Package Pickup & Pickup on Demand®

General Information

The Postal Service has three different options for pickup of outgoing mail.

• Pickup on Demand® is perfect for when you need to have mail picked up on a specific date in a specific timeframe. A pickup fee is charged per trip, regardless of the number of items scheduled for pickup. 

• Package Pickup allows you to schedule a free pickup for the next delivery day or a designated day. 

• Collection Service refers to prepaid mail deposited in a collection box or prepaid mail customers hand directly to a letter carrier or other postal employee.

How does it work?

Package Pickup & Pickup on Demand allow you to request a package pickup:

• Package Pickup is a free (regardless of the number of items scheduled for pickup), next delivery day (or designated delivery day) service. 
• Pickup on Demand allows you to schedule a specific time of day for a package pickup, for a fee. 
• You can schedule pickups Monday - Saturday until 4:59 AM local time on the day of the pickup. After 5:00 AM local time, same-day pickup is not available.
• Package Pickup can occur at any time on the scheduled date. Pickup on Demand should be within one hour of the scheduled pickup time on the schedule date.
• You can edit or cancel a scheduled pickup request until 4:59 AM local on the day of the pickup.
• Individual items cannot exceed 70 pounds or 130 inches in total length and girth.

Schedule your Package Pickup or Pickup on Demand here.
 

What is eligible for pickup?

Your letter carrier can pick up packages with prepaid postage and/or return merchandise using the following services:

• Priority Mail Express® - the service commitment varies based on the time the item is mailed, where it is deposited, and the destination.
  • Due to the different cutoff times for each Post Office™ facility as well as different letter carrier schedules:
    • If you want the Priority Mail Express guarantee for a specific mailing, the item(s) must be presented to an acceptance employee at an actual Post Office location.
    • You will need to contact your local Post Office for guarantee details in your area (including estimations on whether or not Priority Mail Express items picked up using Package Pickup or otherwise given to a letter carrier will meet the cutoff time for that day).
• Priority Mail® 
• USPS Ground Advantage®
• Returns
• International 
  
  • Priority Mail Express International® 
  • Priority Mail International® 
  • First-Class Package International Service® 

Limitations on what can be picked up

• Hazardous materials must meet all packaging, labeling, and other United States Postal Service® mailability standards in the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) or International Mail Manual (IMM®) as applicable. This includes items that contain anything fragile without proper packaging or liquid items. 
• Size limitations:
  • 70 pounds
  • 130 inches in total length and girth
• The following items must be presented by the customer to an employee at a retail counter at a Post Office™ location:
  • Mailpieces weighing more than 10 oz. or more than 1/2-inch in thickness bearing postage stamps for postage must be presented by the customer to an employee at a retail counter at a Post Office™ location.
  • International mailpieces that require a customs declaration form and bear postage stamps must be presented by the customer to an employee at a retail service counter at a Post Office location.
  • International mailpieces, including mail destined to APO/FPO/DPO addresses, with a customs declaration form that was not completed online (e.g., using Click-N-Ship® application) must be presented by the customer to an employee at a retail service counter at a Post Office location.
• For more detailed information about what can be mailed, customers should reference the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®), which is available online at USPS.com® (pe.usps.com).

Package pickup postage 

Sufficient postage must be properly applied to your mailpiece(s) before the pickup. You can purchase postage online using the Click-N-Ship®, PC Postage®, or Postage Meters. Postage stamps may be used on an item weighing 10 oz or less or 1/2-inch in thickness or less. However, mailpieces weighing more than 10 oz or more than 1/2-inch in thickness and bearing postage stamps for postage must be presented by the customer to an employee at a retail counter at a Post Office location.

• What are the valid methods to prepay postage?

• Postage stamps (provided the item weighs 10 oz or less and 1/2-inch in thickness or less)
• Postage meter imprint
• PC Postage® products
• Online Click-N-Ship® labels with postage (Pickup can be scheduled in the Click-N-Ship application)
• Prepaid Priority Mail® Flat Rate envelope
• Return Items – like Parcel Return Service – are prepaid 

• Does the letter carrier have to verify postage?

 
Scheduling a pickup

• Can I request pickup on a holiday or weekend?

• How far in advance can I schedule a pickup?

• When I scheduled a pickup, why was my address modified from what I entered?

• Why is my login required for future and repeat requests?

• Can I arrange for a scheduled pickup (daily, weekly, monthly)?

• How can I extend my scheduled Package Pickup request?

• What if the average package volume or weight fluctuates in my pickup?

• What if my package volume or weight increases for a specific date in my pickup request?

If it is the same day as the scheduled pickup, you must call your local Post Office™. If it is before the scheduled day of pickup, you can login to edit the package details for a specific date. Once you login, select the edit link and the specific date that you would like to modify. You will need to follow the screen prompts to modify the package volume or weight. To edit a next day pickup, select the edit cancel button at Package Pickup.

