Receive Mail & Packages | USPS (2024)

Receive Mail & Packages | USPS (1)

Enter a USPS Tracking® number in the search box to check the status of a package.

Track Your Package

Going out of town or want to change where your mail is delivered? Learn about all the ways to handle your incoming USPS® mail and packages and choose the best option.

Receive Mail & Packages | USPS (2)

Receive Mail & Packages | USPS (3)

Get Informed Delivery

Now both business and personal accounts can preview images* of mail and manage incoming packages on one dashboard without entering tracking numbers. From the Informed Delivery® dashboard, you can also sign up for text or email notifications, schedule delivery alerts, request Redelivery, enter USPS Delivery Instructions®, and more.

USPS Electronic Signature Online

Informed Delivery for personal accounts includes USPS Electronic Signature Online® (USPS eSOL®), a feature that allows you to digitally sign for incoming packages that require a signature including Priority Mail Express®, Signature Confirmation, and those insured for $500 or more. USPS carriers will leave your packages in your mailbox or at your preferred delivery location if they are too large to fit in your mailbox.

Get Started Nowwith Informed Delivery

*NOTE: Black and white (grayscale) images show the front of the outside of letter-sized envelopes and mailpieces that are processed through USPS® automated equipment.

Receive Mail & Packages | USPS (4)

Simple Ways to Manage Your Mail

Expand All

Standard Forward Mail & Change of Address

USPS is taking steps to increase security, combat identity theft, and further protect our customers' information. When you submit a change of address request online, you need to take additional steps to verify your identity:

  1. Opt in online to receive a verification code or link on your mobile phone OR go to a Post Office location with an acceptable photo ID to complete the identity verification process in person.
  2. Pay the $1.10 identity verification fee.

After your change of address request is approved, you'll get confirmation as well as instant access to valuable coupons provided by third-party retailers in your area. Your change of address request lasts for 12 months, but you can pay to extend it for 6, 12, or 18 more months.

Learn More about changing your address.

Premium Forwarding Mail

Taking a long vacation or an out-of-town assignment? For a weekly fee, you can have most mail sent to you each week with our Premium Forwarding Service Residential®. The temporary service is available for periods as short as 2 weeks and up to 1 year.

Learn More about Premium Forwarding Service Residential

Start Premium Forwarding

USPS Package Intercept

With USPS Package Intercept® service, you can redirect domestic packages, letters, and flats with a tracking or extra services barcode as long as the items have not yet been delivered or released for delivery. Either the sender or the recipient can request to have a shipment redirected as Priority Mail® back to the sender's address or to a Post Office™ location as a Hold For Pickup.

Learn More about USPS Package Intercept

Redirect a Package

Reserve a PO Box

Want to separate home and business mail or keep your address private? Reserving a PO Box™ is a great way to get your mail when and where you want it. PO Boxes are available in a range of costs and sizes. Just find one online near you, complete the application, pay with a credit card, and bring the printed form, your emailed receipt, and two IDs to the Post Office.

Reserve a PO Box

USPS Hold Mail

If you're going out of town for a while, you can submit a USPS Hold Mail® request online and we'll keep your mail safely at your local Post Office until you return. You can schedule the service up to 30 days in advance of your date or by 2 AM CST (Mon.–Sat.) on the start date.

For enhanced security, USPS now requires you to create or sign in to your USPS.com account to verify your identity and current address before submitting a new online USPS Hold Mail request.

Learn More about USPS Hold Mail service

Hold Your Mail

Hold For Pickup

Whether you’re shipping from a retail store or printing your own shipping label with postage, you can always elect to Hold For Pickup. Hold For Pickup allows the recipient to collect a package at the local Post Office. If you're the recipient and you'd like to redirect an incoming package to a Post Office for pickup, you can select Hold For Pickup using USPS Package Intercept®.

Get Started with Hold For Pickup

Schedule Redelivery Service

If we missed you when we tried to deliver your package or mail, you can get it redelivered by making a request online. Use the tracking barcode for your item and schedule Redelivery on a day that's more convenient for you. In select markets, recipients can also schedule Redelivery to a USPS® Smart Locker. If you have your tracking number, you can also schedule Redelivery via USPS Tracking®.

