Can You Change the Address of a USPS Delivery? Options for Packages and Mail
Yes, but the available options depend on whether the item has shipped, its tracking and eligibility, and whether the request is to redirect one package or forward mail after a move. USPS Package Intercept may let a sender or recipient request a redirect before delivery, but it is not guaranteed. For a permanent move, a Change of Address order forwards eligible mail. For a short-term need, Hold Mail may be more appropriate. Knowing which service fits the situation can save time and help avoid scams.
Meta description: Find out how to change the address of a USPS delivery, use Package Intercept, forward mail after moving, request a hold, and check package eligibility.
Can USPS Change the Address of a Package?
Sometimes. USPS offers Package Intercept, a paid service that allows an eligible sender or recipient to request that a domestic mailpiece be stopped before delivery. Depending on the item’s status and the options available, USPS may return it to the sender or redirect it to a different domestic address or a Post Office for pickup.
A request is not a guarantee. USPS must be able to locate and intercept the item while it is still in the mailstream. If it has already been delivered, is out for delivery, or is otherwise too far along for interception, the request may not succeed. Package Intercept is also subject to eligibility rules, and the service fee and any additional postage depend on the request and current USPS rates.
For the most reliable information, use the official USPS Package Intercept page or sign in through USPS.com. Avoid websites that imitate USPS or promise a guaranteed address change for a tracking fee.
How USPS Package Intercept Works
Package Intercept is intended for a specific mailpiece that is already in transit—not as a general mail-forwarding service. The sender or recipient submits a request online, and USPS checks whether the item qualifies. If approved, USPS makes an attempt to intercept it and carry out the selected disposition.
- Locate the tracking number. The request requires the item’s USPS tracking number. Check the receipt, shipping confirmation, or USPS Tracking page.
- Check eligibility online. Sign in to USPS.com and use the Package Intercept tool. The system indicates whether the item can be requested for interception.
- Select an available action. Options may include returning the item to the sender or redirecting it to an eligible address or Post Office. The choices displayed depend on the shipment.
- Pay any applicable charges. USPS displays the current service fee and any additional postage before the request is submitted. Fees and conditions can change.
- Monitor tracking. A request does not mean the package has already been stopped. Follow tracking updates to see whether USPS intercepted and rerouted it.
USPS does not promise that an intercept will succeed. The package may continue to its original destination if the request arrives too late or the item cannot be pulled from processing. Anyone dealing with a time-sensitive shipment should contact the sender as well as checking the request status.
Which USPS Deliveries Can Be Redirected?
Package Intercept eligibility depends on the mailpiece and its status. In general, the item must be a qualifying domestic shipment with tracking that USPS can identify and attempt to stop. Not every package, service, or shipment qualifies, and availability can vary as the item moves through the network.
International mail, items already delivered, and mailpieces without eligible tracking are generally not candidates for Package Intercept. Certain special services or shipment types may also be excluded. Rather than relying on a broad list, enter the tracking number in USPS’s official tool: its eligibility result is the best way to confirm whether an individual item can be requested.
Package Intercept is not the same as changing the delivery address on a retailer’s order. A seller may have its own ability to cancel or update a shipment before handing it to USPS. Once USPS has the parcel, the recipient generally cannot edit the original shipping label; an approved intercept is a separate request and remains subject to USPS rules.
Changing the Address of a Package Already Out for Delivery
When tracking shows “Out for Delivery,” there may be little time to change the outcome. A Package Intercept request can be unavailable or unsuccessful at this stage. USPS Delivery Instructions may offer alternatives for some eligible packages, but they do not provide a universal way to rewrite the shipping address.
If Delivery Instructions are available, the tracking page may let the recipient request an option such as leaving the package in a specified location, holding it at a Post Office, or arranging redelivery. The options vary by package and delivery address. Instructions should be entered only through USPS.com or another official USPS channel.
If the parcel is not yet delivered, the recipient can also contact the sender. The sender may be able to advise on the shipment, submit a request, or help resolve a problem with the order. Once tracking confirms delivery to the original address, USPS generally cannot redirect the item through Package Intercept.
