You can change your delivery address on eBay, but only before the seller ships your order
Once you have placed an order on eBay, you can update the delivery address through your account — but the window to do this is narrow. The seller must not have already shipped the item. If they have, the package is on its way and cannot be redirected through eBay's system. You will need to contact the seller directly or wait for the package to arrive and refuse it, then request a refund.
The process takes about two minutes if you catch it early. eBay does not charge a fee to change the address, and the seller will see the update on their end. However, some sellers ship within hours of receiving an order, so speed matters.
Key Takeaways
- You can change your address only before the seller marks the order as shipped — once tracking appears, the change window has closed.
- Go to your eBay account, find the order in "Purchases," and select "Change address" if the button appears.
- The new address must be a valid address in the same country as the original order.
- If the seller has already shipped, contact them through eBay Messages to ask if they can intercept the package or arrange a return.
- If you cannot change the address and refuse the delivery, you can request a refund, but the seller may deduct return shipping costs.
Finding the change address option in your account
Log into your eBay account and go to "Purchases" in the top menu. Find the order you want to change and click on it to open the order details. Look for a button or link that says "Change address" or "Modify address." This button only appears if the seller has not yet shipped the item.
If you do not see the button, the seller has already processed the shipment. In that case, move to the section on contacting the seller. Do not assume the button is hidden — if it is not there, the change window has closed.
Entering your new address correctly
When you click the change address button, eBay will open a form with your current address filled in. Clear the fields and type your new address exactly as it should appear on the shipping label. Include the street number, street name, apartment or suite number if applicable, city, state or province, and postal code.
eBay will validate the address against the postal service database for your country. If the address does not match a known address, the system will reject it or ask you to confirm it. Use the format that your local postal service recognizes — for example, in the United States, use the two-letter state abbreviation and a five-digit or nine-digit ZIP code. If you are unsure whether your address is formatted correctly, check your local postal service website or enter it into a shipping calculator first.
After you submit the new address, eBay sends a notification to the seller showing the change. The seller will use this new address for shipping. Do not place a new order or contact the seller separately unless the change does not go through — doing so can create confusion and duplicate orders.
What to do if the change address button is not available
If the change address button does not appear, the seller has already shipped the order or is in the process of shipping it. At this point, you have two options: contact the seller to ask if they can intercept the package, or let the package arrive and refuse delivery.
To contact the seller, go back to your order details and click "Contact seller." Explain that you need the package sent to a different address and ask whether they can update the shipping label or contact the carrier to redirect it. Some sellers can do this; others cannot, depending on how far along the shipping process is. Be polite and specific — include both the original address and the new address so there is no confusion.
If the seller cannot help, you can refuse the package when it arrives. The carrier will return it to the seller, and you can then request a refund through eBay's Resolution Center. However, the seller may deduct return shipping costs from your refund, so this option costs you money and time.
Changing your address before checkout (if you have not paid yet)
If you have added an item to your cart but have not yet completed payment, you can change your address before you check out. Do not place the order with the wrong address and then try to change it afterward — it is faster and simpler to fix it now.
Go to your cart, review the shipping address shown at checkout, and click to edit it. Enter your correct address and proceed with payment. This avoids the entire problem of contacting the seller or dealing with a returned package.
Addresses that eBay will not accept
eBay will reject addresses that do not match the postal service database for your country, addresses in a different country than the original order, and addresses that are flagged as high-risk by eBay's fraud prevention system. You cannot change a US order to a Canadian address, for example — the seller would have to cancel and you would have to place a new order with a Canadian seller.
If eBay rejects your address, double-check the spelling and format. If the address is correct but still rejected, contact eBay customer service through your account to ask why. In rare cases, eBay blocks certain addresses due to past disputes or fraud reports, and customer service can review whether the block can be lifted.
What happens after you change the address
Once you submit the new address, eBay notifies the seller when ready. The seller will print a new shipping label with your updated address and send the package there instead. You will see the new address reflected in your order details within a few minutes.
The tracking number may stay the same, or the seller may generate a new one — either way, the package will go to your new address. When the seller ships, you will receive a notification with the tracking information. Use that tracking number to monitor the package's progress.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my address after the seller has already shipped?
No, not through eBay's system. Once the seller marks the order as shipped, the change address button disappears. You must contact the seller directly through eBay Messages and ask if they can intercept the package with the carrier. If they cannot, you can refuse delivery when the package arrives and request a refund, though the seller may deduct return shipping costs.
What if I enter the wrong address by mistake?
If you catch the mistake before the seller ships, use the change address button to correct it. If the seller has already shipped, contact them when ready through eBay Messages and explain the error. Provide both the incorrect address and the correct one. Some sellers can contact the carrier to redirect the package; others cannot. If redirection fails, refuse the delivery and request a refund.
Can I change my address to a PO box or mailbox service?
It depends on the seller and the item. Some sellers will not ship to PO boxes because certain carriers do not deliver there. If you try to enter a PO box address, eBay may reject it or warn you that the seller may not accept it. Contact the seller before changing your address to confirm they will ship there.
How long does it take for the seller to see my address change?
eBay notifies the seller when ready when you change your address. However, if the seller has already printed the shipping label, they may not see the notification in time. This is why it is important to change your address as soon as possible after placing the order — ideally within the first hour.
What if the seller refuses to ship to my new address?
If you change your address and the seller refuses to ship there, contact them through eBay Messages to ask why. Some sellers have restrictions based on location or item type. If the seller will not ship to your new address, you can request to cancel the order and receive a refund, though the seller may decline if they have already processed it. If the seller declines, you can open a case in eBay's Resolution Center.