With the exponential growth of e-commerce, the practice of using third-party addresses—such as workplaces, freight forwarders, "paki-receive" arrangements with neighbors, or commercial pick-up points—has become a logistical necessity. However, this convenience introduces a complex web of legal relationships involving the Law on Sales, Agency, and Criminal Law under Philippine jurisdiction.

1. The Moment of Legal Delivery (Traditio)

Under the Civil Code of the Philippines, the ownership of a movable object (the parcel) is transferred to the vendee upon delivery.

Actual vs. Constructive Delivery: When a courier drops a package at a third-party address, the law may consider this "constructive delivery."
Article 1477 & 1497: Ownership transfers when the thing sold is placed in the control and possession of the vendee. If you authorize a third party to receive the item, their "control" is legally viewed as your control.
Risk of Loss: Once the courier successfully delivers the package to the designated third-party address, the risk of loss shifts from the seller to the buyer (under the principle of Res Perit Domino—the owner bears the loss). If the parcel is stolen from your neighbor’s porch or lost in your office mailroom, the seller is generally no longer liable for a refund.

2. The Relationship of Agency

Using a third-party address often creates an implied Contract of Agency (Article 1868, Civil Code).

Authorized Representative: By providing a third-party address, you are effectively appointing the recipient as your agent for the limited purpose of receiving the goods.
Binding Acts: The signature of a security guard, a receptionist, or a housemate binds you. If they sign a "Proof of Delivery" (POD) stating the item was received in good condition, you may find it legally difficult to later claim the item was damaged or incomplete, as your "agent" has already accepted it on your behalf.

3. Liability of the Third-Party Recipient

The legal status of the person at the address depends on the nature of the arrangement:

A. Gratuitous Arrangements (Neighbors/Friends)

If a neighbor receives your package as a favor, they are considered a gratuitous depositary. Under Article 1972, they are obliged to keep the thing safely and return it to you. While they aren't held to the same "extraordinary diligence" as a bank, they can still be held liable for damages if they are guilty of gross negligence or fraud (e.g., leaving the parcel on a rainy sidewalk).

B. Commercial Third-Parties (Freight Forwarders/Pick-up Points)

These entities are Common Carriers or Bailees for Hire. They are required to exercise extraordinary diligence. If they lose your package, they are presumed negligent unless they can prove they observed the highest degree of care.

4. Potential Criminal Implications

Using a third-party address is not illegal, but it can intersect with the Revised Penal Code and the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 in specific scenarios:

Estafa/Fraud: Using a third-party address to hide one's identity for the purpose of receiving illicit goods or evading payment constitutes fraud.
Theft and Unjust Vexation: If a third party receives a parcel and refuses to turn it over to the rightful owner, they may be charged with Theft or Criminal Misappropriation.
Anti-Fencing Law (PD 1612): If you use a third-party address to consolidate and sell items that were obtained through robbery or theft, the owner of that address could inadvertently be implicated as a "fence" if they had knowledge of the items' origin.

5. Data Privacy Considerations

The Data Privacy Act of 2012 (RA 10173) applies whenever you share someone else's address or contact details with an e-commerce platform.

Consent: Technically, providing a friend’s home address and phone number to a courier without their explicit consent is a violation of their privacy rights.
Liability for Exposure: If the third party begins receiving spam or faces security risks because their address was printed on a waybill, the primary user may be held liable for unauthorized processing of personal data.

6. Employment and Workplace Policies

Many employees use their office address for deliveries. In the Philippines, this is subject to Management Prerogative.

Search and Seizure: While the Constitution protects against unreasonable searches, this protection is generally against the State. In a workplace, an employer may have a policy allowing them to inspect incoming parcels for security reasons.
Disciplinary Action: If personal deliveries interfere with business operations, using the workplace address can be grounds for administrative sanctions under the Labor Code.

Summary Table of Risks

Stakeholder	Primary Legal Risk
Buyer	Loss of right to claim refund once delivered to the third party.
Seller	Potential dispute if the "authorized" person denies receipt.
Third Party	Liability for "Loss or Damage" while the item is in their possession.
Courier	Discharging liability upon delivery to any person at the specified address.