Did you know you can send or receive a package using the Uber app? The service is called Courier, and it’s a great option for on-demand delivery.
And now Uber Courier has another convenient feature for online shoppers: You can return a package to a shipping center like a FedEx store, UPS store, or the US Post Office.
Here’s how Courier works: After you set up a delivery and enter the delivery details, an Uber driver will pick up and deliver your items. You can have the driver pick it up or drop it off directly to you, or you can have them leave it at your door.
Use Courier to send, return, or receive a package
The best uses for Uber Courier:
- Pick up something you left behind, like your wallet, keys, or a purse
- Urgent business deliveries
- Return online shopping packages to shipping stores or the post office
- Send a last-minute gift to someone in town
- Did your child forget their lunch/sweater/homework at home? Send it to them at school
But there are some downsides: Uber does not insure deliveries, so there’s no easy way to get compensation if something goes wrong.
Uber also restricts deliveries to items worth less than $100, so even an everyday item like a phone or a purse might not be eligible for this service.
Read on to learn how to use Uber Courier!
How to send or receive a package with Uber
To use Uber Courier, tap Services in the bottom menu, then tap Package in the list of services. From there, you can select Send a package, Return a package, or Receive a package.
The next step is to select the pickup and drop-off addresses and enter any delivery notes to help your courier with the delivery.
Find Package in the Services menu
You can also find Uber Courier by entering a destination and scrolling to find the Courier ride type.
You can also enter a destination and scroll to select the Uber Courier ride type
Pickup and drop-off options
After you select Send a package, Return a package, or Receive a package, the next step is to enter pickup and drop-off addresses, then choose pickup and drop-off options.
If you are sending a package, you can let your driver know if you want to meet them with the package at the curb, meet at your door, or leave the package unattended at your door.
You can also fill out the same options for the drop-off location. You can have the driver meet a recipient or leave the package on the doorstep or other secure location.
Leave a detailed note to ensure your driver can find both the pickup and drop-off locations.
Add recipient info and drop-off preferences
How much it costs to send a package via Uber
Like other Uber services, Courier uses upfront pricing to give you an instant price quote. Enter your pickup and drop-off locations to see a price.
After entering the pickup or drop-off location, tap on the Courier box icon to see the price per mile and minute.
But remember that prices aren’t only calculated based on a set rate card. Other factors like local driver supply can change the price in unpredictable ways.
Below is an example of prices in Los Angeles. A delivery down the street was around $5, and a delivery across town was $17.
Enter delivery info to get an up-front price estimate
You can’t use Courier to get a ride!
Because Courier trips are cheaper than passenger trips, some tricky passengers try to use the Courier service to get a cheap ride. You can’t use Courier to get a ride! You can try, but know that you are cheating your driver out of the correct pay for your ride and your ride won’t be properly insured. It’s a big risk and it’s dishonest.
Send a package
Sending a package with Uber Courier is a good option to make a same-day business delivery, send a gift, or send something to your kid’s school or your spouse’s workplace.
When you choose Send a package, you’ll have to input the pickup and drop-off location, pickup and drop-off instructions, and contact info for the recipient.
Small business same-day delivery is one good use case for Courier
Receive a package
Receive a package is a good option if you want to retrieve something you left behind (like a purse or wallet) or if someone wants to send you something and you’re willing to pay for it and arrange the delivery.
After you select Receive a package, you will be asked to input the pickup and drop-off location, pickup and drop-off instructions, and contact info for the sender.
You can retrieve items you left behind
Return a package to FedEx, UPS, or USPS
Returning a package to FedEx, UPS, or USPS with Uber Courier is great for online shoppers who don’t have time to visit a shipping store to return items.
When you arrange a return with Uber, your driver will pick up your package, go to your selected shipping store and drop it off with a shipping clerk.
To return a package, go to Activity > Package > Return a package. The app automatically lists nearby shipping stores and post offices.
The app suggests nearby shipping carriers when you return a package
You must have a return shipping label attached to the package or a prepaid QR code that you can send to your courier. Without a proper shipping label or QR code, your driver won’t be able to complete the return.
Make sure your shipping label is sorted out before you request a return delivery
Temporary promotion: Discount package returns
In some areas, Uber offers a discount on package returns to bring attention to this new service.
Promos may be available for some Courier services
Package guidelines: What you can send or receive
Several guidelines restrict the type of items that you can send via Uber Courier.
Items must be 30 lbs or less, and they must be able to fit into a typical mid-size car. Bulky and heavy items aren’t permitted.
Valuable items are also restricted: Uber says that items should be $100 or less in value.
You can’t send people, alcohol, drugs, medication, firearms, cash or gift cards, or dangerous and illegal items. You also can’t send perishable food like meat and dairy.
Don’t try to ship anything from the list!
However, there aren’t many procedures in place to enforce the guidelines. It’s easy for a driver to refuse an oversized package, but there’s no way for them to know what’s inside a discreet box.
Potential drawbacks
Using Uber for convenient same-day deliveries sounds great on the surface, but there are several drawbacks to consider before you start sending and receiving items.
Deliveries aren’t insured
There is no insurance for Courier! If something goes wrong, there is no built-in procedure to get compensated.
Items can’t be more than $100
The best use for last-minute deliveries in town is to send or recover personal items like a phone, wallet, purse, or keys. But with the $100 restriction, wallets, phones, and purses might technically exceed the maximum value.
And the same goes for same-day business deliveries. A small business might want to send a customer’s order or a piece of equipment to another location, but the $100 limit and lack of insurance is a serious downside.
Potential logistical headaches with pickup and drop-off
Any delivery driver can tell you that there are always complications during pickup and drop-off. Instructions can be unclear. Pickup or drop-off locations can be hard to access. People don’t answer their phones. Delays happen.
If you’re sending or receiving a package, don’t be surprised if the pickup or drop-off isn’t as smooth as you hope. Be ready to communicate with your delivery driver and let the recipient know your plans so they can be ready to receive the package.
Uber drivers aren’t professional couriers
Uber Couriers deliveries are completed by regular Uber drivers, not full-time delivery specialists. An Uber driver who is used to passenger transport might not be the best-equipped person to deal with all of the issues that couriers can run into.
Full-time couriers like Amazon Flex drivers or DoorDash drivers will know what to do if things go wrong. An Uber driver might not want to take the time to figure it out, especially if the delivery isn’t paying them enough for the headaches.
More help for Uber customers
Tim says
Need an Uber to collect some cigarettes and a lighter for me and deliver to darent valley hospital in Dartford urgently
Doug H says
Download the Uber app and see if the connect delivery option is available in your area