As of: April 8, 2024, 1:30 p.m
By: Marco Blanco Ucles
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Everyone has probably accepted a package for their neighbor at some point. But what happens if he just doesn't pick it up?
The parcel delivery person is at the door even though you haven't ordered anything? Then there is a good chance that the package is intended for your neighbor and they are not at home to receive it. Then you receive the package instead and your neighbor is informed that you have it. Normally, he will ring your doorbell as soon as he gets home. But what if not?
Under no circumstances should you leave the package on your neighbor's doorstep
Everyone has probably accepted a package for their neighbor at some point. But what happens if he doesn't pick it up? © imagebroker/IMAGO
First of all, you should contact your neighbor. The delivery person may simply have forgotten to inform you where the package ended up. However, if the neighbor cannot be reached for a longer period of time and the package in your apartment bothers you - because it is very large, for example - there are other alternatives to getting rid of it. Simply leaving the shipment on your neighbor's door is not an option. Because if it is stolen, you are usually liable for it, explains
Techbook
.
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Even if you may be curious, you should under no circumstances open the package - unless your neighbor asks you to do so - for example while on holiday. Because by doing so you are violating postal secrecy and committing a crime. This can be expensive or, in the worst case, even result in a prison sentence of up to one year.
If you still haven't heard from your neighbor after more than two weeks, you can return the package to the sender. However, you may have to pay the shipping costs, warns
Focus Online
. The second option, however, only involves hassle but no additional costs: you can also hand the package in at the nearest lost property office. If you find that the recipient does not live in your home or neighborhood at all, you should contact the delivery person immediately to discuss further action.