Q: Can you ship packages to a PO box address? → A: Yes, USPS delivers all domestic services to PO boxes, and UPS Ground Saver also delivers through USPS for the final mile. Over 21 million PO boxes across the U.S. accept packages, though size restrictions apply and packages are held for 10 business days maximum.
In This Section
- How To Ship Perishable Food
- How To Ship Frozen Food
- How To Ship Books
- How To Ship Liquids
- How To Ship A Monitor
- Ship Media Mail From Home
- How To Ship A PC
For more information, see our complete guide: how to ship a package.
Shipping to PO boxes serves millions of customers who rely on these secure mailboxes for privacy, convenience, and reliable package delivery. With USPS managing over 21 million PO boxes nationwide and 14.4 million Americans actively using them, understanding PO box shipping requirements is essential for ecommerce businesses and individual shippers. Understanding PO box shipping requirements is essential for ecommerce businesses and individual shippers alike — carriers enforce distinct rules that directly affect how ecommerce shipping workflows must be configured to avoid failed deliveries to these addresses.
USPS handles all direct PO box deliveries, while UPS Ground Saver provides an alternative option through USPS partnership for final delivery. Recent 2026 rate increases affect shipping costs, with Priority Mail up 6.6% and USPS Ground Advantage up 7.8%, making discounted shipping platforms like ParcelPath increasingly valuable for cost-conscious shippers. For more ways to reduce shipping expenses, explore our guide to 7 Miscellaneous Shipping Tips to Save Money in 2026.
What Carriers Can Ship to PO Boxes?
USPS serves as the primary carrier for PO box deliveries, handling all domestic services including Ground Advantage, First-Class Mail, Priority Mail, and Priority Mail Express. UPS Ground Saver offers the only alternative option by partnering with USPS for final-mile delivery to PO boxes.
FedEx Ground Economy (formerly FedEx SmartPost) also delivers to PO boxes through USPS partnership, similar to UPS Ground Saver. However, standard UPS and FedEx services cannot deliver directly to PO box addresses since they require physical street addresses for their delivery networks. For detailed information about FedEx PO box delivery options, check our comprehensive carrier comparison guide.
Mini Q&A:
- Q: Can UPS deliver to a PO box? A: No, standard UPS services cannot deliver to PO boxes. Only UPS Ground Saver can deliver through USPS partnership.
- Q: Does FedEx ship to PO boxes? A: FedEx Ground Economy ships to PO boxes via USPS, but standard FedEx Express and Ground services do not.
How Do You Address a Package to a PO Box?
Proper PO box addressing follows a specific format that ensures successful delivery through USPS processing systems. The recipient’s name appears first, followed by the PO box number, then the complete city, state, and ZIP code information.
Here’s the correct addressing format for PO box shipments:
- Write the recipient’s full name on the first line, including middle initial if known
- Add the company or organization name on the second line (if applicable)
- Write “PO Box” followed by the 2-5 digit box number on the third line
- Include the complete city, state, and ZIP code on the final line
Never include street address information when shipping to a PO box, as this can confuse automated sorting systems and delay delivery. The PO box number serves as the complete delivery address within that postal facility.
What Are the Size Limits for PO Box Packages?
USPS operates five standard PO box sizes: X-Small, Small, Medium, Large, and X-Large. Packages exceeding the rented box dimensions get held at the post office counter for customer pickup within 10 business days before returning to sender.
Many PO box locations provide 24/7 access for retrieving mail and small packages that fit directly in the box. Larger packages requiring counter pickup are only available during post office business hours, which vary by location but typically range from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays. Understanding UPS box sizes and prices can help you select appropriately sized packaging that fits within standard PO box dimensions, and reviewing our guide to Shipping Specific Items can provide additional guidance when your shipment has unique size or handling requirements.
PO Box Si
FAQ: How to Ship to a PO Box Can UPS deliver to a PO box?No, standard UPS services cannot deliver to PO boxes. Only UPS Ground Saver can deliver to PO boxes by partnering with USPS for final-mile delivery. All other UPS services require physical street addresses. What carriers ship to PO boxes?USPS delivers all domestic services to PO boxes, including Ground Advantage, First-Class, Priority Mail, and Priority Mail Express. UPS Ground Saver and FedEx Ground Economy also deliver through USPS partnerships. How long does USPS hold packages at PO boxes?USPS holds oversized packages that don’t fit in PO boxes for 10 business days before returning them to the sender. Recipients must pick up these packages at the post office counter during business hours. Can you track packages shipped to PO boxes?Yes, you can track packages to PO boxes, but status updates may be delayed until the recipient retrieves the package. Tracking shows “delivered” when the package reaches the post office, not when it’s picked up from the box. How much does it cost to ship to a PO box in 2026?PO box shipping costs increased in 2026, with Priority Mail up 6.6% (see current USPS pricing), USPS Ground Advantage up 7.8%, and Priority Mail Express up 5.1%. ParcelPath offers discounts up to 89% below retail Post Office rates. What’s the largest package size that fits in a PO box?X-Large PO boxes measure approximately 11″ x 22.5″ and accommodate the largest packages. Any package exceeding the rented box dimensions gets held at the post office counter for pickup within 10 business days. Can international packages be shipped to PO boxes?Yes, USPS delivers international packages to PO boxes following the same addressing format. UPS Ground Saver can ship to some international PO boxes but requires recipient phone numbers and may have extended delivery times. Do Amazon packages deliver to PO boxes?Yes, Amazon delivers most packages to PO boxes through USPS, though same-day and release-date delivery options may not be available. Amazon Prime works with most PO boxes across the United States. P.O. Box rentals are a separate cost category from package shipping — annual rental fees vary by box size and location, from lower rural rates to higher metro rates. For the full per-size and per-region rate breakdown of usps po box rentals at common box sizes, see our P.O. Box cost reference. P.O. Box destinations route through USPS only; for live rate quotes on USPS service tiers (Ground Advantage, Priority Mail, First-Class Package), our shipping calculator returns the rate by weight and destination zone — useful for shippers comparing tiers before checkout. Explore more in our Shipping Services and Solutions hub. Part of our USPS Locations guide. Related: USPS Locations and Access Points, Post Office Near Me, USPS Collection Box. To get the best rates for USPS and UPS, click here. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us. By: Parcel Path Editorial Team
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