Schedule a Redelivery

USPS Delivery Instructions*

If your package doesn’t fit in your mailbox and you won’t be home to receive it, you can provide USPS Delivery Instructions online and authorize your carrier to leave it in a specified location. Just track your package and select “Delivery Instructions.” You can request that your package be left with a neighbor or held at a Post Office for pickup. For the cost of additional postage, you can have your package sent to a different domestic address. You can also change your shipping service option, upgrading to Priority Mail Express® service or Priority Mail® service, as well as add insurance and extra services.**

* Service is only available for packages sent domestically.
** Not available for packages sent to APO/FPO/DPO addresses. Other restrictions may apply.

Get Started with Delivery Instructions for your package

'); console.log(k);});$(".vdrawers .expandv").on('touch click',function(e){e.preventDefault();if ($(this).parents('.vdrawers').hasClass('active')){$(this).text('Expand All');$(this).parents('.vdrawers').removeClass('active');$(this).parents('.vdrawers').find('.v-tab div').removeClass('active');console.log('expand active - removing active');} else {$(this).text('Hide All');$(this).parents('.vdrawers').find('.v-tab div').addClass('active');$(this).parents('.vdrawers').addClass('active');console.log("expand not active - adding active");}});$('.vdrawers .v-tab div a').not('sup').on('click touch', function(e){console.log('Clicked on v-tab link');e.preventDefault();if($(window).width()>=767){console.log('desktop:start');$this = $(this).parents('.vdrawers');$this.find('.v-tab div.active').removeClass('active');$this.find('.v-tab-content div.active').removeClass('active');$(this).parent().addClass('active');$this.find('.v-tab-content div').eq($this.find('.v-tab div.active').index()).addClass('active');console.log('desktop:'+$this.html());console.log('desktop:end');$('html, body').animate({scrollTop: $(this).parents('.vdrawers').find('.v-tab-content div').eq($('.v-tab div.active').index()).offset().top}, 500);} else if ($(window).width()<767) {if ($(this).parent().hasClass('active')){$(this).parent().removeClass('active');$('html, body').animate({scrollTop: $(this).parent().offset().top}, 500);} else {$(this).parents('.vdrawers').find('.v-tab div.active').removeClass('active');$(this).parent().addClass('active');$('html, body').animate({scrollTop: $(this).parent().offset().top}, 500);}}});$('.lg-crd h3').not('sup').on('click touch', function(e){console.log('Clicked on faq');e.preventDefault();$(this).parent().parent().toggleClass('active');});$('span.expand').on('click touch', function(e){$this = $(this);$this.toggleClass('active');if ($this.hasClass('active')){$this.text('Hide All');$this.parents('.faq-section, .lg-txt-crd,.visible-expand').find('.lg-crd, .faq-unit,.expand-unit').addClass('active');}else{$this.text('Expand All');$this.parents('.faq-section, .lg-txt-crd,.visible-expand').find('.lg-crd, .faq-unit,.expand-unit').removeClass('active');}});//$('').append('...less');/*$('.expand-less, .expand-more').on('click touch', function(e){e.preventDefault();$(this).parents('.expand-unit').toggleClass('active');});*/$('.faq-unit>*:first-child,.expand-unit>*:first-child').not('sup').on('click touch', function(e){console.log('Clicked on faq');e.preventDefault();$(this).parent().toggleClass('active');});$('.expand-all').on('click touch', function(e){console.log('Expand all function')$this = $(this);$this.toggleClass('active');if ($this.hasClass('active')){$this.text('Hide All');$this.parents('.visible-expand').find('.expand-unit').addClass('active');}else{$this.text('Expand All');$this.parents('.visible-expand').find('.expand-unit').removeClass('active');}});$.each( $('.expand-unit *:nth-child(2)'), function(i){g = $(this).parent('.expand-unit').find('.expand-unit *:nth-child(2)').text();console.log(g) $(this).append(' Show More '+g+''); });$('.expand-unit .drawer:last-child').append('

Show Less

');$('.expand-less, .expand-more').on('click touch', function(e){e.preventDefault();$(this).parents('.expand-unit').toggleClass('active');});});document.forms["track-package--form"].action="https://tools.usps.com/go/TrackConfirmAction";

Receive Mail & Packages | USPS (2024)

FAQs

Does USPS deliver packages and mail together? ›

With others in your household. Mailbox - Packages may come separately from your regular mail; check again later in the day.

Will USPS pick up packages from my mailbox? ›

If you put a USPS postpaid return labeled package in your home mailbox with the flag up, will the mail carrier take it back, or must you take it back to the post office? He'll take it, but if it's a big package we highly reccomend you fill out the request form online for a free pickup.

