As an expert in retail and consumer shipping, I know all too well the sinking feeling of realizing an important package is going to arrive when you‘re not home. Or the frustration of accidentally putting in the wrong delivery address. The good news is, if you‘re dealing with a UPS shipment, you can usually reroute it – although it may cost you.
In this ultimate guide, I‘ll share everything you need to know about rerouting UPS packages, including your options, how much it costs, and step-by-step instructions. Plus, I‘ll provide some insider analysis on why rerouting is so important for a positive delivery experience. Let‘s dive in!
Can Any UPS Package Be Rerouted?
According to UPS, the vast majority of packages are eligible for rerouting with a few exceptions. Shipments that cannot be rerouted include:
- UPS SurePost packages
- Packages requiring an adult signature
- Shipments to a UPS Access Point or UPS Customer Center
- Packages sent with international shipping services
However, for most standard UPS domestic shipments, you should have the option to reroute through the UPS My Choice program as long as the request is made before the first delivery attempt. In 2022, over 62 million packages were rerouted using UPS My Choice, a 15% increase from the previous year.
It‘s important to note that your shipper can restrict the ability to reroute certain packages, although this isn‘t super common. High-value items or specialty goods are the most likely to have rerouting disabled by the seller.
What Is UPS My Choice?
Launched in 2011, UPS My Choice is a free service that allows customers to track, manage, and control their incoming packages. One of the key features is the ability to reroute eligible shipments to a new address, a UPS Access Point, or a UPS location.
The benefits of using UPS My Choice include:
- Get estimated delivery windows and delivery notifications
- Digitally sign for packages online
- Leave driver instructions for your deliveries
- Track multiple packages at once
- Easily reroute or reschedule deliveries
To use UPS My Choice, you simply need to create a free account and register your address. Once logged in, you‘ll see a personalized dashboard with all incoming packages for your address and the option to "Change Delivery" if available.
Rerouting Options and Fees
UPS offers several options for rerouting packages through UPS My Choice, although some alternatives are pricier than others. Here‘s a detailed breakdown of your choices and the associated fees:
1. Reroute to a UPS Access Point for Pickup
If you won‘t be home to accept your package, one convenient (and free!) alternative is to reroute it to a UPS Access Point location for pickup. There are over 21,000 UPS Access Point locations across the US, including:
- The UPS Store (~5,000 locations)
- Local businesses like delis, dry cleaners, and convenience stores
- Self-service UPS Access Point lockers
As long as you request it at least 24 hours before your scheduled delivery date, UPS will reroute your package to the UPS Access Point of your choice for free. Packages are then securely held at the Access Point for 7 calendar days for your retrieval.
2. Reroute to a New Address
Need to update the delivery address altogether? UPS can usually accommodate this, but it will cost you:
- $4 for requests made online more than 24 hours before scheduled delivery
- $6 for requests made by phone more than 24 hours before scheduled delivery
One important caveat – if the new address is substantially further away than the original destination, UPS may charge an additional "transportation fee" on top of the baseline reroute cost. Unfortunately there‘s no published schedule for these fees; they‘re assessed on a case-by-case basis.
3. Same-Day Rerouting
In the event that you need to make a last-minute change, UPS can sometimes honor reroute requests made within 24 hours of the scheduled delivery. However, it will cost you extra:
- $6 for same-day online requests
- $15 for same-day phone requests
Because of the higher fees, I always recommend making any necessary reroute requests at least a day in advance whenever possible. A little planning can save you up to $11 per package!
4. Reroute to a UPS Customer Center
In addition to UPS Access Points, most packages can also be rerouted to a local UPS Customer Center for pickup free of charge with 24+ hours advance notice.
There are over 500 UPS Customer Centers across the country, typically located in large metro areas. Packages are securely held for up to 7 business days for pickup, although you may have to show ID when retrieving them. This is a good option if you don‘t live near a UPS Access Point but still need an alternative delivery location.
Why Does UPS Charge for Rerouting?
You might be wondering – if rerouting a package is simply a change in the delivery address, why does UPS charge a fee for some reroutes?
There are a few reasons for this. First, rerouting a package often means rerouting it after it has already shipped and been processed through part of the UPS network. This requires manual intervention to intercept the package and relabel it for the new destination.
Second, UPS drivers work diligently to efficiently organize and deliver hundreds of packages along optimized routes each day. A reroute throws a wrench in those plans and may require substantial backtracking or additional miles. This is especially true for reroutes to addresses far from the original delivery area, which is why UPS reserves the right to add "transportation fees" in those cases.
Finally, while it may seem like a trivial task, rerouting requires careful coordination between dispatch, the driver, and the UPS tracking system to ensure the package isn‘t lost or further delayed. The rerouting fee helps cover the labor costs incurred for these avoidable exceptions.
How UPS Rerouting Fees Compare to FedEx and USPS
To put the UPS rerouting fees in perspective, let‘s see how they stack up against the other two major US carriers:
FedEx Rerouting Fees
Like UPS, FedEx allows customers to reroute packages for free to a FedEx location with 24 hours notice. However, rerouting to a new address costs $5.55 if requested in advance and $15.25 for same-day changes.
USPS Rerouting Fees
USPS offers a premium service called Package Intercept for rerouting deliveries. The fee starts at $15.25 plus additional postage, and the service is not guaranteed. Regular mail forwarding is also an option but can take up to 12 days.
So in most cases, UPS offers the most affordable and flexible package rerouting options compared to FedEx and USPS. The only potential upcharge to watch out for is the "transportation fee" for distant reroutes.
3 Tips for a Smooth UPS Rerouting Experience
To recap, here are my top three tips for successfully rerouting a UPS package:
-
Make the request early. You‘ll have the most options and the lowest fees if you submit your reroute request at least 24 hours before the scheduled delivery.
-
Choose a UPS Access Point or UPS Customer Center for pickup. Both are free, secure alternatives if you won‘t be able to accept the package at your address.
-
Update your UPS My Choice address ASAP if you move. This will minimize the need to reroute packages in the first place. You can have multiple addresses in your profile.
The bottom line is that a proactive approach is key to avoiding missed deliveries, porch pirates, and those pesky rerouting fees. Take advantage of the free tools and locations UPS offers to make sure your packages end up safely in your hands every time!
UPS Rerouting FAQ
To wrap up, let‘s address a few frequently asked questions about rerouting UPS packages:
Q: What if I miss the cutoff for free rerouting?
A: UPS will sometimes still reroute the package, but the $6-$15 "same day" fee will apply. There‘s no guarantee they can accommodate last-minute requests.
Q: Will rerouting delay my package?
A: In most cases, no. If the reroute is processed in time, your package will still go out for delivery on the originally scheduled date, just to the new location. The exception would be if the new address is too far away for the standard committment time.
Q: How do I submit a UPS reroute request?
A: The easiest way to reroute a package is to log into your UPS My Choice account, find the package on your tracking dashboard, and look for the yellow "Change Delivery" button. You can also call 1-800-PICK-UPS.
Q: Can I reroute an international UPS package?
A: In most cases, no. UPS package rerouting is only available on domestic shipments within the United States.
Hopefully this guide has given you all the information you need to make informed decisions about rerouting your UPS packages! For more consumer news and tips, be sure to check out my other posts on retail shipping and delivery.
){kind=link}