Where to find your address settings on eBay

Your address on eBay lives in your account settings, not in a separate checkout screen. Go to eBay.com, select the account icon in the top right corner, and click "Account settings." From there, select "Addresses" on the left side menu. You will see all addresses currently linked to your account — your primary address, any saved shipping addresses, and any billing addresses you have used before.

If you have only one address on file, that is the one eBay will use for both billing and shipping unless you add another. If you have multiple addresses, you can choose which one to use each time you check out, or you can set one as your default.

Key Takeaways

  • Your address settings are in Account Settings under "Addresses," not in checkout or seller information.
  • You can edit your primary address directly, or add a new address and set it as default instead of deleting the old one.
  • Changes to your address take effect when ready for future purchases, but do not change addresses on orders already placed.
  • If you are a seller, your shop address and return address are separate from your buyer address and must be updated in different places.
  • eBay will not let you use a P.O. box as a shipping address for most purchases, though some sellers accept them.

Editing your primary address versus adding a new one

You have two choices: edit the address you already have, or add a completely new address and make it your default. Editing is faster if you are moving and will not need the old address again. Click the address you want to change, select "Edit," update the street, city, state, or ZIP code, and save. The change takes effect right away.

Adding a new address is better if you want to keep your old one on file — for example, if you have a home address and a work address, or if you are moving but may still receive packages at your old place. Click "Add address," fill in the new details, and then click the three dots next to that address and select "Set as default." eBay will use the default address at checkout unless you choose a different one.

What happens to orders you have already placed

Changing your address does not affect orders that have already shipped or are in the process of shipping. eBay locks in the address you provided at checkout, and the seller will send your item there. If you change your address after placing an order but before the seller ships, contact the seller directly through the order messages to ask if they can update it. Many sellers can change the address if the item has not left their location yet.

If a package arrives at your old address after you have moved, you will need to contact the carrier (USPS, UPS, or FedEx, depending on the label) or ask the new resident to forward it. Changing your eBay address retroactively will not reroute a package that is already in transit.

Updating your seller address if you run an eBay shop

If you sell on eBay, your shop address is separate from your buyer address. Buyers see your shop address on your seller profile and in return labels. To change it, go to Account Settings, select "Business policies," and then "Shop information." Update your shop address there. This address is what appears on return shipping labels, so make sure it is correct before you list items.

Your return address is also separate. Some sellers use the same address for both; others use a different location for returns. You can set your return address in the same "Shop information" section. If you change your shop address, consider whether your return address needs to change as well.

Restrictions on address types and formats

eBay will not accept a P.O. box as a shipping address for most purchases, because major carriers require a physical street address for delivery. If you enter a P.O. box, the checkout will reject it. Some sellers may accept P.O. boxes if they ship through USPS, which does deliver to P.O. boxes, but you cannot force this through eBay's system — you would have to contact the seller and ask.

eBay also requires that your address match the format of the country you are shipping to. If you are in the United States, you need a valid street address, city, state, and ZIP code. If you are shipping internationally, the address must match the postal format of that country. Apartment numbers, suite numbers, and building names should go in the "Address line 2" field to avoid rejection.

How long changes take to show up

Address changes are when ready on your account. The moment you save, your new address becomes your default (if you set it that way) and will appear at checkout the next time you shop. However, if you are in the middle of checking out when you make the change, you may need to refresh the page or start a new checkout session to see the updated address.

If you are waiting for a refund and changed your address, the refund will go back to the original payment method (credit card, PayPal, or bank account), not to your new address. Refunds are not shipped; they are credited back to how you paid.

Removing an old address from your account

If you have multiple addresses and want to delete one, click the three dots next to that address and select "Remove." You can remove any address except your primary one — eBay requires you to have at least one address on file at all times. If you want to remove your primary address, first set a different address as default, and then you can delete the old one.

Removing an address does not affect past orders or refunds. It only prevents that address from appearing in your checkout dropdown in the future. If you think you might need it again, consider keeping it instead of deleting it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my address after I have paid for an item but before it ships?

Contact the seller through the order messages right away. If the item has not left their warehouse, many sellers can update the shipping address. eBay does not automatically change addresses on paid orders, so the seller must do it manually. The sooner you ask, the better your chances.

What if I entered the wrong address at checkout?

Message the seller when ready and explain the mistake. If they have not printed a label yet, they can usually fix it. If the label is already printed and the package has shipped, you will need to contact the carrier to see if they can intercept it, or arrange to pick it up at the destination and have it reshipped to the correct address.

Do I need to update my address if I am only buying, not selling?

Only if you are moving or want to use a different address for a specific purchase. Your address is used only for shipping items you buy and for billing. If you do not change it, eBay will use your current address for all future orders unless you pick a different one at checkout.

Can I use a business address instead of a home address?

Yes. eBay accepts any physical street address. If you want packages delivered to your workplace, enter that address in your account. Just make sure someone will be there to receive it, since most carriers require a signature or will leave packages in a visible spot.

What if my address is not in eBay's system?

eBay validates addresses against USPS, UPS, and FedEx databases. If your address is rejected, try entering it in a different format — for example, use "Street" instead of "St." or spell out the full state name instead of the abbreviation. If it still does not work, contact eBay customer service, as some rural or newly built addresses may need manual review.