Package theft protection kit for a front porch
Updated
A video doorbell with package alerts, a lockable box and a motion light, plus free carrier tools: the shopping list and setup to make porch deliveries harder to take, with realistic prices.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links to Amazon on this page are affiliate links: buying through them costs you nothing extra.
Before you buy
Packages are easiest to take when they sit visible on a porch for hours. No single device solves that, so this kit uses four layers: don’t let packages sit, hide or lock them, see who approaches and deter.
Layer 1: change where packages go (free)
- USPS Informed Delivery is free and shows a daily preview of incoming mail with status updates on packages, so you know what is arriving.
- FedEx Delivery Manager offers free delivery instructions, hold at a retail location and a vacation hold of up to 14 days; rescheduling and rerouting cost extra.
- UPS My Choice membership is free and lets you set delivery instructions or pick up at a UPS location, though some change requests carry fees.
- For online orders, many retailers let you choose a locker or pickup point at checkout.
Layer 2: a place couriers can use
A lockable box works only if couriers actually use it. Put it where they will see it from the walk, tell them with a delivery instruction (“Please place in the box by the front door”) and leave the lid or slot easy to use. Bolt it to the porch floor or wall if the maker provides mounting holes, and keep it within the doorbell’s view. A box in an HOA community or a rental may need approval; see HOA smart home rules and what renters can install.
Layer 3: a doorbell that sees the package
Whether package alerts are free depends on the maker. Ring’s published Solo and Multi plans, for example, list person, package and vehicle alerts among their features, with up to 180 days of video playback. Another maker lists cloud history tiers that vary by model. Others handle detection locally on the device. Compare what is included before you buy: our video doorbell without a subscription page shows the three-year costs. The mounting height guide shows how to see packages on the doormat.
Layer 4: light and signs
A motion light that switches on when someone approaches helps cameras at night and discourages loitering. See outdoor smart lighting for fixtures and wet-location ratings. Turn a light on a schedule if you are away. A sign is an inexpensive extra.
Where each item goes
| Item | Where | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Video doorbell | About 48 inches high beside the door | Sees visitors and the doormat |
| Package box | Beside the door, inside the doorbell’s view, out of street view | Easy for couriers, recorded, less visible from the road |
| Motion light | Above the door or the box | Lights the approach and the box at night |
| Chime or speaker | Where you spend time at home | You hear the alert |
If a package is stolen
Contact the seller and the carrier first; they have their own claim process. Save the doorbell clip and the tracking record. Whether to call the police, and what the police will accept, is local; ask them for a report number if you file one. Rules and policies vary by retailer and carrier. Protect your account with a unique password and two-factor authentication, as the FTC advises for connected devices.
Core items
Video doorbell with package alerts
$50–$230Watches the porch, alerts your phone when a package arrives and records anyone who approaches it. It is the part of the kit that tells you something happened.
What to look for: package or person detection (check whether it is built in or needs a plan), a view that reaches the floor or a wedge mount, local storage or a plan you accept, power that suits your door
See options on AmazonLockable package box or locker
$80–$300Gives couriers a place to put packages that cannot be lifted off the doormat. This is the step that removes the target rather than recording the theft.
What to look for: steel or heavy-duty body, a lock with keys or a code, a drop slot or lid couriers can use without a key, mounting holes to bolt it down, a size that fits your usual parcels
See options on AmazonMotion-activated porch light
$20–$60A sudden light at night draws attention and gives the doorbell camera better footage. It also helps you see packages after dark.
What to look for: LED, wet-location rating, adjustable motion sensitivity and timer, 120 V fixture, solar or battery model for rentals, warm or neutral white
See options on AmazonNice to have
Indoor chime or smart speaker alert
$20–$40A battery doorbell cannot ring a wired chime. A plug-in chime or a smart speaker announces a press or package alert while you are home.
What to look for: made for your doorbell’s maker, adjustable volume, plugs into any outlet
See options on AmazonmicroSD card for local recordings
$10–$25Lets a doorbell with a card slot keep clips without a cloud plan, so you can show the footage to the carrier or police.
What to look for: high-endurance card, capacity within the maximum the doorbell maker lists (one model lists up to 128 GB)
See options on Amazon“Video surveillance” sign
$5–$15A visible sign tells passersby they are recorded. It deters casual theft but is no substitute for a locked box.
What to look for: weatherproof aluminum or plastic, UV-resistant print, wording that matches your actual system
See options on AmazonAnti-theft mounting hardware for the doorbell
$10–$25Battery doorbells can be unclipped. A lock or security screw makes removing it harder.
What to look for: made for your doorbell model, tamper-resistant screws, instructions for your mount
See options on AmazonStep by step
- Sign up for USPS Informed Delivery, FedEx Delivery Manager and UPS My Choice, and set delivery instructions on each.
- Choose where the box goes: next to the door, bolted down, inside the doorbell’s view.
- Mount the doorbell at about 48 inches, check the live view of the doormat and set up package alerts and activity zones.
- Install the motion light and set its sensitivity so the street does not trigger it.
- Add the chime or speaker alert and a microSD card if the doorbell takes one.
- Test: place a box on the doormat, walk up and check the alert, the clip and the light.
- Add a delivery note to your address in each carrier app and with retailers, then recheck it a week later.
Cheaper or upgraded versions
Budget version, about $60–$150: no new box. Use free carrier tools (hold at location, delivery instructions) and a battery doorbell or a motion light. A good fit for renters and apartment buildings with a package room; see smart apartment intercoms.
Upgrade, often $400–$900: a wired doorbell with local storage, a bolted steel locker or a larger box, a wired floodlight and a second camera covering the driveway. Have a licensed electrician install wired fixtures if you are unsure, and follow local code. For a full entry setup, see the front door security kit.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most effective way to stop package theft?
Remove the target: hold packages at a retail location, ship to a locker or use a lockable box couriers can reach. A doorbell and a light add alerts and footage, but they do not remove the package.
Do I need a subscription for package detection?
It depends on the maker. Some doorbells list package alerts in a paid plan; others do detection on the device. Check the feature table and the price over three years before you buy.
Can I use a package box if I rent?
Usually a freestanding box on your porch is fine, but check your lease and building rules, and bolt-down options may need approval. In apartment buildings, ask about a package room or lockers.
Will a video doorbell stop thieves?
It can discourage some and gives you footage, but it does not hold the package. Pair it with a locked box and delivery instructions.
Sources
- USPS — Informed Delivery (free daily mail preview and package status)
- FedEx — Delivery Manager (hold at location, delivery instructions, vacation hold)
- UPS — Change a delivery (UPS My Choice, delivery instructions, pickup at a UPS location)
- Ring — Protect subscription plans (prices as listed on the maker’s page, Oct. 2026)
- Federal Trade Commission — Securing your internet-connected devices at home