What is Proof of Delivery (POD)?

Proof of delivery (POD) is documentation that confirms a shipment has been successfully delivered to the intended recipient at the correct address. Traditional POD involves a physical signature; modern POD includes electronic signatures, GPS-stamped delivery photos, and automated delivery confirmations from carrier scanning systems. POD serves as both operational confirmation and legal evidence of delivery completion.

Why It Matters

POD is the final checkpoint in the order fulfillment process and serves multiple critical functions. It protects sellers against false “item not received” claims, resolves delivery disputes with customers, supports chargeback defense, and triggers final payment in B2B transactions. Without POD, you have no evidence that an order was delivered, leaving you vulnerable to fraud and disputes.

How It Works

• Carrier Confirmation: When a package is delivered, the carrier scans the package barcode, recording the delivery timestamp, GPS location, and delivery method (left at door, handed to recipient, etc.).
• Signature Capture: For signature-required deliveries, the recipient signs on the driver’s device. The signature is stored digitally and linked to the tracking number.
• Photo POD: Many carriers now take a photo of the package at the delivery location, providing visual evidence of where and how the package was left.
• Notification: The delivery event triggers notifications to the seller and customer, updating order status and confirming fulfillment completion.

How Nventory Helps

Nventory integrates with carrier tracking systems to automatically capture and store proof of delivery data for every shipment. When customers claim non-delivery or file chargebacks, the system provides immediate access to delivery confirmation details including timestamps, GPS data, signatures, and delivery photos to resolve disputes quickly.