Change your UPS address online, by phone, or at a UPS location

UPS lets you change the delivery address for a package that has not yet left the facility closest to you. The fastest way is through your UPS account online — you can update it in minutes if you have your tracking number. If you do not have an account or prefer to speak to someone, you can call UPS Customer Service at 1-800-742-5877 or walk into any UPS Store location and ask for help.

The address change window is narrow: once a package enters the delivery vehicle, the driver cannot reroute it. Most packages reach the local facility the morning of delivery, so you have until roughly 8 a.m. that day to request a change. Weekend and holiday deliveries have different timelines, and packages headed to rural areas may leave the facility earlier.

If you miss the window, you can refuse the package when the driver arrives, and UPS will return it to the sender. You can also ask the driver to leave it at a UPS location for you to pick up instead of delivering it to the original address.

Key Takeaways

  • You must have your tracking number to change an address, whether you do it online, by phone, or in person.
  • Address changes work only before the package reaches the delivery vehicle, usually by 8 a.m. on delivery day.
  • UPS will hold a package at a UPS Store for you to pick up if you cannot change the address in time.
  • If you have a UPS account, you can set up delivery instructions in advance to redirect future packages automatically.

Change your address through your UPS account online

Log into your UPS account at ups.com. Click on "Tracking" and enter your tracking number. Once the package details appear, look for an option that says "Manage Delivery" or "Change Delivery." Click it and select "Change Address" from the menu.

Enter the new address exactly as it should appear on the label. UPS will verify the address format and tell you whether the change is possible. If the package has already left the local facility, the system will say the address cannot be changed and offer alternatives like holding it for pickup instead.

If the address change goes through, you will see a confirmation on screen and receive an email with the updated tracking information. The new address will appear in your tracking history.

Change your address by phone

Call UPS Customer Service at 1-800-742-5877. Have your tracking number ready. Tell the representative you want to change the delivery address, and they will ask for the new address and verify it against UPS's address database.

The representative will tell you when ready whether the change is possible. If it is, they will update the package and send you a confirmation number. Write down this number in case you need to reference the change later. If the change cannot be made, the representative will explain why and offer alternatives.

Wait times vary by time of day and season. Calling early in the morning or on weekdays usually means shorter hold times than calling in the afternoon or near holidays.

Change your address in person at a UPS location

Walk into any UPS Store with your tracking number and photo ID. Tell the staff member you want to change the delivery address for an incoming package. They will look up the package and attempt the change in their system.

If the change is possible, they will print a new label and update the tracking. If the package has already left the facility, they will offer to hold it at that location for you to pick up instead. This is often faster than waiting for a redelivery attempt.

UPS Stores are usually open six days a week, with hours posted on the door or on ups.com. Some locations close on Sundays, so check before you go.

Set up delivery instructions before a package arrives

If you have a UPS account, you can create standing delivery instructions that explore to all incoming packages. Log into your account, go to "Preferences," and select "Delivery Instructions." You can tell UPS to hold packages at a specific UPS location, leave them in a safe place, or require a signature.

These instructions stay in place until you change them, so they work for multiple packages without you having to act each time. This is useful if you are away from home during the week or if your address is hard to find.

You can also set up a UPS My Choice account, which sends you a notification as soon as a package is on its way to you. From that notification, you can change the address, request a specific delivery time, or ask for it to be held at a location — all before the package reaches your local facility.

What to do if you cannot change the address in time

If the package has already left the facility and you cannot change the address, refuse the delivery when the driver arrives. The driver will mark the package as refused, and UPS will return it to the sender at no cost to you. The sender can then ship it to your new address.

Alternatively, ask the driver to leave the package at the nearest UPS Store instead of at your original address. The driver can do this on the spot, and you can pick it up the same day or the next day during business hours. This works even if the address change window has closed.

If you are not home when the driver arrives, they will leave a notice. You can call the number on the notice to arrange a redelivery to your new address, or you can go to the UPS location listed and pick it up yourself.

Update your address for future UPS shipments

If you have moved permanently, update your address in your UPS account so that future packages ship to the correct location. Log in, go to "Preferences," and update your contact information. This does not change addresses for packages already in the system — you have to handle those individually.

You should also update your address with the sender (the person or business shipping to you). They may have your old address on file, and changing it at the source prevents mistakes on future orders. Most online retailers let you update your address in your account settings.

If you receive packages from many different senders, consider setting up mail forwarding with the U.S. Postal Service. USPS will forward mail to your new address for up to one year, which covers packages that arrive at your old address by mistake.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Once the package is on the delivery truck, the driver cannot reroute it. You can refuse it when the driver arrives, or ask the driver to leave it at a UPS location for you to pick up instead. Both options happen on the spot without extra cost.

What if the new address is outside the UPS service area?

UPS will tell you the address cannot be changed if it is outside their delivery network. In that case, refuse the package and have it returned to the sender, who can then ship it through a different carrier that serves that area.

Do I have to pay to change an address?

No. Changing a delivery address is free whether you do it online, by phone, or in person. There is no fee for holding a package at a UPS location either.

How long does UPS hold a package if I ask them to keep it at a location?

UPS typically holds packages at a location for five business days. After that, they return the package to the sender. If you need more time, call the location and ask them to extend the hold.

Can I change the address for a package someone else is sending to me?

Yes, as long as you have the tracking number. You do not need permission from the sender. If you do not have the tracking number, ask the sender for it, or wait for the notification email from UPS, which will include it.