USPS Package Intercept vs. Change of Address
These services solve different problems. Package Intercept concerns an individual mailpiece in transit. A USPS Change of Address order is designed to forward eligible mail after a person or business moves. It does not usually reroute a particular package already traveling to the old address.
| Service | Best use | Key limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Package Intercept | Request a redirect or return for one eligible item still in transit | Not guaranteed; eligibility and timing apply, and fees may apply |
| Change of Address | Forward eligible mail after a move | Does not instantly update every sender’s records or guarantee forwarding for every item |
| Hold Mail | Pause delivery at an address temporarily | Holds mail rather than changing its destination |
| Delivery Instructions | Choose an available delivery or pickup option for an eligible package | Options vary and do not necessarily change the address on the label |
How to Forward Mail After Moving
People moving to a new home can submit a USPS Change of Address order online or at a Post Office. USPS forwards eligible mail from the old address to the new one for a limited period, depending on the mail class and the type of move. Forwarding gives the recipient time to update accounts, but it is not a substitute for notifying banks, government agencies, employers, insurers, and other senders directly.
Submit the order through the official USPS Change of Address page. USPS uses identity-verification steps for online requests and may charge a small fee for that verification. In-person procedures differ. Follow the instructions on the official site, and be cautious of third-party services that charge substantially more to submit a basic forwarding request.
USPS typically sends confirmation to the old and new addresses, subject to the circumstances of the move. If the confirmation is unexpected, or if the address change was not authorized, contact USPS promptly through official channels. Address-change fraud can redirect sensitive mail, so an unexpected confirmation should not be ignored.
How to Hold Mail Instead of Changing the Address
If the recipient is away temporarily, USPS Hold Mail may be a better fit than forwarding. It pauses mail delivery to an address for a selected period, generally from 3 to 30 days. At the end of the hold, delivery resumes, and held mail may be delivered or collected according to the request and local procedures.
Hold Mail applies to an address, not just one package, and it is not a way to send mail to another location. Requests can be submitted online through USPS.com or at a Post Office. Submit the request in advance when possible, and check the confirmation details to make sure the dates and address are correct.
What to Do If a USPS Package Was Delivered to the Wrong Address
Package Intercept is meant for items that have not yet been delivered. If tracking says “Delivered” but the recipient cannot find the package, first check the delivery location, mailbox, porch, parcel locker, and nearby entrances. A carrier may have placed the item in a secure location or marked it delivered shortly before it physically arrives.
If the package remains missing, contact the sender or retailer and submit a request through USPS’s official help channels. The sender may need to open a service request or make a claim, depending on the shipping service and circumstances. Keep the tracking number, order information, and any relevant delivery details available.
If the item appears to have been delivered to a neighbor or another address, do not assume that USPS can disclose private recipient information. Report the issue through USPS and the sender. For a package sent to an old address after a move, contact the current resident or property manager only when appropriate, and update the address with the sender to prevent future misdeliveries.
Common Reasons an Address Change Request Fails
- The item is too far along. USPS may not be able to intercept a package already out for delivery or delivered.
- The tracking number is ineligible. Some mailpieces, services, or shipment types cannot use Package Intercept.
- The request is for the wrong service. A Change of Address order is for forwarding eligible mail after a move, not an instant redirect for one package.
- The address does not match the request. Missing apartment numbers, incorrect ZIP Codes, or incomplete recipient details can create problems.
- The sender’s restrictions apply. Some senders limit changes or require the recipient to contact them first.
How to Avoid USPS Address-Change Scams
Use addresses that end in usps.com for USPS online services, and navigate to them directly rather than clicking unexpected text messages or emails. USPS does not need a recipient to pay an unfamiliar “redelivery fee” through a random link to release a package. Fake delivery notices often use urgent language to collect payment details or personal information.
Never provide a tracking number, payment information, or identity details on a site that cannot be verified as official. If a message seems suspicious, check the tracking number by typing USPS.com into the browser and entering it there. For a move, use the USPS Change of Address page; for one package, use Package Intercept or the tracking page’s available Delivery Instructions.
Quick Checklist for Changing a USPS Delivery
- One package still in transit: Check Package Intercept eligibility with the tracking number.
- Package out for delivery: Review any Delivery Instructions offered on the official tracking page, but do not assume an address change is possible.
- Permanent move: Submit a Change of Address order and update important senders directly.
- Temporary absence: Request Hold Mail for the appropriate dates.
- Package already delivered: Check the delivery location, then contact the sender and USPS if it cannot be found.
- Unexpected address-change notice: Treat it as potentially unauthorized and contact USPS through verified channels.
The most important distinction is whether the request concerns one package in transit or mail going to an address after a move. Package Intercept may redirect an eligible shipment before delivery, while Change of Address and Hold Mail address broader delivery needs. Checking the tracking page and using USPS’s official tools provides the clearest answer for a specific item.