You can change your delivery address on most Amazon orders, but only before the package ships

Amazon lets you change where a package goes if you catch it before the carrier picks it up from the warehouse. Once the order status changes to "Shipped," the address is locked and you cannot alter it through your account. The window to make changes is usually a few hours to a day after you place the order, depending on how quickly Amazon processes it.

If your order has already shipped, you have other options — but they involve either refusing the package or redirecting it after it leaves Amazon's hands. This guide explains what you can do at each stage and what to expect from each route.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change the address in your Amazon account only while the order status shows "Processing" or "Pending" — once it says "Shipped," the address is locked.
  • The fastest way to change an address is to go to Your Orders, find the order, and select "Change Address" if that button appears.
  • If the order has already shipped, you can refuse delivery and have it returned, then place a new order with the correct address.
  • For packages already in transit, some carriers (UPS, FedEx) allow you to redirect delivery to a different address or hold it for pickup, but Amazon does not handle this — you contact the carrier directly.
  • Changing the address after shipment may delay delivery by several days and could result in the package being returned to Amazon instead.

How to change the address before the order ships

Open your Amazon account and go to Your Orders. Find the order you want to change and look for a button or link that says "Change Address" or "Edit Delivery Address". If that button is present, click it, enter the new address, and confirm the change. Amazon will update the shipping label before the package leaves the warehouse.

If you do not see the "Change Address" button, the order has already entered the shipping queue and you cannot modify it through your account. This typically happens within a few hours of placing the order, especially for items that ship from nearby fulfillment centers or are in high stock.

After you change the address, check your email for a confirmation from Amazon. The confirmation will show the new delivery address and an updated estimated delivery date. Do not assume the change went through without this email — if you do not receive it within 10 minutes, go back to Your Orders and verify the address was updated.

What to do if the order has already shipped

Once Amazon marks the order as "Shipped," you cannot change the address through your account. At this point, you have two main options: refuse the delivery and reorder, or attempt to redirect the package with the carrier.

The simplest approach is to refuse delivery when the package arrives. Tell the delivery driver you do not accept it, or use the carrier's app or website to refuse it before it reaches your door. The package will be returned to Amazon, and you can then place a new order with the correct address. This adds 5 to 10 days to your total delivery time, but it guarantees the package goes where you want it.

Before you refuse delivery, make sure you understand Amazon's return window for that item. If the order is outside the return period, refusing it may complicate getting a refund. Check the order details for the return deadline before you take action.

Redirecting a package with the carrier after shipment

If the carrier is UPS, FedEx, or USPS, you may be able to redirect the package without refusing it entirely. Each carrier has its own process and charges a fee (usually $5 to $15) to change the delivery address or hold the package for pickup.

UPS: Go to the UPS tracking page, enter your tracking number, and look for "Delivery Options." You can redirect to a different address, hold at a UPS location, or delay delivery. You will need to create or log into a UPS account.

FedEx: Use FedEx Delivery Manager to access the same options. You can change the address, hold for pickup, or request a specific delivery time. FedEx charges a fee for address changes on most packages.

USPS: Use Informed Delivery to hold mail or packages at your local post office. Address changes on USPS packages are more limited than UPS or FedEx, and the carrier may not allow a redirect to a completely different address.

To use any of these services, you need the tracking number, which Amazon emails to you when the order ships. The carrier's system will show you whether redirection is possible for your specific package — some items cannot be redirected once they leave the warehouse.

Why Amazon locks the address after shipment

Amazon cannot change the address after a package ships because the shipping label is already printed and in the carrier's system. The label contains a barcode that the carrier scans at every step, and changing the address would require a new label and new routing through the carrier's network.

This is why the window to change the address is so narrow — it closes the moment Amazon hands the package to the carrier. For items shipped from large fulfillment centers, this can happen within hours of placing the order.

Preventing address mistakes before you order

The easiest way to avoid this problem is to verify your address before you complete the purchase. On the Amazon checkout page, look at the delivery address field and make sure the street number, street name, apartment or unit number, city, state, and ZIP code are all correct. A single digit wrong in the ZIP code can send your package to the wrong city.

If you have multiple addresses saved in your Amazon account, double-check which one is selected before you click "Place Order." You can also add a note in the delivery instructions (available on some orders) to alert the driver to a specific detail — for example, "Apartment 3B, ring bell at side entrance."

For time-sensitive orders, consider using Amazon's One-Day or Same-Day Delivery options if available in your area. These ship so quickly that you have almost no window to change the address, so getting it right the first time is especially important.

What happens if a package goes to the wrong address

If your package arrives at an incorrect address and you did not refuse it, contact Amazon customer service immediately. Explain that the package was delivered to the wrong location due to an address error on your part or a carrier mistake. Amazon may send a replacement or issue a refund, depending on the item and your account history.

If a neighbor or someone else at the wrong address received your package, you can try to retrieve it from them directly. If that is not possible, Amazon's customer service team can sometimes help locate packages that were misdelivered, though success depends on whether the recipient reports it or the carrier can track it.

Do not assume the package is lost immediately. Delivery errors are common, and many packages are recovered. Give it 24 hours and then contact Amazon if it does not show up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the address if the order is already out for delivery?

No — once the package is with the delivery driver, Amazon cannot change it. Your only option is to refuse delivery when the driver arrives, or contact the carrier (UPS, FedEx, USPS) directly to see if they can redirect it. Carrier redirection may add a day or two and usually costs a fee.

What if I change the address but the package still goes to the old one?

Contact Amazon customer service with your order number and tracking number. Explain that you changed the address before shipment but the package was delivered to the original location. Amazon will investigate whether the change was processed and may send a replacement or refund depending on what happened.

Do I have to pay a fee to change my address?

No — changing the address through your Amazon account before shipment is free. If you redirect the package with the carrier after it ships, the carrier may charge a fee (typically $5 to $15). Refusing delivery and reordering is also free, but you lose time.

Can I change the address on a pre-order or future delivery?

Yes, usually. Pre-orders and items scheduled for future delivery typically stay in "Processing" status longer, giving you a wider window to change the address. Use the same "Change Address" button in Your Orders. Check your email to confirm the change went through.

What if the new address is in a different state or country?

If you change the address to a different state before shipment, Amazon will process it normally — most items ship to all US states. If you try to change it to a different country, Amazon will reject the change because the item may not be may be able to access for international shipping. You would need to cancel and place a new order with international shipping options if available.