How to Reroute a USPS or UPS Package


How to Reroute a USPS or UPS Package There are many reasons why you may need to redirect a package: you happen to be out of town when your package is supposed to arrive, the sender has written your address incorrectly, you’ve moved but the package is addressed to your old address, etc. Luckily, the USPS and UPS allow their customers to reroute packages before they are delivered. Let’s figure out what you need to do to have a USPS or UPS package redirected.


How to Reroute a USPS Package


The USPS (United States Postal Service) has a service named USPS Package Intercept that allows the sender or recipient to redirect a package or stop delivery altogether. It should be mentioned, however, that only certain types of packages are eligible for the service. You can reroute most domestic packages that have a tracking/extra service barcode and whose combined length and girth does not exceed 108 inches.

As we’ve already mentioned in the previous paragraph, USPS Package Intercept can be used by both the sender and the recipient. However, the only way to have your package rerouted is to do it online using your USPS.com account, so if you don’t have one, you should sign up for USPS.com first. It’s a quick and easy process that won’t take more than a few minutes.

If you have a USPS.com account, log in and submit an intercept request. Keep in mind that you cannot have your package rerouted to a new home address; it can be redirected either to the original sender or to your local Post Office where it will be held for pickup. While you’re at it, you can purchase insurance and additional services such as Signature Confirmation if you want.

Package Intercept isn’t free, so once the request is submitted, you will be provided an estimated total (Package Intercept fee plus estimated postage is applicable). As of March 2023, the intercept fee was $17. The USPS will then attempt to intercept and reroute your package, but there is no guarantee of success.

If and when your package gets intercepted and rerouted (by the way, all intercepted items are rerouted as Priority Mail even if they were originally sent using First-Class Mail or Priority Mail Express), your credit card will be charged the intercept fee plus additional postage if applicable. Keep in mind that the actual postage may turn out greater than estimated and will be charged accordingly. The Package Intercept fee is non-refundable but it is never applied if the package was not intercepted.


How to Reroute a UPS Package


The option of rerouting an inbound package is available only to UPS My Choice members. UPS My Choice is a program that allows UPS customers to get more visibility into their shipments: view all details for their outgoing and incoming packages, receive delivery updates, track multiple packages, etc. You can sign up for the service and use its basic features for free, but Premium membership ($19.99 per year as of March 2023) offers more features at no additional cost. Keep in mind that package rerouting is not a basic feature.

So, to redirect a UPS package, you first need to create a UPS.com account and enable UPS My Choice. When you’re all set up, log in to your account and go to the My Choice dashboard. Once there, select Your Package and click on Delivery Options (if this option is unavailable, it has been restricted by the shipper). To redirect your package to a different address (including a UPS Access Point location), follow the prompts.

As of March 2023, it cost $5.99 to redirect a package to a UPS Access Point location and $14.99 to reroute a package to another address for basic (free) My Choice members. Premium (paid) My Choice members can reroute their inbound packages for no additional fee.

If you’re the sender, you can redirect a package you’ve sent using UPS Delivery Intercept. Just like USPS Package Intercept, this service allows to have packages returned to the sender or rerouted to another address. It is available for deliveries within the United States and Puerto Rico.

To request an intercept, log in to your UPS.com account and view the list of your packages. Select the package from the list, choose the delivery option, and provide the required information before submitting your request. UPS Delivery Intercept may be subject to fees, but you won’t be charged anything until your request is completed. Please note that you cannot request an intercept after the first delivery attempt was made.