Change your address before checkout, or contact Amazon within hours of ordering

You can change your shipping address on Amazon in two ways, depending on when you realize the mistake. If you haven't checked out yet, edit the address in your cart or at the payment screen — this takes 30 seconds. If you've already placed the order, you have a narrow window: contact Amazon's customer service immediately, ideally within an hour or two of ordering. Amazon can change the address on some orders before they ship, but not all, and the window closes fast once the order enters the warehouse system.

The method you use depends on the order status. An order that hasn't shipped yet is changeable. An order that's already left the warehouse or is out for delivery cannot be redirected through your account — you'll need to refuse the package and reorder, or have it held at an Amazon Hub or delivery location if available.

Key Takeaways

  • Change your address before you complete checkout by editing it in your cart or at the payment screen — no order yet means no complications.
  • If you've already placed the order, call or message Amazon customer service within the first hour or two, before the order ships from the warehouse.
  • Once an order has shipped and left the warehouse, you cannot change the address through your account; you'll need to refuse delivery or reorder.
  • For future orders, set a default shipping address in your account settings so the correct address appears automatically at checkout.
  • If you use multiple addresses (home, work, family), save them all in your address book so you can select the right one quickly.

Changing your address before you complete the order

This is the easiest route and takes less than a minute. While you're in your cart or at the checkout screen, look for the shipping address section — it usually shows the address you've selected and has an "Edit" or "Change" link next to it. Click that link and you'll see your saved addresses. Select the correct one, or enter a new address if it's not in your list yet.

After you change the address, the checkout screen will update to show the new location. Shipping cost may change depending on the new address and the delivery speed you've chosen — Amazon will show you the updated total before you confirm. Once you've verified the address is correct, complete your purchase as normal.

Changing your address after you've placed the order

If you've already completed the order, you need to contact Amazon customer service directly. The fastest way is through the Amazon app or website: go to "Returns, Orders & Settings" or "Your Orders," find the order, and select "Contact Us" or "Problem with order." Choose the option for changing the delivery address. Amazon will show you whether the order can still be changed — some orders are already in the shipping process and cannot be redirected.

If the website tool says the address can't be changed, or if you want to move faster, call Amazon customer service by phone. Have your order number ready. Customer service can sometimes change the address even after the order has left the warehouse, depending on the carrier and how far along the delivery is, but this is not may provide. The sooner you call, the better your chances — waiting more than a few hours significantly reduces the likelihood that the address can be changed.

What happens if the order has already shipped

Once an order has left the Amazon warehouse and is in transit with the carrier (UPS, FedEx, USPS, or Amazon's own delivery network), you typically cannot change the address through your Amazon account. At this point, you have two options: refuse the package when it arrives and reorder to the correct address, or see if the carrier will hold the package at a local facility or Amazon Hub for you to pick up.

To refuse a package, you'll need to be present when it arrives or contact the carrier directly with your tracking number. Some carriers allow you to refuse delivery through their website or app. Once refused, the package returns to Amazon, and you can place a new order with the correct address. This process takes longer than changing the address before shipment, so it's worth acting quickly if you catch the mistake early.

Setting a default address to prevent future mistakes

To avoid this problem in the future, set a primary shipping address in your Amazon account. Go to "Account" or "Your Account," then "Addresses" or "Manage Addresses." Select which address should be your default — this is the one that will appear automatically at checkout. You can change your default address anytime, and you can still select a different address for individual orders if needed.

If you regularly ship to multiple locations (your home, your workplace, a family member's house), save all of them in your address book. Label them clearly — "Home," "Work," "Mom's House" — so you can quickly spot the right one at checkout. This takes a few minutes to set up but saves time and prevents mistakes on every future order.

Tracking your order status to know if a change is still possible

Your order's status tells you whether a change is still possible. In "Your Orders," click on the order and look at the status line. "Order Placed" or "Processing" means the order hasn't shipped yet and can usually be changed. "Preparing to Ship" or "Shipped" means it's already left the warehouse — a change is unlikely but call customer service anyway if you catch it quickly. "Out for Delivery" or "Delivered" means the package is already with the carrier or at your door; you'll need to refuse it or arrange a pickup.

The status updates as the order moves through Amazon's system, but there's often a lag of an hour or two between when the order actually ships and when the status changes on your account. This is why calling immediately, even if the status still says "Processing," gives you the best chance of catching the order before it's too late.

Using Amazon Hub or delivery location holds

If your order is already in transit and you can't change the address, some carriers allow you to redirect the package to an Amazon Hub, locker, or retail location (like Whole Foods or Kohl's) instead of your original address. Check your tracking page — if this option is available, you'll see a "Redirect Package" or "Change Delivery" button. This works only if there's a participating location near the delivery route, and you'll need to pick up the package within a set timeframe (usually a few days).

Not all orders and carriers support this feature, and it's not available in all areas. If the button doesn't appear on your tracking page, this option isn't available for your order. In that case, your only choice is to refuse the delivery and reorder.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my address if the order is marked "Preparing to Ship"?

Maybe. "Preparing to Ship" means the order is in the warehouse but hasn't left yet. Contact Amazon customer service immediately — they can sometimes change it, but the window is very small, often just a few hours. The sooner you call, the better your chances.

What if I refuse the package — do I get a refund?

Yes. When you refuse delivery, the package returns to Amazon and your refund is processed automatically, usually within a few days. You can then place a new order with the correct address. The refund goes back to your original payment method.

Can I change the address for a Prime order differently than a regular order?

No, the process is the same regardless of whether it's a Prime order or not. The only difference is that Prime orders may ship faster, which means the window to change the address is even shorter. Act quickly if you notice a mistake on a Prime order.

What if I entered an address that doesn't exist?

Amazon's address validation tool usually catches invalid addresses before you complete checkout and won't let you finish the order. If an invalid address somehow got through, contact customer service immediately — they can correct it before the order ships, but only if you reach them quickly.

Can I change the address on a gift I ordered for someone else?

Yes, the process is the same. If you ordered a gift and entered the wrong recipient's address, change it the same way you would for your own order — before checkout if possible, or by contacting customer service immediately after placing the order. Make sure the new address is correct before confirming the change.