When You Can Change Your Amazon Delivery Address
You can change your delivery address on Amazon, but the window to do it depends on whether your order has already shipped. If your order is still in pre-shipment status — meaning Amazon has received it but a carrier has not picked it up yet — you can change the address through your account. Once a carrier like UPS, FedEx, or Amazon's own delivery service has taken possession of the package, you cannot change the address through Amazon's website or app. At that point, you will need to contact the carrier directly or wait for the package to arrive and refuse it.
The easiest time to change your address is before you complete your purchase. You can select or add a new address during checkout, right before you click the final "Place your order" button. This takes seconds and avoids any complications later.
Key Takeaways
- You can change your address in your Amazon account settings or during checkout before you place an order.
- After you order, you have a narrow window to change the address — only while the order is in pre-shipment status, before any carrier picks it up.
- Once a carrier has the package, you must contact that carrier directly; Amazon cannot redirect it for you.
- If you miss the window, you can refuse delivery when the package arrives and request a refund or reshipment to the correct address.
How to Change Your Address Before You Order
The simplest way to change your delivery address is to do it before checkout. Log into your Amazon account and go to your cart. Click "Proceed to checkout." On the shipping address page, you will see your current default address. Click "Change" or "Add a new address" to enter a different one.
Type in the new street address, city, state, and ZIP code. Make sure the address is complete and correct — Amazon will not deliver to a PO box for most items, and the address must match what the carrier's system recognizes. Once you have entered the address, select it as your shipping address and continue to payment. This change applies only to that single order.
How to Change Your Address After You Order
If you have already placed your order but have not yet received a shipping notification, you may still be able to change the address. Go to "Returns" in your Amazon account menu, then select "Your Orders." Find the order you want to change and click on it. Look for an option that says "Change delivery address" or "Edit delivery address." This button only appears if the order is still in pre-shipment status.
Click the button and enter your new address. Amazon will show you whether the new address can be delivered by your expected delivery date. If it can, confirm the change. If the new address is too far away or in a region the carrier cannot reach in time, Amazon will tell you that the address cannot be changed and you will need to use one of the other options below.
What to Do If the Carrier Already Has Your Package
Once your order shows a tracking number and the carrier has picked it up, the "Change delivery address" button disappears from your Amazon account. At this point, you need to contact the carrier directly. Open your order details and click on the tracking number. This takes you to the carrier's tracking page — UPS, FedEx, or Amazon Logistics, depending on who is delivering your package.
On the carrier's website, look for an option to redirect or change the delivery address. UPS and FedEx both offer address changes for packages in transit, though they may charge a small fee or require the package to be held at a facility for pickup instead. Amazon Logistics packages are harder to redirect — your best option is usually to refuse delivery and contact Amazon to arrange reshipment.
How to Update Your Default Address in Your Account
If you want to change the address that appears by default every time you order, go to "Account" in the top right corner of Amazon's website and select "Your Account." Click "Addresses" or "Manage addresses." You will see a list of all addresses saved to your account. Click "Edit" next to the address you want to change, update the information, and click "Save changes."
You can also add a new address here without placing an order. This is useful if you are moving or if you want to have multiple addresses on file — for example, your home address and your work address. The address you mark as your default will appear first during checkout, but you can always choose a different one before you complete your purchase.
What Happens If You Miss the Window to Change Your Address
If your package has already shipped and you cannot change the address through the carrier, you have two options: refuse the delivery or accept it and return it. When the delivery driver arrives, you can refuse to accept the package. Write "Return to Sender" on the box if it is left at your door. The package will go back to Amazon, and you can contact Amazon to request a refund or ask them to reship it to the correct address.
Refusing delivery works best if you catch the package before the driver leaves. If the package has already been left at your address, you can still refuse it — contact the carrier to arrange a pickup, or take it to a carrier facility yourself. Then contact Amazon with proof that you refused it, and they will process a refund or send a replacement to your new address. This process takes longer than changing the address before shipment, so prevention is always faster.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The most common mistake is waiting too long to change your address. Orders move into shipment status within hours of being placed, especially for items in Amazon's warehouse. If you realize you need a different address, make the change as soon as possible — do not wait until the next day.
Another mistake is entering an incomplete or incorrect address. Amazon will not catch every typo, and a package sent to a wrong address is difficult to recover. Double-check that your street number, street name, city, state, and ZIP code are all correct before you confirm the change. If you are moving to a new address you are not yet familiar with, look it up on Google Maps first to make sure it exists and is in the right location.
Do not assume that contacting Amazon customer service will let you change an address after the carrier has picked up the package. Amazon's customer service team cannot redirect packages in transit — only the carrier can do that. If you contact Amazon after shipment, they will direct you to the carrier or offer you a refund and reshipment, which takes longer than catching it before shipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my address if my order is already out for delivery today?
No. Once a package is out for delivery, the carrier's driver has the final route and cannot change it. Your only option is to refuse the delivery when the driver arrives. Contact the carrier's customer service line to let them know you will refuse it, so the driver is prepared.
What if I entered the wrong ZIP code but the rest of the address is correct?
Contact Amazon customer service right away if you notice this before the package ships. A wrong ZIP code can cause the package to be sent to the wrong location or delayed. If the package has already shipped, contact the carrier with the correct ZIP code and ask them to update the delivery address.
Can I change my address to a PO box?
Most Amazon items cannot be delivered to PO boxes. If you try to enter a PO box address during checkout, Amazon will usually reject it or warn you that the item cannot be shipped there. Some items sold by third-party sellers may allow PO box delivery — Amazon will tell you during checkout if your item qualifies.
Do I have to pay a fee to change my delivery address?
No. Changing your address through Amazon before or after you order does not cost anything. If you change the address through the carrier after shipment, the carrier may charge a fee for address correction or redirect services, but Amazon itself does not charge you.
What if the carrier says they cannot deliver to my new address?
Some addresses — rural areas, new developments, or locations outside a carrier's normal service zone — cannot be reached by certain carriers. If this happens, ask the carrier whether they can hold the package at a nearby facility for you to pick up, or refuse the delivery and ask Amazon to reship to an address the carrier can reach.