Does Amazon Deliver To PO Boxes In 2026? Here‘s What You Need To Know

Hey there! If you‘re an online shopper with a post office box address, you may sometimes find it tricky to get packages delivered from Amazon.

I know you‘re wondering: Does Amazon even ship to PO boxes these days?

The answer isn‘t a simple yes or no. Amazon will deliver to post office box addresses, but only for certain eligible items. Restrictions apply based on the carrier, product size, hazards, and other factors.

This article will give you the complete lowdown on Amazon‘s policies for PO box delivery. I‘ll explain:

• Why Amazon limits PO box shipping
• Exactly what item categories are restricted
• Smart workarounds to receive Amazon orders without a street address
• How PO boxes work and benefits of using one
• FAQs on Amazon and PO box addresses

By the end, you‘ll understand what Amazon can and can‘t ship to your PO box – and easy ways to get those packages delivered!

Here‘s Why Amazon Limits PO Box Delivery

Before we dive into specifics, let‘s look at why Amazon restricts shipping to PO box addresses:

Amazon relies heavily on carriers like UPS that don‘t deliver to PO boxes.

For any given package, Amazon chooses the cheapest carrier option. For small lightweight packages under 1 lb, that‘s usually the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) which will deliver to PO boxes.

But for heavier packages over 1 lb, UPS and FedEx offer better rates than USPS. So Amazon uses them for the bulk of orders.

Here‘s a breakdown of Amazon‘s shipping spend with each carrier according to a 2021 estimate by SJ Consulting:

• UPS – 58%
• USPS – 26%
• FedEx – 15%
• Regional carriers – 1%

The problem is that UPS explicitly does not deliver to PO boxes, and neither does FedEx.

So Amazon simply cannot ship many larger or heavier products to a PO box, because UPS and FedEx won‘t handle the delivery.

Size and weight restrictions also apply when sending to a PO box.

USPS has some reasonable limits on the size of packages it will deliver to post office boxes:

• Max weight: 70 lbs
• Max length and girth combined: 108 inches

Plus oversize items like furniture could never fit into a tiny PO box anyway!

So bulky and heavy products commonly purchased on Amazon like appliances, electronics, and outdoor equipment are prohibited from going to a PO box.

Hazardous and regulated materials are banned from post office boxes by federal law. That includes anything flammable, toxic, perishable, liquid, etc.

So no shipping paint, chemicals, medication, or food without a street address. Safety first!

Special categories like groceries require refrigeration and quick delivery, making PO boxes unsuitable.

That covers most of the restrictions. Now let‘s get into specifics…

Does Amazon Ship Any Items To PO Boxes?

Yes, Amazon will ship eligible items to a PO box address in the continental US.

You can tell if an item qualifies for PO box delivery during the checkout process.

When entering your PO box as the shipping address, Amazon will let you know if there are any restrictions on that particular product.

Some examples of items that can often ship to PO boxes include:

• Books, movies, music
• Small electronics like headphones or tablets
• Health and beauty products
• Toys and board games
• Clothing and accessories
• Kitchenware and home goods

According to Amazon, these categories together represent over 90% of the products available on their site.

So the majority of smaller, lightweight everyday items are available for PO box delivery directly from Amazon.

Third-party sellers on Amazon may have different policies. But Prime-eligible items should ship to most PO boxes.

Just watch out for oversized or hazardous items that won‘t be able to go to a PO box address.

And remember that…

Amazon Prime Delivery Is Restricted With PO Boxes

If you have an Amazon Prime account, you‘ll still get free standard shipping on eligible items sent to your PO box.

However, Amazon does not provide the full range of Prime delivery speeds and perks to PO box addresses.

For example, Prime members with PO boxes cannot get:

• Release date delivery – for new video games, books, movies, music on launch day
• Same-day delivery – through Prime Now on last-minute essentials
• Amazon Day delivery – choosing a delivery day for all your orders
• Two-day shipping – often reverts back to standard 3-5 day delivery

It makes sense, because those faster Prime shipping options rely on couriers like UPS.

