Change a shipping address before your order ships

If your order has not yet left Amazon's warehouse, you can change the shipping address through your account. Log into Amazon, go to Your Orders, find the order you want to change, and select Change Shipping Address. You will see this option only if the order status shows Not Yet Shipped or Processing. Once you click it, Amazon shows you available addresses from your account or lets you enter a new one. The change takes effect immediately, but Amazon may have already started packing your item — if so, the option disappears and you will need to use a different method.

The window to change an address is usually 30 minutes to a few hours after you place the order, depending on how fast Amazon processes it. If you see the order is already in Shipped status, the address change option is gone. Prime orders move through the system faster than standard orders, so act quickly if you need to change the address on a Prime purchase.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change the shipping address only while the order status shows Not Yet Shipped or Processing — once it moves to Shipped, you cannot change it through Your Orders.
  • The fastest way is to log into Your Orders, find the item, and click Change Shipping Address directly on the order detail page.
  • If the address change option is not available, contact Amazon Customer Service by phone or chat — they can sometimes reroute packages even after they leave the warehouse.
  • If your package has already shipped and you cannot change the address, you can refuse delivery and have it returned, then reorder to the correct address.

What to do if the order has already shipped

Once Amazon marks your order as Shipped, you cannot change the address through Your Orders. At this point, contact Amazon Customer Service directly. You can reach them through the Contact Us link at the bottom of any Amazon page, or call the phone number listed in your account. Tell them the order number and the correct address. Amazon's carrier (usually UPS, FedEx, or USPS) may be able to intercept the package and redirect it, but this works only if the package has not yet reached the local delivery facility.

Interception is not may provide and depends on how far along the package is in transit. If the carrier cannot redirect it, Amazon will let you know. In that case, your options are to refuse the delivery when it arrives and request a return, or to accept it at the wrong address and arrange to pick it up or have someone else retrieve it.

Refuse delivery and reorder to the correct address

If your package is on its way to the wrong address and Amazon cannot redirect it, you can refuse delivery when the carrier arrives. Tell the driver you refuse the package, and it will be sent back to Amazon. Once Amazon receives and processes the return (usually 5 to 10 business days), the refund posts to your original payment method. You can then place a new order with the correct shipping address.

Refusing delivery works best if you catch it before the package reaches your local delivery area. If it has already been delivered to the wrong address, you will need to retrieve it from that location or ask the recipient to return it. Some neighbors or building managers will hold packages, but you have no legal claim to a package delivered to someone else's address.

Add a new address to your account before ordering

To avoid needing to change addresses later, add all the addresses you use regularly to your Amazon account. Go to Your Account, select Addresses, and click Add Address. Enter the full street address, city, state, and ZIP code. Amazon saves these addresses and shows them as options at checkout. When you place an order, you can pick any saved address without typing it in again.

If you move or need to use a temporary address, add it to your account as soon as possible. You can also delete old addresses you no longer use. Having multiple addresses on file makes checkout faster and reduces the chance of shipping to the wrong location by mistake.

Use Amazon Logistics or hold at pickup location

Some Amazon orders ship through Amazon Logistics, Amazon's own delivery service, rather than UPS or FedEx. With Amazon Logistics orders, you sometimes have the option to hold the package at an Amazon Hub or locker instead of having it delivered to your address. Check your order tracking page to see if this option is available. If it is, you can select a nearby pickup location, and the driver will leave your package there instead of at your door.

Amazon Hubs are located in grocery stores, pharmacies, and other retail locations in many cities. If you know you will not be home or want to pick up your order yourself, this can be a safer option than having it sit on your porch. The package is held for up to three days, and you receive a code to open the locker or retrieve it from the counter.

Contact Amazon Customer Service for other situations

If your order involves a gift, a business address, an international location, or a special circumstance, contact Amazon Customer Service directly. Some address changes require manual review, especially if the new address is in a different state or country. Customer Service can also help if you entered the address incorrectly at checkout and did not notice until after the order processed.

You can reach Amazon Customer Service through the Contact Us page in your account, by phone, or through the Amazon app. Have your order number ready. Response times vary — phone support is usually fastest, while chat and email may take several hours to a day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the address on an order that is already out for delivery?

Once the package is out for delivery, you cannot change the address. Your options are to refuse delivery and request a return, or to accept it and arrange to retrieve it from the wrong location. Contact Amazon Customer Service immediately if you want to refuse it — they can note your account so the driver knows not to leave it.

What if I entered the apartment number wrong?

If you entered the wrong apartment or suite number, try to change it through Your Orders while the order is still processing. If that is not possible, contact Amazon Customer Service right away with the correct apartment number. They may be able to add a note to the delivery instructions so the driver delivers to the right unit.

Can I change the address to a different person's house?

Yes, you can change the address to any location you own or have permission to use. You cannot change it to someone else's address without their knowledge, as that would constitute mail theft. If you want to send a gift to someone else, place a new order with their address at checkout instead.

How long do I have to change the address before it ships?

The window is usually 30 minutes to a few hours, depending on how quickly Amazon processes the order. Prime orders move faster than standard orders. Check your order status regularly — once it shows Shipped, you can no longer change the address through Your Orders.

Will changing the address delay my delivery?

Changing the address before the order ships usually does not cause a delay. If Amazon has to reroute a package that has already shipped, there may be a delay of one to three days depending on the carrier and how far the package has traveled.