Where do I leave item(s) for pickup?

When you request a pickup, you will be required to select the package location. Possible locations may include: In/At Mailbox, On the Porch, Front Door, Back Door, Side Door, Knock on Door/Ring Bell, Mail Room, Office, Reception, Other.

Notes:  Depending on the area, some additional restrictions may apply:

• For residents of multi-story buildings, please bring your package(s) to a ground level, secured location for pickup.
• Letter Carriers may use their discretion when picking up packages.
  • Hazards such as snow, ice, obstructed pathways and dogs may prevent the letter carrier from collecting packages.

Confirmation Notices

• How do I know if my mailpiece was successfully picked up?

• Do I need to keep my confirmation notice?

Can I modify or cancel my pickup request?

Note: You must modify or cancel before 5:00 am local time the day of the scheduled pickup.

• How do I modify a scheduled pickup?
  1. Navigate to the Schedule a Pickup application under "Quick Tools" or "Send"
  2. Click "Modify an Existing Pickup"
  3. Enter your confirmation number and email address or phone number 
  4. Click "Edit Pickup"
  5. Edit the information necessary for modification 
  6. Check the agreement box 
  7. Click "Save"
  8. A confirmation page will be displayed with the update and confirmation number.
  9. An email will be sent to you with the updated change confirmation
• How do I cancel a scheduled pickup?
  1. Navigate to the Schedule a Pickup application under "Quick Tools" or "Send"
  2. Click "Modify an Existing Pickup" 
  3. Enter your confirmation number and email address or phone number 
  4. Click "Edit Pickup" 
  5. Scroll down and click "Cancel this Scheduled Pickup"
  6. Click "Yes" to confirm you want to cancel the pickup
  7. A confirmation page will be displayed with the cancellation and confirmation number
  8. An email will be sent to you with the cancellation confirmation   
• How do I modify a scheduled pickup from my Activity History/Account?
  • Option 1
    1. Sign in to your account
    2. Click "Activity History" from the left navigation 
    3. Find the last scheduled pickup of your request from the list of previous orders and click "View Details"
    4. Click "Edit" and the system will take you to the Schedule a Pickup page with your scheduled pickup(s) for that request.
    5. Select the pickup(s) you wish to change and select "Edit Pickups"
    6. Edit the information necessary for modification 
    7. Check the agreement box 
    8. Click "Save"
    9. A confirmation page will be displayed with the update and confirmation number(s). Your confirmation number(s) will also be located in the details of your Activity History
  • Option 2
    1. Sign in to your account
    2. Click "Package Pickup Requests" from the left navigation 
    3. Select the desired pickup location from the dropdown list 
    4. Select the pickup request you wish modify and click "View Details"
    5. Select the pickup(s) you wish to change and select "Edit Pickups"
    6. Edit the information necessary for modification 
    7. Check the agreement box 
    8. Click "Save"
    9. A confirmation page will be displayed with the update and confirmation number(s). Your confirmation number(s) will also be located in the details of your Activity History
• How do I cancel a scheduled pickup from my Activity History/Account?
  • Option 1
    1. Sign in to your account 
    2. Click "Activity History" from the left navigation
    3. Find the last scheduled pickup of your request from the list of previous orders and click "View Details"
    4. Click "Edit" and the system will take you to the Schedule a Pickup page with your scheduled pickup(s) for that request 
    5. Select the pickup(s) you wish to cancel and click "Cancel Pickups"
    6. Click "Yes" to confirm you want to cancel the pickup(s) 
    7. A confirmation page will be displayed with the cancellation and confirmation number(s). Your confirmation number(s) will also be located in the details of your Activity History
  • Option 2
    1. Sign in to your account 
    2. Click "Package Pickup Requests" from the left navigation 
    3. Select the desired pickup location from the dropdown list 
    4. Select the pickup request you wish to cancel and click"View Details"
    5. Select the pickup(s) you wish to cancel and click "Cancel Pickups"
    6. Click "Yes" to confirm you want to cancel the pickup(s) 
    7. A confirmation page will be displayed with the cancellation and confirmation number(s). Your confirmation number(s) will also be located in the details of your Activity History.

Additional Information

• Can I track or confirm the status of delivery for picked up mailpieces online?

• Can I remove a package from my scheduled pickup list?

• How do I find the fees for Pickup on Demand?

Fees are listed in Notice 123, under Domestic – Other Services and Fees. See also What Forms of Payment are Accepted?. 
 

• Do I need to be present for pickup?

• For questions about your Package Pickup or Pickup on Demand request, (including confirmation notices not received) contact your local Post Office™ facility.