For some countries or regions, a valid phone number is required due to shipping and delivery challenges. Otherwise, the parcel may be returned or destroyed locally, which can result in a low delivery rate.
Valid Phone Numbers Are Required for the Following Countries
Israel
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Saudi Arabia
Jordan
Lebanon
Kuwait
Bahrain
Qatar
Finland
Why these Middle East Countries Require a Valid Phone Number
Those countries have unique shipping and delivery challenges that make a valid phone number critical for successful delivery. Here’s why:
Unclear or Incomplete Address Systems: In many parts of the Middle East, postal address systems are not as standardized as in other regions. This means that delivery drivers may rely on local knowledge or phone calls to locate specific addresses, especially in more rural or densely populated areas.
High Dependency on Phone Contact for Delivery: In these countries, delivery companies often cannot complete the delivery without first contacting the customer. If the customer is unreachable by phone, the package may be delayed, returned, or marked as "undeliverable."
Last-Mile Delivery Challenges: Many countries in the region face challenges related to "last-mile" delivery (getting the package from the local hub to the customer). Phone numbers are essential for coordinating this step, especially when the address is hard to find or the customer is not at home at the time of delivery.
Why Finland Require a Valid Phone Number?
Due to high labor costs and a sparse population in Finland, home delivery is not the primary delivery method. As a result, parcels are widely delivered to parcel lockers and pickup points. Pickup notifications, access codes, and exception handling all rely on the recipient’s mobile phone number, so providing a correct phone number is crucial to ensure successful delivery.
The recipient’s mobile phone number is needed for sending a text message about pickup codes, if there’s an issue with delivery, address clarification, or customs. without a valid phone number because the carrier cannot notify the recipient easily. This can lead to parcels being held longer at post offices or pickup points, or even returned if unclaimed.