Can I drop off trade-in device even though I was supposed to mail it?

I picked up my new phone from the store. They asked whether I would give the trade-in device at that moment. However, I needed some more time, so I said I needed the trade-in kit so that I can mail it. I read online that a lot of people who mailed their devices complained that their phones got stolen. Can I drop the device in the Apple store instead of mailing it now?