How to Change Your UPS Delivery Address Before or After Pickup

You can change a UPS delivery address online, by phone, or at a UPS location — but timing matters

If you need to send a package to a different address than the one on your label, UPS lets you change it in most cases. The fastest way is through your UPS account online if you have one, or by calling 1-800-742-5877. You can also walk into any UPS Store or UPS Customer Center. The key is doing it as soon as you realize the address is wrong — the later you wait, the fewer options you have.

What you can and cannot change depends on whether the package has already been picked up. If it is still at your location, you have full control. Once a driver picks it up, UPS can still reroute it in most cases, but you may face a fee and a shorter window to make the change.

Key Takeaways

Change your address through your UPS account online, by phone at 1-800-742-5877, or in person at a UPS location before the package is picked up.
If the package has already been picked up, you can still request a change through UPS Customer Service, but you may be charged a reroute fee.
The sooner you request the change, the more likely UPS can make it — changes requested after the package is in transit are harder to process.
If you have a UPS My Choice account, you can manage address changes and delivery instructions online without calling.

Changing the address before pickup

Before a UPS driver picks up your package, you have the most control. Log into your UPS account on ups.com, find the shipment, and look for an option to edit or modify the address. You can change it to any valid address. If you do not have a UPS account, create one free at ups.com — you will need the tracking number or reference number from your shipping label.

If you prefer not to use the website, call 1-800-742-5877 and speak to a UPS representative. Have your tracking number ready. They can change the address over the phone at no charge if the package has not been picked up yet.

You can also go to a UPS Store or UPS Customer Center in person and ask them to update the address. Bring your tracking number or the package itself if you have not yet handed it over.

Changing the address after pickup

Once a UPS driver has picked up your package, changing the address becomes more complicated. UPS can still reroute it in many cases, but you must act quickly — the window closes once the package reaches a sorting facility or is out for delivery.

Call 1-800-742-5877 when ready and explain that you need to change the delivery address. Have your tracking number ready. UPS will tell you whether the package can still be rerouted. If it can, they may charge a reroute fee, which varies depending on how far the new address is from the original one and how far along the package is in transit.

If the package is already out for delivery on the day of delivery, you may not be able to change the address. In that case, you can ask the driver to hold the package when they arrive, or you can refuse delivery and arrange to pick it up at a UPS location instead.

Using UPS My Choice for address changes

UPS My Choice is a free account feature that gives you more control over your deliveries. If you have it set up, you can log in and change the delivery address, request a delay, or ask for the package to be held at a UPS location — all without calling. You can also set delivery instructions, like leaving the package in a specific spot.

To use UPS My Choice, go to ups.com and sign in with your account. Look for your incoming shipments and click on the one you want to modify. The options available depend on how far along the package is in the delivery process. If you do not have a UPS My Choice account yet, you can set one up free in a few minutes.

What information you need to provide

When you request an address change, have the following ready: your tracking number (a 1Z number that starts with 1Z), the original delivery address, and the new delivery address. If you are calling, the representative will ask for your name and phone number as well.

Make sure the new address is complete and correct — include the street address, apartment or suite number if there is one, city, state, and ZIP code. If the address is incomplete or invalid, UPS may not be able to deliver there and will contact you for clarification.

When UPS cannot change the address

In rare cases, UPS cannot change an address. This usually happens if the package is already out for delivery, if it has reached the destination city's sorting facility too late in the day, or if the new address is outside UPS's service area. If the new address is in a remote location or a country UPS does not serve, they will tell you that the change is not possible.

If UPS cannot change the address, you have a few options: refuse delivery and pick the package up at a UPS location, have it returned to the sender, or ask UPS to hold it at a facility while you arrange alternative delivery. Ask the representative which option works best for your situation.

Fees and timing for address changes

Changing an address before pickup is free. If you change it after pickup, UPS may charge a reroute fee. The fee depends on the distance between the original and new addresses and how far the package has traveled. There is no fixed price — you will be quoted a fee when you call or request the change online.

Timing also affects whether the change can happen at all. The sooner you request it after realizing the address is wrong, the better. If you catch it within a few hours of pickup, the change is almost always possible. If you wait until the next day or later, the package may already be in transit to the original address, and rerouting becomes difficult or impossible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the address if the package is already out for delivery?

It depends on the time of day. If you catch it early in the morning before the driver leaves the facility, you may be able to change it. If the driver is already on their route, you cannot change the address, but you can refuse delivery and pick it up at a UPS location instead. Call 1-800-742-5877 right away to find out.

Will I be charged to change the address?

No charge if the package has not been picked up yet. If it has been picked up, UPS may charge a reroute fee. The amount depends on the distance and how far the package has traveled. You will be told the fee before the change is processed.

What if I do not have the tracking number?

Call 1-800-742-5877 and provide your name, phone number, and the original delivery address. The representative can look up your shipment and help you change the address. If you have the shipping confirmation email, that usually includes the tracking number.

Can I change the address to a PO box or a UPS Store?

Yes, you can change the address to a UPS Store or UPS Customer Center. You can also change it to a PO box if the carrier serves that address, though some carriers have restrictions. When you enter the new address, UPS will tell you if it is valid for delivery.

What happens if I refuse delivery?

If you refuse delivery, the package stays at the UPS facility. You can then pick it up in person at a UPS location, or you can ask UPS to return it to the sender. The sender may be charged a return shipping fee depending on the original shipping terms.

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.