A method for loading and/or unloading an automated shipment machine with shipments by means of a user with a vehicle or for preparing same, wherein the user is a delivery agent and the vehicle is a delivery vehicle, characterized in that the method comprises: - authenticating the user at the vehicle, wherein authentication information of the user at the vehicle is obtained for authenticating the user at the vehicle; - taking the vehicle within communication range for communication with the automated shipment machine; - authenticating the vehicle at the automated shipment machine, wherein authentication information is provided from the vehicle to the automated shipment machine for authenticating the vehicle at the automated shipment machine, wherein the authentication information of the vehicle received at the automated shipment machine is at least partially based on the authentication information of the user received at the vehicle; - detecting, at the automated shipment machine, a presence of the user at the automated shipment machine for performing a loading and/or unloading activity, wherein the detection of the presence of the user is performed by a specific interaction of the user with a user interface of the automated shipment machine, either wherein the user interface is a concealed switch or touch screen, or wherein the user interface is an input device which is also used by the customer, and the specific interaction is a non-obvious action with the input device; - activating a delivery agent mode of operation of the automated shipment machine, wherein the delivery agent mode of operation comprises further services or functions that are not intended for the customer; - authenticating the user at the automated shipment machine in the delivery agent mode of operation; and - loading shipments into the automated shipment machine and/or loading shipments from the automated shipment machine. - authenticating the user at the vehicle, wherein authentication information of the user at the vehicle is obtained for authenticating the user at the vehicle; - taking the vehicle within communication range for communication with the automated shipment machine; - authenticating the vehicle at the automated shipment machine, wherein authentication information is provided from the vehicle to the automated shipment machine for authenticating the vehicle at the automated shipment machine, wherein the authentication information of the vehicle received at the automated shipment machine is at least partially based on the authentication information of the user received at the vehicle; - detecting, at the automated shipment machine, a presence of the user at the automated shipment machine for performing a loading and/or unloading activity, wherein the detection of the presence of the user is performed by a specific interaction of the user with a user interface of the automated shipment machine, either wherein the user interface is a concealed switch or touch screen, or wherein the user interface is an input device which is also used by the customer, and the specific interaction is a non-obvious action with the input device; - activating a delivery agent mode of operation of the automated shipment machine, wherein the delivery agent mode of operation comprises further services or functions that are not intended for the customer; - authenticating the user at the automated shipment machine in the delivery agent mode of operation; and - loading shipments into the automated shipment machine and/or loading shipments from the automated shipment machine.