How to Change Your Shipping Address With USPS

You can change a shipping address with USPS, but only before the mail carrier picks it up

USPS does not offer a way to change an address after a package has entered the mail system. Once your package is scanned into a facility or loaded onto a delivery truck, the address is locked in. Your only option at that point is to refuse the package when it arrives and ask the sender to mail it again to the correct address — or to contact the sender and ask them to file a claim and reship.

If you catch the mistake before pickup, you have a narrow window to act. You need to contact USPS directly, provide the tracking number, and request that the package be held or redirected. This works only if the package has not yet left the local facility. The sooner you call, the better your chances.

Key Takeaways

USPS can only change an address if the package has not yet been picked up from the sender or left your local delivery facility.
You must contact USPS directly by phone using the tracking number — there is no online form to request an address change for a specific package.
If the package has already been scanned into the mail system, your only option is to refuse it and ask the sender to reship to the correct address.
The sender can also contact USPS on your behalf to request a redirect, and some senders will do this without charging you.
USPS Informed Delivery can alert you to incoming mail before delivery, giving you a chance to contact USPS before the carrier arrives.

How to contact USPS to change an address before pickup

Call USPS Customer Service at 1-800-275-8777. Have your tracking number ready. Tell the representative that you need to change the delivery address and explain that the package has not yet been picked up or has just entered the system.

The representative will check the package status in real time. If the package is still at the sender's location or has only reached a regional sorting facility, USPS may be able to intercept it and redirect it to the correct address. If it has already been loaded onto a delivery vehicle, the request will be denied.

Be prepared for the possibility that USPS will tell you the redirect is not possible. Even if the package is technically still in the system, some facilities cannot process redirects quickly enough. In that case, your fallback is to refuse the package and contact the sender.

What happens if the package is already in delivery

Once a package is out for delivery, USPS cannot change the address. You will need to refuse the package when the mail carrier arrives. Write "Return to Sender — Address Correction Requested" on the package, or straightforward tell the carrier you refuse it. The package will go back to the sender.

Contact the sender after you refuse the package and explain the situation. Ask them to reship to the correct address. Many senders will do this at no cost, especially if the error was theirs. If the sender refuses or charges you, you may have a dispute to resolve with them directly.

Do not open the package if you refuse it. An opened package cannot be returned to the sender through USPS.

Using USPS Informed Delivery to catch mistakes early

USPS Informed Delivery is a free service that sends you an email or text alert showing images of mail and packages headed to your address, usually one day before delivery. You can sign up at informeddelivery.usps.com.

This service gives you a chance to spot an address error before the package arrives. If you see a package addressed to the wrong address in your Informed Delivery alert, you can call USPS when ready and request a redirect while the package is still in the facility. This is your best window to make a change.

Informed Delivery also shows you when packages from specific senders are on the way, so you can track multiple orders at once without logging into different websites.

Asking the sender to request a redirect on your behalf

If you ordered the package from a retailer or marketplace, contact their customer service and explain that the address is wrong. Many large senders — Amazon, eBay, major retailers — have relationships with USPS and can request a redirect directly from their end. This sometimes works even when you calling USPS yourself does not, because the sender's account has more authority to modify packages in transit.

The sender may ask you to refuse the package instead and reship it, or they may file the redirect request when ready. Either way, it costs you nothing to ask. Include your tracking number in your message to the sender so they can act quickly.

Why USPS cannot change addresses after pickup

Once a package enters USPS sorting facilities, it is sorted by address and loaded onto delivery routes. Changing the address at that point would require pulling the package out of the sorted mail, re-sorting it, and loading it onto a different route — a process that disrupts the entire system. For packages already on a delivery truck, the change is impossible without the carrier physically returning to the facility.

This is why USPS can only redirect packages that have not yet left the local facility. The earlier you catch the mistake, the more likely a redirect will work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the address online through my USPS account?

No. USPS does not offer an online tool to change the address of a specific package in transit. You must call Customer Service at 1-800-275-8777 with your tracking number. The only online address change USPS offers is the mail forwarding service, which redirects all mail from an old address to a new one — not individual packages.

What if I refuse the package but the sender will not reship it?

If the sender refuses to reship or charges you a fee, you have a dispute with the sender, not with USPS. Contact the sender's customer service again and explain that the address error was not your fault. If you paid by credit card or through a payment service like PayPal, you can file a dispute with your payment provider. If the sender still refuses, you may have no recourse beyond that.

How long does a USPS address redirect take?

If USPS approves a redirect before the package leaves the local facility, it usually happens within one to two business days. If the package has already been loaded for delivery, the redirect will be denied. There is no waiting period — it is either possible when ready or not possible at all.

Can I change the address if the package is at a USPS facility right now?

Maybe. Call USPS when ready with your tracking number. A representative will check the current location and status. If the package is still at a regional facility and has not been loaded onto a delivery truck, a redirect may be possible. If it has already been sorted for local delivery, it cannot be changed.

Does USPS charge a fee to change a shipping address?

No. USPS does not charge a fee to redirect a package before it enters delivery. However, if the package has already been delivered to the wrong address and you want USPS to retrieve it, that is not a standard service and would require special handling that USPS may not provide.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.