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If you don’t want Amazon packages to be delivered to your street address or want extra security, you can choose to get them delivered to a Post Office (PO) box.
However, many people get confused about whether or not Amazon even delivers to PO boxes or not.
Quick Summary
Amazon does deliver to PO boxes but only when your order is shipped through USPS (United States Postal Service). So, how do you let Amazon know that you want your packages to be delivered through USPS?
Keep reading this post to find out…
Does Amazon Deliver Packages to PO Boxes?
Yes, Amazon does indeed deliver to PO boxes but you have to keep in mind that they use many different carriers such as UPS, FedEx, USPS, and many more.
Always go for UPS if you want your packages to be delivered to PO boxes.
Out of all of these carriers, only USPS is the one that delivers packages to PO boxes.
Hence, if you want your package to be delivered to a Post Office box successfully, you need to ensure that it’s handled by USPS and not private shipping companies.
How big is your Amazon package?
Another thing you need to think about before your package is delivered to your PO Box is the size of the package.
If the package is too big for your Post Office box, it can definitely be a cause for concern but you don’t need to worry too much as post offices have a way of handling it.
However, if your package is too big for your Post Office box, you’ll be notified by the post office that your package was delivered but was too big for your PO box.
In this case, you’ll be instructed to pick up your package at the counter of the post office and you’ll have 15 days to do so.
Can Amazon Fresh Deliver to PO Boxes?
No. Unfortunately, you cannot get Amazon Fresh items delivered to your PO box.
Amazon Fresh only delivers to eligible street addresses.
Alternatively, if you don’t want to receive Amazon Fresh at your home address, you can check to see if you live near an Amazon Fresh pickup location.
If you do, you can choose to have your groceries delivered there.
Does Amazon Prime Deliver to PO Boxes?
If you have an Amazon Prime membership, you might have an easier time getting packages delivered to your PO box.
Amazon Prime covers the majority of Post Office boxes in the United States.
However, you need to be aware of the fact that if you use a Post Office box, you will most likely not qualify for Amazon Prime’s same-day and release-date deliveries.
Retailers tend to downgrade Prime deliveries to standard deliveries when they see a PO box instead of an actual street address.
How to Enter a PO Box as a Shipping Address on Amazon?
Entering a PO Box as your shipping address is actually quite simple but there are certain things you need to be aware of in order to ensure Amazon uses USPS for your order.
To enter a PO Box as your mailing address, follow these steps:
- Open Amazon.com and click on the “Deliver to” option on the top-left as shown:
- A dialogue box will open with your previous address (if you’ve entered any into your account previously). In this dialogue box, click on “Manage address book” as shown:
- Click on Add Address.
- Within the Address line 1 field, enter your PO box number.
Important Note: It’s essential that you leave the address line 2 field blank so that Amazon knows that your address is a PO box address. Once they know this, they will ensure that your package is handled by USPS who can deliver it to your Post Office box.
Using General Delivery Rather than a PO Box
If you face problems with the Post Office boxes or want to order a package that cannot be delivered to a Post Office box, then you can opt for general delivery.
Similar to a PO box, if you opt for general delivery, then your package gets delivered to the post office from where you can pick it up.
Important Note: Before considering general delivery, it’s a good idea to call your local post office to ensure whether or not they accept general deliveries or not.
General delivery is a service that was created by the USPS to serve individuals that travel a lot and/or lack a single mailing address but would still like to receive mail.
Anybody can use general delivery to obtain packages at a post office rather than their home address or business address.
Here’s how you can format your address:
Your Name
GENERAL DELIVERY
City, State ZIPCODE
Be sure to use capital letters when typing “GENERAL DELIVERY”.
Using Amazon Lockers as an Alternative to PO Boxes
If you can’t use PO boxes and don’t like the option of general delivery for security reasons, you can opt for Amazon lockers to receive packages as well.
Similar to PO boxes, Amazon lockers are compartments that are given to you where you can receive packages delivered by Amazon.
These lockers are typically located in convenience stores or other similar public places of business.
There are thousands of locations for Amazon lockers across the US so if you have one near you, you can definitely take advantage of it.
Collect your package within 3 days.
Packages are stored within your Amazon locker for 3 days during which time you need to go and collect them.
If you don’t collect your Amazon package from your Amazon locker within 3 days, it will be returned and your money will be refunded.
While many Amazon lockers are available 24/7, you must keep in mind that some of them are located within convenience stores.
Depending on where your Amazon locker is located, you must ensure that you get there to receive your package while the place of business in which it is is open.
What are the Pros and Cons of Using a PO Box for Amazon Shipping?
There are many pros and cons to asking Amazon to deliver to PO boxes.
Let’s go over these pros and cons in detail to determine whether or not it’s worth it to get your packages delivered to Post Office boxes.
Pros
Faster Delivery: PO Boxes are hosted in US post offices and USPS personnel prioritize mail that’s being delivered directly to their post offices.
Thus, your package will arrive at the post office much sooner compared to if you’d given them a street address to deliver it directly to your home.
Easy Access: By having a PO box, you don’t need to worry about not being home while your package gets delivered.
It’ll be delivered to the post office where you can receive it any time of the day you want. US post offices operate 24 hours a day.
Easy notifications: If you’ve set up premium PO box services, you’ll receive notifications as texts and emails whenever a package gets delivered to your PO box.
You also get a notification from Amazon whenever a package successfully gets delivered to the provided physical address.
Greater Security: If you’re concerned about security when it comes to your shipping address, then opting for a PO Box is definitely the right choice.
PO boxes are located in post offices which are usually under heavy surveillance. Furthermore, you can only get access to your PO box via a combination lock or a key. Hence, your packages would remain secure in your PO box until you claim them.
Lastly, your home’s physical address and other personal information are also protected from the public as you don’t give it out to receive packages.
A great option for business owners: If you’re a business owner who does not want to use their home address as their physical address to receive mail, then PO Boxes are definitely a great option to consider.
They keep your mail secure and are easier to maintain.
Cons
Only delivered by USPS: You’re limited to USPS as your carrier if you’re using PO boxes. None of the other private shipping companies such as DHL, UPS, FedEx, etc. deliver to PO boxes.
Limitations due to size: You can’t order certain items to your PO box on account of their size. When an item arrives that’s too big for your PO box, you have to claim it within 15 days.
Wrapping Things Up…
Shipping to a PO box can definitely be a great idea if you want to safely receive mail without giving out personal information.
That being said, you have to keep in mind the fact that not all kinds of packages can be delivered to PO boxes, and only the United States Postal Service can fulfill your orders.
Do you consider PO boxes to be a good option for getting packages delivered? Let us know in the comments below.
