Systems and methods are provided for distributing parcels to recipients based on location data associated with the recipients. One exemplary method includes generating and storing a shipping file for the recipient, where the shipping file includes an identifier for a portable communication device associated with the recipient and a defined geographic region for the recipient, and retrieving location data for a location of the portable communication device based on the identifier associated with the portable communication device. The method also includes determining whether the location of the portable communication device is within the defined geographic region. The method then further includes directing an entity associated with the parcel to ship the parcel to the recipient when the location is determined to be within the defined geographic region, and directing the entity to hold shipment of the parcel when the location is determined to be outside the defined geographic region.