While many addresses use a traditional mailbox, some people prefer to use PO boxes to receive their mail and packages.
PO boxes are a collection of mailboxes at a post office.
They’re a secure place where your mail and packages go, so you don’t have to worry about anyone accessing your mail.
If you want an Amazon package delivered to your PO box, you may wonder if it’s possible.
Does Amazon Deliver To PO Boxes?
Yes, Amazon does deliver to PO boxes.
However, there are limitations.
You cannot get Same-Day delivery with a PO box address.
You also do not qualify for 2-Day Delivery with a PO box address.
Instead, you can expect your deliveries to arrive within the traditional three to seven business days, if not later.
Keep in mind that not all carriers or sellers will deliver to a PO box.
While Amazon, itself, might be able to deliver to your address, certain sellers might not.
That’s because they use a carrier that, for whatever reason, cannot deliver to a PO box.
You’ll be able to know immediately whether your order can arrive at your box or not.
You’ll also be able to tell if any of your Amazon Prime benefits qualify for delivery to your PO box.
While Amazon does deliver to PO boxes, there are many limitations to this service.
How Do You Get Amazon Packages To A PO Box From Carriers Who Don’t Deliver?
You may find yourself with a product that you want to buy on Amazon, but you discover that the seller can’t deliver it to a PO box.
You may think you’re out of luck, but that isn’t the case.
Here are a few ways you can still get Amazon packages delivered to your PO box.
1. General Delivery
One of the best ways that you can get a package to your PO box is with the USPS service called General Delivery.
This service is usually used for those who don’t have a permanent address.
For example, RV owners who travel from state to state don’t have a permanent address.
Nomadic or remote workers who travel often likely don’t have a permanent address either.
General Delivery is a way for those individuals to receive their mail despite not having a permanent address.
It acts as a temporary address.
If the seller or carrier won’t deliver to your PO box, then you can use General Delivery to get around it.
All you need to do to fill out your address for General Delivery is to put “General Delivery” in the address line of your shipping information.
Then you simply include the city, state, and zip code of your area.
The carrier will then take your package to the post office associated with General Delivery in your area.
Keep in mind that not every post office offers General Delivery services.
In most cases, General Delivery is only available at one facility.
The postmaster is in charge of determining which facility that’s going to be and whether they need to add any other facilities for General Delivery.
As such, if the post office nearest to you isn’t the facility chosen for General Delivery services, then you may need to travel to the office that is.
There’s also a limit on how many times you can use General Delivery.
As such, you should only use this service to get your packages to your PO box address if you’re unable to get them any other way.
Finally, the post office can only hold your package for 30 days.
This is due to the lack of storage space that a post office has.
You need to be able to pick up your package within that timeframe.
General Delivery can be an ideal way to get around carriers who won’t deliver to your PO Box.
2. Package Intercept
Another service you can use to get your packages delivered to your PO box is Package Intercept.
This is another service that the USPS offers, albeit you do need to pay a fee for it.
Package Intercept allows you to tell the post office that they need to look for and move your package to a different location.
For example, if you use General Delivery to have your package brought to a post office, you may find that the post office is far away from you.
You can then use Package Intercept to tell your local post office to intercept the package before it makes its way to the distant post office.
The local office will grab hold of it instead and hold onto it for you.
Then you can drive to your post office and pick up your package as usual.
If you have a PO box with your local post office, then there’s also a chance that they’ll put it in your box for you.
Package Intercept isn’t a guaranteed service, however.
There’s a chance that your local post office won’t be able to get their hands on your package before it arrives at the office far away as per your General Delivery request.
To increase the chances of your post office being able to intercept it, you need to submit your Package Intercept request as soon as possible.
It’s a good idea to first determine if you need to use this service by checking the location of the office for the General Delivery service.
If it is, then you can submit your order on Amazon, then immediately put in a Package Intercept request with your local post office.
They’ll keep an eye out for your package and have it sent to them.
You’re only charged for the Package Intercept service if they successfully intercept your package.
As such, this service can help steer your package to your PO box even if carriers don’t normally deliver there.
3. Street Addressing With PO Box
A final method that allows you to get around carriers who don’t deliver to PO boxes is the Street Addressing service that the USPS offers.
The USPS is aware that not all private carriers can deliver to PO boxes.
To make it easier for them and more convenient for you, they have a Street Addressing service.
Street Addressing essentially uses the post office’s location as your address with your PO box number affixed to it.
Not all USPS locations offer this service, so it’s worth checking to see if your local office does.
When you sign up for Street Addressing, you’ll receive your new address.
You can use this address when filling out the shipping information for your package on Amazon.
In most cases, the carrier will be able to deliver your package to your PO box at your local post office.
Street Addressing is a great way to get Amazon packages delivered to your PO Box.
When Wouldn’t Amazon Deliver To PO Boxes?
Although Amazon will deliver to PO boxes most of the time, you may run into a seller or carrier who refuses to deliver your Amazon package there.
Here are a few reasons Amazon might not deliver your package to your PO box.
1. Package Size
One of the most common reasons Amazon won’t deliver to a PO box is the size of the package.
