When senders organise a package to be delivered, they can set the package as having an authority to leave, or ATL. This provides the carrier with permission to leave your delivery in a safe location, even if you aren't at home to sign for the package.
Packages with an authority to leave are almost always delivered on the first attempt, and reduce the burden on you to make sure you are at home when the delivery is due. It also prevents you from having to organise a redelivery, or to go out to a carrier depot or collection point to collect your package.
Safe places for packages with ATL
When delivering a package with ATL, if there is no one at the address to receive it, the driver looks for a safe place to leave the package.
Packages can only be left in places that are:
Out of wet weather
Out of the reach of an animal that a driver can see
Out of direct sight from the road
This could mean that your package is left behind a pole or door, or around a corner of the building.
If the driver can't find a place that they consider safe, they return your package to a depot or collection point, and the carrier notifies you of next steps. Follow the information from the carrier to arrange a redelivery or pickup.