Does Amazon Deliver To PO Boxes? Ordering from Amazon couldn’t be easier, but if you don’t have or don’t want to use a standard residential street address, you could run into problems with your Amazon delivery.
In this article, we’ll go over what you need to know about Amazon shipping to PO Box addresses.
Does Amazon Deliver To PO Boxes in 2024?
Many items ordered from Amazon ship to PO Box addresses. PO Box delivery will depend on the type of item you’re ordering, the delivery methods you select, and the seller.
Let’s look at the sellers first.
There Are 3 Types Of Seller On Amazon
- Amazon itself
- Amazon Marketplace sellers
- Fulfilled by Amazon sellers
For items sold by Amazon itself, you’ll be able to have your order sent to your PO Box in most cases.
Amazon Marketplace sellers are 3rd party businesses that list products for sale on Amazon. Once they receive an order, they ship the products out from their own store or warehouse.
In some cases, Marketplace sellers may decline an order with a PO Box delivery address for security reasons, or they may use carriers like UPS or FedEx that don’t deliver to PO Boxes.
If an Amazon Market place seller cannot accept your order, you should see a notice during checkout which will prompt you to enter a different delivery address.
Fulfilled By Amazon (FBA) is a service that Amazon offers to qualified vendors. These are still 3rd party businesses, but the difference between an FBA vendor and an Amazon Marketplace seller is the FBA vendor uses Amazon to stock and deliver their products.
Products sold by FBA vendors are stored at Amazon distribution centers, and Amazon ships those products out the same way it ships its own merchandise. If the items you order on Amazon are sold by an FBA vendor, you’ll be able to have your order delivered to your PO Box in most cases.
See Also: What to do if Amazon Delivered to Wrong Address.
Amazon Delivery Methods Eligible For PO Box Delivery
When you place an order on Amazon, you’re given a number of delivery options during the checkout process, and some of those options cannot be used with a PO Box delivery address.
The Amazon delivery options eligible for PO Box delivery are:
- Free Standard Shipping
- Amazon Prime – Free 2-Day Shipping
- Guaranteed Delivery
You can’t get your Amazon order delivered to a PO Box if you want to use any of the following delivery options:
- Release Date Delivery
- Scheduled Delivery For Large & Bulky Items
- Expedited One-Day Shipping
- Expedited Two-Day Shipping
Read Also: Does UPS Deliver on Sunday?
Amazon Prime PO Box Eligible Delivery Methods
As an Amazon Prime member, one of the main benefits you get is the number of free delivery options you can choose from. But if you need to have your orders sent to a PO Box, you won’t be able to use some of those options.
For PO Box delivery you’ll need to choose Amazon Prime – Free 2-Day Shipping.
These other options are not eligible for Amazon Prime PO Box delivery:
- Amazon Prime – Amazon Day Delivery
- Amazon Prime – Free Same Day Shipping
- Amazon Prime – Free 2-Hour Delivery
- Amazon Prime – Free Release-Date Delivery
Amazon Restrictions On Deliveries To PO Boxes
Some items ordered from Amazon can’t be delivered to a PO Box. If this is the case for the items you’re ordering, you’ll see a notice when you check out.
If your default delivery address is set to your PO Box, you’ll also see a notice on the product page telling you that the item cannot be sent to that address.
- Some items sold by Amazon will need a signature to confirm delivery. The Post Office can’t sign for your item, so any deliveries that require a signature can’t be delivered to a PO Box.
- Another item that cannot be sent to a PO Box is a cell phone with a carrier plan. All phones that need a new line activation can only be delivered to a residential street address.
- If you’re thinking about setting up an Amazon Book Box subscription for your child, you should know that these aren’t eligible for PO Box delivery either.
- Amazon Pharmacy orders for prescription medications can’t be shipped to a PO Box.
Try An Alternative Delivery Address
People need to have packages delivered to a PO Box for all kinds of reasons, but PO Boxes can’t accept all package deliveries, and that creates some frustrating problems when you’re trying to buy goods online.
If you’re using a USPS PO Box because you don’t have a residential street address, because your apartment mail location isn’t secure, or because you’re never home when packages arrive, there are some alternative delivery options you could consider for your Amazon deliveries.
- Amazon Hub Lockers
- Amazon Counters
- Post Office General Delivery Address
Amazon Hub Lockers & Amazon Counters
Amazon Lockers and Counters are a great alternative to using a PO Box.
- There’s no additional delivery cost.
- Most items can be delivered to these locations.
- Packages are safe and secure.
- You can collect your delivery when it suits you.
Amazon Hub Lockers
Amazon lockers are secure parcel lockers that open when you enter a unique code. Many locker locations are open 24 hours a day, so you can collect your Amazon deliveries at a time that suits you.
When you’re going through the Amazon checkout process for items sold or fulfilled by Amazon, you’ll be offered the option of having your order shipped to a locker. Just select a convenient Amazon Locker location as your delivery address, then continue to checkout as normal.
Once your package has arrived, you’ll receive an email with an entry code and a barcode. When you arrive at the locker, enter the code or scan the barcode and the locker will open.
Your package will be available at the locker for 3 days. Uncollected packages will be returned after 3 days and a refund will be issued automatically.
Amazon Lockers are suitable for packages weighing less than 10 pounds, and the maximum package dimensions are 16 x 12 x 14 inches. If your package is larger than the maximum dimensions or heavier than 10 pounds, you can choose an Amazon Counter as your delivery address instead.
Amazon Counters
Amazon Counters are another option. These are assisted pick-up locations situated inside local businesses like pharmacies, supermarkets, and convenience stores.
Again, when you go through the checkout process, you’ll be given the option to choose an Amazon Counter as your delivery address. You just need to choose a location that’s convenient for you (near your home or your workplace), then checkout as normal.
When your package arrives, you’ll receive a message with your pickup instructions. When you arrive to pick up your package, an assistant will scan the email on your phone, then give you your package. You don’t need to show any ID.
Amazon Counter deliveries are available for 7 days after delivery. Uncollected packages will be returned after 7 days and a refund will be issued automatically.
With deliveries to an Amazon Locker or an Amazon Counter, you can ask another person to collect your order for you. Just send them the delivery confirmation email with the access code and barcode.
Local Post Office General Delivery
You can use the General Delivery Address for your local post office if you can’t get your order shipped to your PO Box with your preferred Amazon or Amazon prime delivery method.
This delivery option is less secure but if you trust the staff at your local post office, then you might think about trying this option.
To set this delivery address up, you should call your post office first and make sure that they accept deliveries to the General Delivery address. Ask them to give you the correct address format to use.
It’s usually your name on the first line, followed by GENERAL DELIVERY on the second line, then your city, state, and ZIP Code.
You won’t receive a delivery notification, so make sure you check at the post office counter on the date your package is supposed to arrive. To collect your package you’ll need to show some ID.
Quick Recap
Most items ordered directly from Amazon or from a vendor using Fulfilled By Amazon, are eligible for PO Box delivery, however, some Amazon Marketplace sellers may not offer this delivery option.
You’ll have a more limited number of delivery methods to choose from compared to the options available for a regular address, and most Amazon Prime shipping options can’t be used with a PO Box delivery address.
Some items can’t be sent to a PO Box. These include cell phones with new lines, pharmacy medications, Amazon Book Boxes, and items that require a signature.
