Amazon Key In-Garage Service Prioritizes Security and Safe Deliveries

Last month, Amazon launched its new Key In-Garage Delivery method in Canada. Expanding from its service within the US, Prime members in Canada can now have their Amazon packages delivered conveniently and securely inside their garages.

Amazon Key leverages Chamberlain Group’s myQ Smart Garage technology to enable vetted and verified delivery drivers to access a customer’s garage. Amazon Key In-Garage Delivery is now available in over 1,700 cities in Canada. The service is available on all compatible myQ-supported garage door openers, which most modern homes are outfitted with.

iPhone in Canada was able to speak with Ryan Flynn, Senior Business Development Manager from Amazon Key and Kiel Fitzgerald, Senior Director and General Manager of myQ Residential Partnerships from Chamberlain Group to discuss topics like convenience and security.

“We want to make sure that we’re mitigating the risk of missed deliveries, theft that happens perhaps on front porches and whatnot, Flynn says. “It’s really to make sure that the customers can kind of dictate terms. So it’s all about the control that they have and the optionality that customers have to get their packages into the garage safely and securely.

Key In-Garage Delivery is designed to better assist Prime members in securing their deliveries. Having an Amazon delivery driver drop a package within the garage, customers have peace of mind that their packages are protected from weather damage or theft. The service also allows packages to be delivered regardless of whether the customer is home or away.

However, Amazon Key In-Garage Delivery rightfully raises some eyebrows as far as security is concerned. It takes a lot of trust from the homeowner to delegate access to their garage to a stranger. Amazon does note that all In-Garage delivery personnel are vetted prior to being hired.

“Safety and security are the top priority of our customers and therefore is our top priority,” Flynn says. “So, there are a couple of different measures that we take to secure that piece of mind for our customers. The first is for all delivery drivers, they undergo background checks. So, they’re highly vetted just to get the job. Beyond that, there’s multi-factor authentication during the actual delivery of the package. That all starts with the scanning of the package. So the location is verified. The driver is reverified and the package itself is verified. “To do their job, the drivers need to tap the button in their delivery app to close the garage door and move on on their route. Thereafter, they can’t get back again. So, it’s a one-time access. They would need to have another allocated In-Garage delivery to make to get back in.

Using this one-time access method, drivers will open the garage of a Prime member, place the package securely within 1.5 meters of the door, and exit promptly. Drivers are also instructed to ensure the garage door closes properly before returning to the truck for the next delivery. With these instructions, Amazon aims to streamline and ensure every delivery is secure and by the book.

There’s also the question of security on the driver’s part. Amazon hopes to ensure that homeowners leave their pets inside of their homes to reduce the risk of drivers unexpectedly coming across an excited or aggressive pet.

“You know, we’ve had a number of those that pop up in the Amazon experience where there’s a pet in either on the side yard or a pet that they see visibly in the garage, Fitzgerald explains. “The driver is advised to deliver the package back at the front door. That is a relatively common occurrence where we want to make sure that everything is safe and secure for the family of their pets and the things inside the garage as well.”

Amazon Key In-Garage Delivery is currently free to use until March 31, 2025. Afterwards, the delivery method will cost $1.99 CAD per order. Customers can also choose “Key Delivery – Pick Your Day” at checkout.