And we know UPS doesn‘t deliver to PO boxes. So Prime subscribers with PO boxes still get free standard shipping, just not the fastest speeds.

This can be frustrating if you pay $139 per year for Prime expecting two-day shipping! But now you know the limitations.

Next, let‘s look at clever workarounds to receive Amazon orders without a street address…

Workarounds: Send Packages To General Delivery

Just because Amazon won‘t ship to your PO box doesn‘t mean you‘re out of luck. You have a couple different options to get packages delivered without a physical street address.

Let‘s look at two great solutions:

1. Use General Delivery

General Delivery is a free USPS service that holds packages at your local post office for pickup. It‘s just like having a PO box, but without paying for an actual box number.

Here‘s how to use General Delivery when shipping Amazon orders and packages:

• Verify your post office accepts General Delivery by calling them first. Most do, but it‘s not offered everywhere.

• Enter your shipping address on Amazon or other sites as:

  Your Name
  GENERAL DELIVERY
  City, State Zip Code

• Be sure to use all uppercase letters for "GENERAL DELIVERY"

• Watch for the delivery confirmation and bring a government ID to pick up your package at the post office counter.

Simple as that! The post office holds it for you instead of putting it in a PO box.

General Delivery isn‘t quite as secure as having your own locked PO box. But overall it works smoothly for receiving Amazon orders and is 100% free.

2. Use an Amazon Locker

Another workaround is to ship your Amazon packages to an Amazon Locker pickup location instead of your PO box address.

Amazon has set up thousands of Locker pickup points across the US, typically located at convenience stores, malls, grocery stores, and college campuses.

When you select a Locker location as your delivery address, Amazon will ship your package there once it arrives.

You‘ll get a pickup code to open the locker compartment and collect your order.

Benefits of using Amazon Lockers include:

• Packages held securely for 3 days after delivery
• Many locations open 24/7 for pickup any time
• Free for all Amazon customers to use
• No need to wait in line at post office

So if you live near one, an Amazon Locker can be the perfectsolution.

Check the Amazon Locker website to find one in your area.

Why Exactly Won‘t Amazon Deliver To My PO Box?

If you‘ve tried to enter your PO box address on Amazon, but keep getting messages that delivery isn‘t available, I know it can be frustrating!

Here are some common reasons Amazon may block delivery specifically to your post office box:

• No USPS access – Your PO box location may not be served by USPS, which Amazon requires. Amazon relies on USPS for PO box shipping.

• Rural location – Amazon may not deliver to all rural PO box ZIP codes if it‘s outside their normal delivery routes.

• Seller restrictions – Third-party sellers on Amazon can opt out of shipping to PO boxes, even for eligible items. So it may be the seller blocking delivery.

• Address verification – Amazon may flag PO boxes that don‘t validate against USPS address databases. Usually updating the address details with USPS resolves this.

• Invalid address – Something like an incorrect ZIP code could make your PO box address invalid. Verify the details.

If you think your PO box address should be valid for delivery, double check the details directly with the post office.

Often contacting Amazon Customer Service can help too. They may be able to override any restrictions on a case-by-case basis.

How Do PO Boxes Work? The Benefits of Getting One

If you don‘t already have a post office box, you may be wondering:

• How do PO boxes work?
• What are the pros and cons?
• Is it worth getting a PO box if I shop online a lot?

Let‘s take a quick look at the benefits of having a PO box address and how they work:

Added Security

A PO box gives you more security and privacy over a regular street mailbox. There‘s no risk of mail theft or vandalism.

USPS takes extra steps to ensure only you can access the contents of your box.

Receive Packages and Mail Anywhere

If you move frequently or don‘t have a fixed home address, a PO box allows you to get mail from anywhere. Only you can access it.

It also provides a stable mailing address for submitting documents, registrations, taxes, etc.

24/7 Access

Most post office locations allow 24 hour access to your PO box after hours by using a key. This enables you to check your mail on weekends or evenings.

Features Like Package Notification

USPS offers box holders services like email or text alerts when you receive mail or packages in your PO box.

This way you don‘t have to check every day.

