How to Redirect a USPS Package to a Different Address

You can redirect a USPS package to a new address, but only within strict time and distance limits

The USPS allows you to change where a package goes, but only if you catch it before it reaches the delivery facility in your destination city. Once a package arrives at the local post office, redirection becomes much harder. The service is called USPS Informed Delivery for tracking, and the actual redirect tool is part of the USPS website or the Postal Service app. You need the tracking number, and the package must still be in transit — not yet out for delivery.

Redirection works best when you notice the package within one or two days of shipping. The farther the package has traveled, the fewer options you have. If the package has already been delivered or is sitting at your local post office, you will need to pick it up in person or contact the sender to arrange a return instead.

Key Takeaways

USPS can redirect a package only while it is in transit to the original address, not after it arrives at your local post office.
You need the tracking number and access to the sender's USPS account or authorization from the sender to request a redirect.
The redirect must be to an address within the same general delivery area — you cannot send a package across the country to a completely different location.
If the package has already been delivered or is out for delivery, you will need to pick it up at the post office or ask the sender to file a claim.
Redirecting a package takes two to five business days, so plan ahead if you are moving or will not be home.

Check the package status before requesting a redirect

Go to the USPS website and enter your tracking number in the tracking tool. Look at the scan history to see where the package is right now. If the most recent scan says "Out for Delivery" or "Delivered," redirection is no longer possible — the package is already with your local post office or has been left at your address. If the scan says "In Transit" or shows a regional sorting facility, you still have time to redirect.

The USPS Informed Delivery service also sends email notifications when a package is scanned. If you see a notification that the package has arrived at your local delivery facility, you have a narrow window — usually a few hours — to pick it up before it goes out for delivery. After that, redirection through the website will not work.

Request a redirect through the USPS website or app

Go to usps.com and sign into your USPS account. If you do not have one, you will need to create it with your email address and a password. Click on "Informed Delivery" and then look for the option to manage or redirect a package. You should see a list of packages headed to your address. Find the one you want to redirect and select it.

Enter the new address where you want the package sent. The address must be a valid USPS delivery location — you cannot redirect to a PO box if the original address was a street address, and vice versa. The new address should be reasonably close to the original one; USPS will reject redirects that require the package to travel backward or to a completely different region. Once you submit the redirect request, USPS will send you a confirmation email with a new expected delivery date.

If you are using the USPS mobile app, the process is similar. Open the app, go to Informed Delivery, find the package, and tap the option to change the delivery address. The app will walk you through the same steps as the website.

What to do if you cannot redirect through your account

If the package belongs to someone else or you do not have access to the sender's USPS account, you will need written permission from the sender. The sender can log into their own USPS account and request the redirect themselves — they do not need your permission, only the tracking number. Ask them to do this as soon as possible, because the window closes once the package reaches your local post office.

If the sender is unavailable or the package is already at your post office, you can visit in person with your ID and the tracking number. Tell the postal worker that you need to redirect the package. They can sometimes hold it and reroute it, but this depends on whether it has already been sorted for delivery. If it has, they will tell you to pick it up or have it returned to the sender.

Redirect timing and what to expect

A redirect request usually takes two to five business days to process. During this time, the package stays in the USPS system and is rerouted at the next sorting facility. You will receive email updates as the package moves, and the tracking page will show the new destination address once the redirect is active.

The new delivery date depends on how far the package has already traveled and how far it needs to go to reach the new address. If you are redirecting it across town, it may arrive within a few days. If you are redirecting it to a different state, it could take a week or more. USPS will give you an estimated delivery date when you submit the redirect request.

Common reasons a redirect request gets rejected

USPS will reject a redirect if the package has already been delivered or is out for delivery. You cannot redirect a package that is physically in a delivery truck. The system will tell you this when you try to submit the request — it will say the package is no longer may be able to access for redirection.

Redirects are also rejected if the new address is too far from the original one or if the address format is invalid. Make sure you enter the new address exactly as USPS recognizes it, including the correct ZIP code. If you are unsure of the format, use the USPS address lookup tool on their website to verify it before submitting the redirect.

If the sender has already marked the package as delivered in their system, USPS may not allow a redirect. This sometimes happens with certain shipping methods or if the sender used a third-party label printer. In this case, contact the sender and ask them to file a claim or arrange a return.

Alternatives if redirection is not possible

If the package has already been delivered to your original address, you can pick it up at the post office if it has not been left outside. Bring your ID and the tracking number. The postal worker can retrieve it from the back if it is being held.

If the package was left at your address and you cannot retrieve it, contact the sender when ready. They can file a claim with USPS for a lost or undelivered package, which may result in a refund or replacement. The sender has up to 60 days from the shipping date to file a claim, so do not wait.

For future shipments, you can set up a standing redirect with USPS if you are moving. This is different from redirecting a single package — it tells USPS to forward all mail to your new address for a set period. You can set this up at usps.com or at your local post office for a small fee, and it typically lasts for six months or one year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I redirect a package after it has been delivered?

No. Once a package is marked as delivered, USPS cannot redirect it. You will need to pick it up from your original address or contact the sender to arrange a return or replacement. If the package was stolen or lost after delivery, the sender can file a claim with USPS.

Do I need the sender's permission to redirect a package?

Only if you do not have access to the sender's USPS account. If the package is addressed to you and you have a USPS account, you can redirect it yourself. If you do not have an account or the package is addressed to someone else, the sender must request the redirect from their own account.

How far can I redirect a package?

USPS limits redirects to addresses within the same general delivery region. You cannot redirect a package across the country or to a completely different state. The system will tell you if your new address is too far away when you submit the request. For long-distance changes, contact the sender and ask them to cancel and reship instead.

What if the new address is not recognized by USPS?

Use the USPS address lookup tool on their website to find the correct format for your new address, including the ZIP code and any apartment or suite numbers. Enter it exactly as USPS shows it. If the address still does not work, it may not be a valid USPS delivery location — call your local post office to confirm.

Can I redirect a package to someone else's address?

Yes, as long as the new address is a valid USPS delivery location and is within the allowed distance. The package will be delivered to that address, but the recipient should be expecting it. If the new recipient is not home, the package may be returned to the sender or held at the post office.

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.