The post office has five different sizes for their PO boxes.
The smallest of those boxes can fit a few letters in them and very thin packages.
The largest of those boxes can fit a few packages inside provided they’re not too long or wide.
Depending on what you’re buying, the package might not fit in the PO box that you have.
If it can’t fit, then the carrier can’t complete its service.
They’re not going to leave your package on the post office floor for someone to pick up.
Along with the size, there’s also a concern over the weight of the package.
If the package is too heavy, then it can break the box.
While the boxes are secure, they can only hold so much weight.
If too many PO boxes have heavy packages in them, then your package might be the deciding factor on whether the boxes break or not.
Amazon might not deliver to your PO box because the package is too large or too heavy.
2. Signature Required
Another reason Amazon might not deliver to your PO box is that the package requires a signature.
This is something that happens most often when the package holds something of high value.
For example, if you ordered an expensive TV off of Amazon, then you’re going to need to sign for it.
If you bought jewelry or even workout equipment, then you’ll have to sign for it.
When you buy something over a certain monetary threshold, Amazon needs you to sign for the package.
This ensures that the expensive item gets in your hands and no one else’s.
It also protects the seller since they don’t have to worry about reimbursements for stolen items.
The problem with signatures is that this makes it impossible for Amazon to deliver the package to your PO box.
Unless you’re standing at the PO box waiting for them to arrive, they’re not going to have anyone to sign for the package.
The post office can’t sign for your package because it’s addressed to you.
If your package requires a signature, then Amazon won’t be able to send it to a PO box address.
3. Independent Contractors
A final reason Amazon doesn’t deliver to some PO boxes is that they have independent contractors.
Amazon has both actual employees and independent contractors handling their deliveries.
When an independent contractor gets a delivery for a PO box, they’re unable to make the delivery.
That’s because they’re not given the same privileges and access as official employees.
Without that access, they’re unable to get to the PO boxes and make the delivery.
One of the reasons they don’t have access is that they’re not covered by any insurance.
An employee has insurance coverage provided by their employer if anything goes wrong.
Most employers also perform background checks on their employees.
This vouches for them and makes them trustworthy in sensitive locations like post offices.
Independent contractors aren’t given that same vetting.
As a result, their access faces restrictions.
Amazon may not be able to deliver a package to your PO address because an independent contractor is handling it.
Where Can You Send An Amazon Package If They Won’t Deliver To Your PO Box?
If you need a product from Amazon, but they won’t deliver it to your PO box, there are still places where you can get it.
If you don’t have a street address and rely on your PO box to get your mail and packages, then you may feel as though you’re out of luck when Amazon can’t deliver to your PO box.
Luckily, there are a few places where you can send your package to pick it up instead of at a PO box.
Here are a few places where you can send your package if Amazon can’t deliver it to your PO box.
1. Amazon Hub Locker
One of the best ways to get your package if you can’t get it to your PO Box is with an Amazon Hub Locker.
A Hub Locker is essentially a storage place in a secure facility or business.
You travel to the Locker when you receive an email that your package has arrived there.
The email also includes a six-digit code that you use to access your particular locker.
Inside the locker is your package.
You can then pick it up and go on with the rest of your day.
One of the best things about the Amazon Hub Locker service is that it doesn’t cost you anything extra to use it.
To use the Locker service, you only need to add an Amazon Hub Locker address to your Amazon list of addresses.
When you check out with an order, you then simply select that address.
The package will go there and you’ll receive an email with all the information you need about picking it up.
Amazon Hub Lockers tend to be in stores, convenience stores, and even malls.
The only negative of using an Amazon Hub Locker is that the Locker closest to you might be far away.
Those who live in rural communities, for example, may have to travel a distance to access the Locker.
That said, if Amazon can’t deliver to your PO box, then you can have them deliver your package to a Hub Locker instead.
2. UPS
Another place that you can have Amazon deliver your packages to is the UPS store.
UPS can hold onto your Amazon package and keep it secure for a limited time.
Once you arrive at the store, you only need to show some identification to prove who you are.
They’ll hand you the package, and you’re able to go on your way.
To have your package go to a UPS store, you only need to fill in the store’s address to your shipping information.
The store will receive the package and hold onto it for you.
The main negative of sending your package to the UPS store is that you can only pick up your package during their store hours.
You’re unable to pick up your package when the store isn’t open.
If you’re someone that works odd hours, then finding the time to get to the UPS store while it’s open might be difficult.
For everyone else, as long as you have a UPS store nearby, then having Amazon send your package there is a great alternative if they’re unable to send it to your PO box.
3. Neighbor
If your neighbor has a street address, then you might consider asking them if they’d be willing to accept your package on your behalf.
As long as you’re on good terms, they’ll likely help you out.
To make the delivery process easier, you’ll want to put your neighbor’s address on the shipping information when checking out on Amazon.
It’s also worth putting their name on the box in case they need to sign for it.
As long as you alert your neighbor of an incoming package, then they probably won’t open it since they’ll be expecting it.
Sending your Amazon package to your neighbor is also ideal if you’re away on vacation or traveling.
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