Reasonable Cost

The cost of renting a PO box is fairly affordable, starting around $5-10 per month for a small box. Larger sizes for packages are more like $15-30 monthly.

There are also no long term commitments – you can rent month to month and cancel anytime.

So in summary, the core benefits of having a PO box are security, convenience, package notification, and cost. For online shoppers who move around a lot or want extra privacy, they can be a smart solution.

The only drawback is some retailers like Amazon won‘t ship certain items there. But as we‘ve discussed, plenty of workarounds exist!

Shipping Policies at Other Retailers and Carriers

We‘ve talked a lot about Amazon, but how do other major companies handle shipping to PO boxes?

Here‘s a quick rundown of the PO box shipping policies at some top retailers and carriers:

Walmart

• Does not ship to PO boxes currently.
• Offers in-store pickup instead. You can select this option at checkout.

Target

• Will ship smaller items under 10 lbs and 108 inches girth to PO boxes.
• Confirms if an item is eligible under "Shipping" during checkout.

eBay

• Depends on individual seller‘s preferences.
• Many eBay sellers will ship to PO box addresses.
• Check item listings for seller policies.

Best Buy

• Ships smaller items under 10 lbs to PO box addresses only.
• Larger items require a street address.

Home Depot

• Does not deliver to PO boxes at all right now.
• Offers in-store, curbside, or locker pickup instead.

UPS

• Does not deliver to PO boxes – physical street address required.
• Allows packages to be sent to UPS Access Points.

FedEx

• Does not deliver to PO boxes.
• Provides Hold at Location service to pick up at FedEx Office.

USPS

• Delivers to any valid PO box address.
• General delivery available if PO box isn‘t accessible.

So retailers that ship primarily with USPS are often more PO box friendly. But many big chains restrict PO box delivery, especially for larger items.

I recommend checking a company‘s website for their latest policies if you only have a PO box address.

And reach out to customer service with any questions – they can explain specific restrictions.

FAQs About Amazon and PO Box Shipping

I know I‘ve covered a lot of ground when it comes to Amazon and PO boxes. But you may still have some questions.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:

Does Amazon deliver to PO boxes in Puerto Rico?

Yes, but with stricter limits. Amazon only ships to certain PO ZIP codes in Puerto Rico. Oversized and hazardous items are excluded. And no express shipping options.

Can I use a PO box in a different state as my shipping address?

Yes, but remember you‘ll need to go to that post office location to pick up any packages. Some states restrict out-of-state PO boxes, so check first.

Can I get packages sent to a UPS Store or FedEx Office PO box?

Yes, you can rent a mailbox at these locations and use it as your return address. Packages will be held for pickup. Much more reliable than a USPS PO box for Amazon orders.

What if I order a restricted item by mistake to my PO Box?

If you accidentally order something prohibited – like a large appliance – Amazon will likely cancel the order and notify you delivery isn‘t possible to that address.

Can I ship Amazon packages to a friend‘s address instead?

Absolutely! Having your Amazon packages securely delivered to a trusted friend‘s or relative‘s street address is a simple workaround.

What happens if I don‘t pick up my order from the post office?

If you don‘t collect your mail or packages from the post office within a certain window, they will return the items to the sender. So make sure to pickup or re-route any packages.

I hope these answers help provide some clarification and tips for your unique situation!

The Bottom Line

At the end of the day, can Amazon ship packages to your PO box? Sometimes yes, sometimes no.

If you have a post office box address, just remember these key points:

• Amazon will only ship eligible Prime items under 1 lb by USPS to PO boxes.

• Bigger, heavier items are restricted based on Amazon‘s dependence on UPS.

• Options like General Delivery or Amazon Lockers enable PO box customers to get packages.

• See if the item qualifies for PO box delivery during checkout.

• Understand the reasons for any restrictions on your particular PO box.

While it can be tricky if you rely exclusively on a PO box address for packages, workable solutions exist!

I hope this guide gave you a deep understanding of Amazon‘s policies, restrictions, and recommended workarounds. Let me know if you have any other questions!