What Uber Courier is and who can use it
Uber Courier is Uber's service for delivering packages and documents between locations in your city, separate from Uber Eats food delivery. You order a courier through the Uber app, set a pickup location and a dropoff location, and an Uber driver picks up your item and delivers it. The service is available in select cities across the United States and some international markets, though not everywhere Uber operates.
You do not need to be an Uber account holder to use Courier, but you do need the Uber app installed on your phone or access to the Uber website. You can order a courier delivery for yourself, or you can arrange one on behalf of a business. The driver who accepts your delivery is a regular Uber driver, not a separate courier fleet.
Uber Courier is designed for same-day delivery of items that fit in a car — documents, small packages, retail goods, or personal items. It is not for food delivery (that is Uber Eats) or for items that require special handling like hazardous materials or extremely fragile goods.
Key Takeaways
- Uber Courier uses regular Uber drivers to deliver packages same-day in cities where the service is available, and you order through the standard Uber app.
- You pay a base delivery fee plus a distance fee, and the total shows before you confirm the order — there are no hidden charges added after pickup.
- The driver can see the pickup and dropoff addresses but not your name or phone number until they arrive, and you receive real-time tracking of the delivery.
- Items must fit in a standard car and cannot be hazardous, perishable, or require special equipment to transport safely.
- If a delivery does not arrive or arrives damaged, you can report it through the app and Uber will investigate the claim.
How to order a Courier delivery
Open the Uber app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the top left. Scroll down and select "Courier" — if you do not see this option, Courier is not available in your area yet. Tap "Schedule a delivery" or "Send something now" depending on whether you want same-day delivery or to book in advance.
Enter the pickup address (where the item is now) and the dropoff address (where it needs to go). The app will show you the estimated delivery fee, which includes a base charge plus a per-mile charge. The fee appears before you confirm, so you know the total cost. Tap "Confirm" and the app will begin matching your delivery to an available driver.
Once a driver accepts, you will see their name, photo, and vehicle details. You can track their location in real time as they drive to the pickup location, then to the dropoff. The driver will arrive at the pickup address and may call or text you if they cannot find the item or need instructions on how to handle it.
What items you can and cannot send
Uber Courier accepts most items that fit in a car and are not hazardous or perishable. Common deliveries include documents, small packages, retail goods, electronics, clothing, books, and personal items. The item must be something a driver can safely carry from a car into a building without special equipment.
You cannot send food or beverages (use Uber Eats instead), hazardous materials, weapons, illegal items, live animals, or anything that requires refrigeration or special climate control. You also cannot send items that are extremely fragile unless they are packed securely enough to survive normal handling in a car. If you are unsure whether an item is allowed, describe it in the app's notes section when you place the order, and the driver can decline if it is not safe to transport.
The driver is not responsible for damage to items during transit unless the damage was caused by gross negligence — normal wear and tear or damage from poor packing is not covered. Pack your item securely before the driver arrives.
Pricing and how much Courier costs
Uber Courier pricing varies by city and distance. Most deliveries charge a base fee (typically $5 to $10) plus a per-mile fee (usually $1 to $3 per mile, depending on your location). The app shows the total estimated cost before you confirm the order, so you will know exactly what you are paying.
The price you see is the final price — Uber does not add surge pricing or hidden fees after you confirm. If traffic or route changes cause the driver to take a longer path, you still pay the original quoted price. Tips are optional and can be added in the app before or after the delivery is complete.
Some cities offer Uber Courier through Uber Pass or other subscription plans, which may reduce the per-delivery fee. Check your app to see if a subscription discount is available in your area.
Tracking your delivery and what happens if something goes wrong
Once a driver accepts your delivery, you can track their location on a map in the app. You will see when they arrive at the pickup location, when they leave, and when they arrive at the dropoff. The driver will typically text or call the recipient at the dropoff address to confirm they are there and to hand off the item.
If the delivery does not arrive within the estimated time window, you can contact the driver through the app's messaging feature. If the item arrives damaged or does not arrive at all, open the app, go to the trip details, and tap "Report an issue." Describe what happened and provide any photos if you have them. Uber will review your report and may refund the delivery fee or issue a credit to your account.
Uber does not cover the value of the item itself — only the delivery fee. If you are sending something valuable, consider purchasing shipping insurance through a third-party provider before you order the courier.
Differences between Courier and other Uber services
Uber Courier is different from Uber Eats, which is for food and restaurant deliveries only. Courier is also different from standard Uber rides — you are not riding in the car, and the driver is not waiting for you. Courier is a one-way delivery service, whereas Uber rides are for passenger transportation.
Uber Courier is also different from Uber Freight, which is a separate service for businesses shipping large quantities of goods over long distances. Courier is for same-day, small-package deliveries within a city, while Freight is for commercial logistics.
If you need a package delivered but Courier is not available in your area, you can use third-party services like DoorDash Dash, Postmates, or traditional courier companies. Each has different pricing, coverage areas, and item restrictions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Uber Courier available in my city?
Open the Uber app and look for "Courier" in the menu. If you see it, the service is available where you are. If you do not see it, Courier has not launched in your area yet. Availability changes over time, so check back periodically.
Can I schedule a Courier delivery for a future date?
Yes. When you open Courier in the app, you can choose "Schedule a delivery" and pick a date and time. The driver will be matched closer to your scheduled time. Scheduled deliveries may have different pricing than same-day orders.
What if the driver cannot find the pickup location?
The driver will call or text you for directions. Make sure your pickup address is as specific as possible — include a building name, suite number, or landmark if the address is hard to find. You can also add notes in the app before the driver arrives.
Do I have to be home when the driver picks up or drops off?
For pickup, someone at that address needs to be available to hand the item to the driver. For dropoff, the recipient does not have to be home — the driver can leave the package in a safe place, or you can add instructions in the app about where to leave it.
What happens if I cancel after a driver has accepted?
If you cancel after a driver accepts your delivery, you may be charged a cancellation fee. The fee amount depends on how far the driver has traveled. Cancel as soon as possible if you need to change your order to minimize the charge.