Change your address before the order ships, or after delivery in limited cases
You can change the shipping address on an Amazon order only if the order hasn't entered the carrier's delivery network yet. Once Amazon hands the package to UPS, FedEx, USPS, or another carrier, the address is locked and you cannot change it through your account. If the order has already shipped, your options are to refuse delivery and have it returned, or to contact the carrier directly to attempt a redirect — though most carriers charge a fee or cannot may provide success.
The window to change an address is usually a few hours after you place the order, but it depends on the item's location and how quickly Amazon processes it. Some items ship same-day or next-day, which means the address-change window closes very fast. The fastest way to know whether you can still change it is to open your order and look for an "Edit Delivery Address" button — if it's there, you can change it. If it's gone, the order has shipped.
Key Takeaways
- You can only change the address before Amazon transfers the package to a carrier; once it ships, the address is locked in your account.
- The "Edit Delivery Address" button appears in your order details if the change is still possible; if the button is missing, the order has already shipped.
- If the package has shipped, you can refuse delivery to have it returned, then place a new order with the correct address.
- For packages already in transit, contact the carrier (UPS, FedEx, USPS) directly to request a redirect, though fees and success rates vary.
- Changing your default address in account settings does not change addresses on orders already placed.
Steps to change the address before shipment
Open the Amazon app or website and go to Your Orders. Find the order you want to change and select it to open the order details page. Look for a button or link that says "Edit Delivery Address" or "Change Address". If you see this button, click it.
A window will appear showing your current address and a field to enter a new one. Type in the correct address, including street, city, state, and ZIP code. Amazon will show you a list of matching addresses as you type — select the one that matches where you want the package to go. Click "Confirm" or "Save" to lock in the change. You will see a confirmation message, and the order details page will now show the new address.
If the "Edit Delivery Address" button does not appear, the order has already shipped and you cannot change it through your account. Stop here and move to the section below about what to do after shipment.
What happens if the order has already shipped
Once Amazon has handed the package to the carrier, the address cannot be changed in your Amazon account. You have two main options: refuse the delivery so it returns to Amazon, or contact the carrier to ask them to redirect it.
Refusing delivery is the simpler route. When the carrier attempts delivery, tell the driver you refuse the package or mark it as "Return to Sender" if it arrives while you are not home. The package will go back to Amazon, and you can then place a new order with the correct address. This takes longer overall — the return trip can take a week or more — but it guarantees the package comes back.
Contacting the carrier to redirect the package is faster if it works, but success is not may provide. Find the tracking number in your Amazon order, then contact the carrier directly: UPS (1-800-742-5877), FedEx (1-800-463-3339), or USPS (1-800-275-8777). Tell them the tracking number and ask if they can redirect the package to your new address. Many carriers allow this, but some charge a fee (typically $5 to $15), and some cannot redirect if the package is already out for delivery that day. The carrier will tell you whether it is possible before you pay.
Changing your default address for future orders
If you want to change the address Amazon uses for new orders going forward, update your account settings rather than individual orders. Go to Account in the top right of the Amazon website, then select "Your Account". Choose "Addresses" or "Manage Addresses".
You will see a list of addresses saved to your account. Click "Edit" next to the address you want to change, update the street, city, state, or ZIP code, and click "Save". You can also add a new address by clicking "Add Address" and entering the full details. This change only affects orders you place after you save it — it does not change the address on orders you have already placed.
Why the address-change window closes so quickly
Amazon processes orders in batches, and the time between when you place an order and when it leaves the warehouse varies. Items stored in a nearby fulfillment center may ship within hours. Items that have to be transferred between warehouses or that come from a third-party seller may take longer. Once the warehouse staff scan the package and hand it to the carrier, Amazon's system removes the ability to edit the address because the carrier's system now controls the package location.
Prime members sometimes see faster processing, which means the address-change window closes sooner. Non-Prime orders and items marked "Ships from and sold by" a third-party seller may have a longer window, but this is not may provide. The only reliable way to know is to check your order immediately after placing it — if the edit button is there, you have time; if it is not, you do not.
Addresses Amazon will not accept
Amazon's address system will reject some entries, even if they are real places. The most common reason is that the address does not match the format in the carrier's database. Rural routes, PO boxes, and some apartment buildings sometimes cause problems. If you type an address and Amazon shows no matches or says the address is invalid, try entering it a different way: use the full street name instead of an abbreviation, spell out "North" instead of "N.", or include the apartment or unit number in a different field.
If Amazon still will not accept the address, you may need to use a nearby address that the system does recognize — a neighbor's house, a local business, or a package pickup location — and arrange to collect the package from there. Some carriers also offer package pickup at their local facilities if delivery to your address is not possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the address after the package is delivered to the wrong place?
No, but you can report the issue to Amazon and request a refund or replacement. Go to Your Orders, find the order, and click "Return or Replace Items". Select the reason as "Item delivered to wrong address" and follow the prompts. Amazon will usually refund you or send a replacement to the correct address.
What if I change the address but the package still goes to the old one?
This can happen if the carrier's system did not sync with Amazon's in time. Contact Amazon customer service with your order number and tracking number, and tell them the package went to the wrong address. They can file a claim with the carrier and usually issue a refund or replacement. Keep the package if it arrives at the old address — do not open it, as Amazon may ask you to return it.
Can I change the address on a pre-order or item that has not been released yet?
Yes, pre-orders and unreleased items usually have a longer window to change the address because they have not shipped yet. The edit button will appear in your order details. Once the item is released and ships, the address locks like any other order.
Does changing my address in my Amazon account settings change old orders?
No. Changing your default address only affects new orders you place after the change. Orders already in your account keep their original address. You must edit each order individually if you want to change addresses on orders that have not yet shipped.
What if the carrier says they cannot redirect my package?
Ask the carrier whether you can refuse delivery instead, which will send it back to Amazon. Once it arrives back at the warehouse, contact Amazon and place a new order with the correct address. This takes longer but ensures the package reaches you.