Businesses that want to make sure you get the package they send have a new option.

The Postal Service is testing a new delivery option in which large or valuable items would be held at local post offices for pickup rather than left at people's homes.

The Postal Service said the delivery option provides additional security for mailers who may not want expensive products left at a customer's door.

Officials said the test of the new service involves Dell computers, but that the service will be made available to other shippers if it works.

Under the plan, a business would ask for the product it's shipping to be marked "hold for pickup."

Once the item is at a local post office, the recipient would be advised where it is and when it can be collected.

If the parcel isn't retrieved within three days of arrival, the Postal Service will send an additional notice to the customer.

After 10 days, it'll be returned to the shipper.

"Hold for pickup is another way we are transforming our products and services to better meet the needs of our customers," said Nick Barranca, vice president of product development. "The advantages are cost savings to the shipper, customer convenience, and security for both the business client and the consumer."

Barranca said the Postal Service was responding to several requests from shippers wanting the hold-for-pickup option for their customers.

"We expect that hold for pickup will be expanded in the future to include all parcel products to further meet customer needs around greater access and convenience," Barranca said.