Can you ship to a PO Box, and what if the address has a street too?
Yes, USPS delivers to PO Boxes, but when an address shows both a street address and a PO Box, USPS delivers to the one on the line just above the city, state and ZIP Code, or to the PO Box if both are on the same line.
Private carriers can deliver to a PO Box only when the box holder has USPS's Street Addressing option, which writes the box as the Post Office's street address plus # and the box number.
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The rule, in USPS's words
“is delivered to the address immediately above the city and state (or to the Post Office box if both the street address and Post Office box are on the same line).”
“If a ZIP+4 code or 5-digit ZIP Code is used, it must correspond to the address element immediately above the city and state”
“Customers who choose to use the street addressing designation also have the option of receiving packages from private carriers at the customer’s Post Office Box address”
“Only mail and official USPS notices may be placed into a PO box.”
“(“PO Box” is used incorrectly if preceding a private box number, e.g., a college mailroom.)”
Which address line USPS uses
| Address on the label | USPS delivers to |
|---|---|
| Jane Doe / 123 Main St / PO Box 45 / Anytown ST 12345 | PO Box 45 (the line above the city) |
| Jane Doe / PO Box 45 / 123 Main St / Anytown ST 12345 | 123 Main St |
| Jane Doe / 123 Main St PO Box 45 / Anytown ST 12345 | PO Box 45 (both on one line) |
| Jane Doe / 123 Main Street #4567 / Anytown ST 12345 (Street Addressing) | box 4567 at that Post Office; private carriers can deliver here too |
Edge cases
- The ZIP must match the delivery line: the ZIP Code has to be the one for the line just above the city and state, and the same rule applies to return addresses (DMM 602.2.1).
- Street Addressing limits: private-carrier packages to a PO Box must still meet USPS mailability limits such as 70 lb and 130 in. length plus girth (DMM 508.4.5.4), though the $200.00 overweight fee doesn't apply to that feature (DMM 601.1.2.2).
- Private mailboxes: "PO Box" is wrong in front of a private box number, such as a college mailroom (DMM 602.1.4.2).
- Signature on file: competitive PO Box holders can keep a signature on file for Priority Mail Express, mail insured over $500 and Signature Confirmation items (DMM 508.4.5.4).
- Military addresses follow their own format (APO/FPO/DPO rules).
What to do
- Put the line you want used directly above the city, state and ZIP, and use the ZIP Code for that line.
- If a buyer's address has both a street and a PO Box, check the order before you print the label.
- Ship by a USPS service unless the buyer's box has Street Addressing.
Questions
Can UPS or FedEx deliver to a PO Box?
Only to a box whose holder uses USPS's Street Addressing option at a competitive PO Box location, with the box written as the Post Office's street address plus #box (DMM 508.4.5.4).
Which address does USPS use if there are two?
The one immediately above the city and state, or the PO Box if both are on the same line (DMM 602.2.1).
Sources
Rates verified on from each official page below.
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