Can I ship a package to a Post Office for the buyer to pick up?

The rules

“allows mailpieces to be held at a designated Post Office location for pick up by a specified addressee or designee.”

“The addressee or designee must provide an acceptable primary form of identification as specified under 608.10.3.”

DMM 507.3.2.1 also says USPS emails or texts the addressee when the Post Office has their contact information, makes a second notice if the package isn't picked up within 5 days (3 for Priority Mail Express), and “returns the item to the sender if not picked up within 15 days (5 days for Priority Mail Express).” (DMM 507.3.2.1)

“USPS will hold packages for up to 15 days, depending on the service selected (5 days for Priority Mail Express®).”

“This service provides the shipper with tracking information, including the date and time that the addressee took possession of the item.”

Which labels can use it

“for Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, and USPS Ground Advantage – Retail, using USPS Click-N-Ship.”

Postage for a Hold For Pickup label can be paid through Click-N-Ship, as a registered user of a USPS-approved PC Postage product, by permit imprint, or with an approved postage meter and a Hold For Pickup label (DMM 507.3.1.1). Whether a particular label service offers the option is up to that service.

Extra services you can add

DMM 507.3.2.5 allows Hold For Pickup with USPS Tracking, insurance, Signature Confirmation, Adult Signature Required and Adult Signature Restricted Delivery, COD and Package Intercept. The pickup itself already needs ID:

“The addressee must show an acceptable primary ID with a clear photo.”

For Priority Mail Express, the package is “available for pickup by the addressee at the destination facility by 6 p.m. of the scheduled delivery day that the destination office is open for retail business.” (DMM 113.4.2.4)

When it makes sense for a seller

• The buyer is rarely home for a package that needs a signature (what happens otherwise).
• A valuable item you'd rather not leave on a doorstep; the tracking shows when the buyer took it.
• An age-restricted item: add Adult Signature, and the clerk checks ID at the counter.
• Already shipped? Package Intercept can send it to the destination Post Office as Hold For Pickup instead, for $19.45 if USPS catches it, plus new postage.

Agree on the Post Office with the buyer first, and give them the tracking number. A Hold For Pickup label carries the buyer's name and the designated Post Office's address (DMM 507.3.3).

Worked example