How to Change Your UPS Delivery Address Before It Arrives

Change Your UPS Delivery Address Online or by Phone

You can change where a UPS package goes before it arrives by using UPS My Choice, calling UPS customer service, or contacting the sender. The fastest method is UPS My Choice if you have a UPS account and the package is still in transit. If the package is already out for delivery that day, calling UPS directly gives you the best chance of catching it in time.

The window to make changes is narrow — once a package reaches the local delivery facility, your options shrink. A package typically spends one to three days in transit before reaching your area, so act as soon as you know you need a different address.

Key Takeaways

UPS My Choice lets you change the delivery address online if you log in before the package reaches your local facility, usually within 24 hours of delivery.
Calling 1-800-742-5877 works even without a UPS account, but you need the tracking number and must reach UPS before the driver leaves the facility that morning.
If you are not the sender, contact the person who shipped the package — they can request a change through their own UPS account or by calling UPS.
Changing the address after the package is out for delivery the same day is difficult; UPS may hold it at a facility instead, and you pick it up the next business day.
Some packages cannot be redirected if they require a signature or are marked as delivery-confirmation-only.

Using UPS My Choice to Redirect Your Package

Log into your UPS My Choice account at ups.com/mychoice. If you do not have an account, create one using your email address — it takes about two minutes. Once you are logged in, find the package under "Pending Deliveries" and click on it.

Select "Change Delivery" or "Redirect Package" from the menu. You will see options to change the address, hold the package at a UPS location for pickup, or delay delivery. Enter the new address exactly as it should appear on the label — include apartment or suite numbers, and use the full zip code. Confirm the change; UPS will send you a confirmation email within minutes.

This method works only if the package is still in the UPS network and has not yet reached the local delivery facility. Once it arrives at the facility serving your area, the option to change the address online disappears, usually within 24 hours of the scheduled delivery date.

Calling UPS to Change the Address

Call UPS Customer Service at 1-800-742-5877 and have your tracking number ready. You do not need a UPS account to call, but the representative will ask for the tracking number, the original delivery address, and the new address you want instead.

The representative will check whether the package can be redirected. If it is still in transit or at a regional facility, they can usually change the address on the spot. If the package is already at the local delivery facility or out with a driver, they may offer to hold it at a UPS Customer Center for you to pick up the next business day instead.

Call early in the morning on the day before delivery or the morning of delivery itself. Once the driver leaves the facility with your package, the window closes. UPS cannot always reach the driver to turn them around, so timing matters.

What to Do If You Are Not the Recipient

If someone else ordered the package and had it shipped to your address by mistake, contact the sender directly. They can log into their own UPS account or call UPS to request the change. UPS will not change the address for someone other than the account holder or the recipient without written permission from the sender.

If you cannot reach the sender, you can refuse the package when it arrives. The driver will return it to UPS, and it will go back to the sender. This takes longer than redirecting it, so contacting the sender first is faster.

Holding Your Package at a UPS Location Instead

If changing the address is not an option, you can ask UPS to hold the package at a UPS Customer Center or UPS Store near you. Use UPS My Choice online, call 1-800-742-5877, or tell the driver when they arrive. The package will be held for up to five business days, and you can pick it up during that location's business hours.

This option works even if the package is already out for delivery. When you pick it up, bring a photo ID that matches the name on the label. Some UPS Stores are franchises and may have different policies, so call ahead to confirm they hold packages and their hours.

Packages That Cannot Be Redirected

Some packages cannot be changed or held, even if you try early. Packages marked as requiring an adult signature, packages containing alcohol or hazardous materials, and some international shipments cannot be redirected online or by phone. In these cases, your only option is to refuse the package when it arrives and have it returned to the sender.

If the package requires a signature and you will not be home, you can leave a note for the driver asking them to leave it in a safe place, but UPS is not required to do so. The safest approach is to arrange to be home or have someone else sign for it at the original address.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Do not wait until the day of delivery to make changes. By morning, the package may already be at the local facility, and your options will be limited to holding it for pickup. Check your tracking number as soon as you know the address is wrong.

Do not assume the driver can change the address on the spot. Drivers do not have the authority to redirect packages to new addresses — they can only refuse the package or leave it as planned. Any address change must go through UPS directly before the driver leaves the facility.

Do not provide an incomplete or incorrect new address. UPS will deliver to exactly what you enter, so include the apartment number, suite number, or any other detail that makes the address unique. If the address is wrong, the package may be returned to the sender or held at a facility.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

It is very difficult once the driver has left the facility. Call 1-800-742-5877 when ready and ask UPS to hold it at a facility instead. If the driver is already in your area, they may not be able to turn around, and the package will be delivered as planned or returned to the sender.

What if I enter the wrong address when I redirect the package?

Contact UPS right away with your tracking number and ask them to correct it. If you catch it before the package reaches the new facility, they can fix it. If the package has already been sent to the wrong address, you will need to work with the recipient at that address to retrieve it or have it returned to the sender.

Do I need a UPS account to change my delivery address?

You do not need an account to call UPS and request a change — just have your tracking number ready. However, a UPS My Choice account makes it faster because you can make changes online without waiting on hold. Creating an account is free and takes a few minutes.

How long does it take for a UPS address change to go into effect?

Changes made online through UPS My Choice take effect within minutes. Changes made by phone are processed when ready, but the driver may not receive the update if they have already left the facility. Always confirm with the representative that the change has been recorded before you hang up.

What happens if the new address is outside UPS's service area?

UPS will tell you during the redirect process if the new address cannot be served. In that case, you can ask them to hold the package at a UPS Customer Center in your area, or you can refuse it and have it returned to the sender so they can reship it to a location UPS does serve.

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.