Does Amazon Deliver to PO Boxes? Your Complete Guide

Yes—Amazon does ship to U.S. PO boxes, but only if your order will be shipped by USPS. Locked mail slots are out of reach of private carriers UPS and FedEx, so non-USPS or large packages will be held at the post office for pickup. Read on to learn how it works, where exceptions are allowed, and clever alternatives when your box won’t work.

Table of Contents

• How PO Box Shipping Works on Amazon
• Carrier Breakdown: USPS vs. FedEx & UPS
• Restrictions & Special Cases
• Alternative Delivery Solutions
• Pro Tips for Smooth PO Box Delivery
• Wrapping Up Our Findings
• Frequently Asked Questions

How PO Box Shipping Works on Amazon

When you pay and checkout, Amazon’s program automatically picks the quickest qualifying carrier. If your package is designated as shipping in USPS—or Amazon fulfilled and shipped through the Postal Service—it will ship directly into your PO box. If seller defaults to UPS or FedEx, those will not be accessible in PO boxes. Always check shipping dropdown and choose USPS when that is an option.

Carrier Breakdown: USPS vs. FedEx & UPS

The US Postal Service has exclusive rights to PO box delivery—its carriers are able to open and sort mail into locked boxes. FedEx and UPS trucks do not have key access, so they never deliver those. If you need a private-carrier delivery to your box, visit your local post office and sign up for their free “Street Address” service to seep non-USPS packages into the building for pickup.

Restrictions & Special Cases

Bulky & Oversized Items

Packages that won’t fit into your box are labeled as “oversized.” USPS holds them at the counter and posts a notice in your box—no damage, no squeezing.

Expedited & Prime Deliveries

Same-Day, 2-Day, and Amazon Day shipments often run on Amazon’s own fleet or private shippers. Since those carriers can’t handle PO boxes, Amazon simply reroutes qualifying orders through USPS if you’ve provided a PO box address.

Military (APO/FPO/DPO) Addresses

APO. FPO., and DPO box mailings are the same as domestic PO boxes through USPS. Enter “APO,” “FPO,” or “DPO” as city, select the proper military state code (AA, AE, AP), and select “United States” as country. Some things are forbidden—like certain electronics—and can’t ship overseas because of security issues.

Alternative Delivery Solutions

• Amazon Hub Lockers: Retail or transit point self-service kiosks permit you to retrieve parcels 24/7 whenever your PO box is too compact or inaccessible.
• USPS Smart Lockers: Keyless USPS kiosks at certain destinations for safe collection without slips or standing in lines.
• Virtual Mailbox Services: Businesses like Anytime Mailbox and iPostal1 give you real street addresses—scan or forward mail as you stipulate.

Pro Tips for Smooth PO Box Delivery

• Type “PO Box 1234” in field as instructed, city, state, and ZIP into their corresponding slots to avoid format errors.
• If FedEx/UPS only shows, switch to a USPS-shipped listing or ask the seller to ship via USPS.
• On bulk or heavy shipments, expect pickup notice at the counter rather than a slip in your box.
• Sign up for the post office’s Street Address program to allow FedEx/UPS delivery—but classify it non-residential under USPS rules.

Wrapping Up Our Findings

PO boxes remain a rock-solid way to keep your mail secure, and Amazon’s USPS partnership covers most orders without a hitch. Recognize the limits of private carriers, plan for oversized packages, and tap into locker and virtual mailbox options when your box just won’t cut it. With these steps, you’ll turn any PO box into a seamless hub for your Amazon shopping.

Frequently Asked Questions