for businesses.
What it does not solve
A code will not tell the driver about locked gates, security procedures or whether someone is home. It also does not change how carriers sort parcels at hubs. See limitations of digital addresses.
Summary
Use the postal address for routing and the digital address for the final approach. Together they cover both ends of the journey.
Frequently asked questions
Do carriers have to accept digital addresses?
Not necessarily. Many carriers sort by postal address, so the digital address is best provided as an extra note that helps the final driver.