Can you go to USPS and get your package? ›

For example, you can certainly ask that your packages held at your local post office (behind the counter) for you until you are able to pop down to the post office and pick it up yourself. There aren't a lot of postal employees in the USPS they're going to deny those kinds of requests.

Can I have something shipped to the post office instead of my house? ›

Yes - you (the addressee) have the option to send your eligible package to a different address or to a Post Office™ for pickup, but there is a postage fee.

Does USPS do double delivery? ›

The post office does not have 'set' days when they deliver twice in one day. This is a rare occurrence usually only happening if for some reason the carrier was unable to deliver mail to a certain part of the route the previous day. In that case you may receive 2 deliveries the next day.

Does USPS deliver packages to your door or mailbox? ›

USPS is the only package delivery service that uses the mail clusterboxes, in which the mail carrier should place the package inside the parcel box and provide the respective key to open it in your mailbox. The parcel boxes are the large mailbox doors located at the bottom of the box.

Can you leave packages in your mailbox for the mailman to take? ›

Always keep in mind that if your mailbox is big enough to accommodate any packages you are shipping out, you can leave those items in your mailbox for pick-up without scheduling with the USPS.

Can I give the mailman a package? ›

Mail carriers hate when you try to give them packages to mail. Former mail carrier Miguel Cairo told Insider that most mail carriers can't stand when people try to hand them outgoing packages at the door.

Will USPS take a package if I put it in my mailbox? ›

If your package is less than one-half inch thick and weighs less than 10oz, you can use postage stamps and drop off your package by: Putting it in your mailbox for carrier pickup. Dropping it in a blue collection box or Post Office lobby drop-off box. Requesting a free pickup.

Can I walk into USPS and get boxes? ›

You can purchase boxes and tubes of various sizes at most Post Offices. Select Priority Mail Express and Priority Mail boxes are available free at the Post Office for items sent using either of these services.

Can I pick up my mail at the post office instead of having it delivered? ›

You must present valid photo ID if you choose to pick up your mail item at the Post Office™ facility indicated on the notice . You also need to bring in the PS Form 3849 left by the Carrier. Find out what forms of identification are acceptable at the Post Office. Can a customer have someone else pickup their held mail?

How can I receive mail without an address? ›

P.O. boxes offer people a way to receive postal mail without having to tell senders where they live. Additionally, unlike most mailboxes, P.O. boxes are locked or require a code to access.

Can I use the Post Office as my address? ›

Can I use a post office (PO) box or temporary mailing address? You may use a PO box for your mailing address; however, you must provide a residence address when your COA includes your DL/ID card. Temporary mailing addresses are not allowed.

Can I get things delivered to a Post Office? ›

Common parcel collection questions

You can then choose to have your item delivered direct to one of 10,500 Post Office branches that offer the Local Collect service. Find one near you with our branch finder.

Does USPS combine packages? ›

Package Services parcels may be combined, at the mailer's option and when authorized by the USPS, in 5-digit scheme and 5-digit sacks or on 5-digit scheme and 5-digit pallets for entry either at a destination sectional center facility (DSCF) or a destination delivery unit (DDU).

Are parcels and letters delivered separately? ›

Your letters and parcels will generally be delivered separately. Special arrangements. This is most commonly buisinesses that pay more for an early delivery of all mail that has arrived by that point, with the remainder coming at the usual time. Some pay for multiple full deliveries (e.g. Parliament).

Why does my USPS package say out for delivery but mail already came? ›

It is possible for your package to say “out for delivery” even when it has been delivered, because the system sometimes takes time to update. That's why it is worth checking your mailbox and other safe hiding places even if your package does not say that it has been delivered.

Can I mail a package with USPS? ›

Send packages directly from your home (or office), using Click-N-Ship® service to do everything you need: Pay for postage, print shipping labels, and even Schedule a Pickup.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Kelle Weber

Last Updated:

Views: 5331

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (53 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Kelle Weber

Birthday: 2000-08-05

Address: 6796 Juan Square, Markfort, MN 58988

Phone: +8215934114615

Job: Hospitality Director

Hobby: tabletop games, Foreign language learning, Leather crafting, Horseback riding, Swimming, Knapping, Handball

Introduction: My name is Kelle Weber, I am a magnificent, enchanting, fair, joyous, light, determined, joyous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.