UPS Request Pickup: 2026 Guide to Fees & Scheduling

Getting packages out the door shouldn’t be a hassle. Whether you’re a small business shipping daily or just sending a one off gift, learning how to make a UPS request pickup can save you a trip and streamline your entire process. You can schedule a pickup directly on the UPS website, by calling their customer service number, or by setting up a recurring pickup through a UPS account. But with several different services, each with its own rules and fees, how do you choose the right one?

Let’s break down every UPS request pickup option, from costs to scheduling, so you can ship smarter.

Choosing the Right UPS Request Pickup Service for You

UPS offers a menu of pickup services designed for different shipping frequencies and budgets. Finding the best fit depends on how often you send packages. If you’re comparing carriers for label price, see our guide on which is cheaper: UPS or USPS?

UPS On Call Pickup (For One Time Shipments)

This is your go to for a single, one time pickup. You schedule it, a driver comes to your location, and they collect all your labeled packages in one stop. It’s available for most addresses in the United States. You can book this for the same day or a future date, with same day service costing more. For example, published rates in 2026 were around $14.75 for same day and $9.05 for a future day pickup.

Daily Pickup (For Consistent Shippers)

If you ship every business day, this is the most convenient option. A driver stops by your business at a prearranged time Monday to Friday. This service requires a UPS account and comes with a flat weekly fee, which was listed at $36 per week in early 2026. A great perk is that if you miss your driver, you can call for a second attempt to pick up air and international packages that same day for no extra charge.

Flexible Daily Pickup (A Lower Cost Regular Option)

Also known as Daily On Route Pickup, this is a more budget friendly recurring option. Instead of a dedicated stop at a specific time, the driver collects your packages while on their regular delivery route in your area. With a weekly fee around $10.50, it offers the consistency of a daily service at a much lower cost, making it a great choice for businesses wanting a regular UPS request pickup without the premium price tag.

Automatic Pickup (UPS Smart Pickup)

This is a clever, automated option. UPS only schedules a pickup on days when you actually process a shipment. When you create your first label of the day, it automatically triggers a pickup request. To get a same day pickup, you need to process that first shipment before your account’s “notify by” time. This service typically has a flat weekly charge, with many accounts seeing rates around $18.00 per week.

Choose Your Pickup Day (Day Specific Pickup)

Don’t ship every day but still need a regular schedule? This service lets you pre select one to four specific days of the week for a recurring pickup. The weekly fee depends on the number of days you choose, with published examples ranging from $7.50 for one day to $28.50 for four days.

Saturday Pickup (For Weekend Shipping)

UPS is the only major private carrier in the U.S. offering Saturday pickups for all service levels, including Ground, in many metropolitan areas. This can give your packages a head start for Monday delivery. Adding this service usually requires having an existing weekday pickup plan.

Same Day Pickup (When You Need It Fast)

Need to get a package out right away? You can get a same day UPS request pickup using the On Call Pickup service, though it comes at a higher price than scheduling for a future day. For Smart Pickup users, processing a package before your cutoff time also enables a same day pickup. You can always call 1 800 PICK UPS (1 800 742 5877) directly to arrange an On Call Pickup if you’re in a pinch.

Understanding the Costs: UPS Pickup Fees and Surcharges

Beyond the base pickup fee, several surcharges can affect your total cost. Understanding these helps you avoid surprises on your invoice. Before you commit, it’s always wise to compare shipping rates to see if another service might be more cost effective for your specific package.

What is a Pickup Fee?

This is the charge for the pickup service itself.

One Time (On Call): A single fee per stop, not per package. As of early 2026, this was about $14.75 for same day and $9.05 for future day pickups.
Weekly Programs: A recurring flat fee for services like Daily Pickup ($36/week) or Flexible Daily Pickup ($10.50/week).

Delivery Area Surcharge (DAS) Explained

UPS adds this per package fee for deliveries to ZIP codes it considers less efficient to serve. These aren’t just rural areas; in recent years, DAS has been applied to parts of major cities like Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles. For 2026, industry analysis showed these fees were around $4.50 for commercial addresses and $6.55 for residential ones.

What is a Residential Surcharge?

This is a per package fee applied when delivering to a home, which includes home based businesses. Residential deliveries are more costly due to lower stop density. For 2026, these surcharges were estimated around $6.50 for Ground and $7.00 for Air services.

Remote Area Surcharge (RAS) for Hard to Reach Zones

Think of this as a higher tier surcharge for the most remote and expensive ZIP codes to deliver to. These fees are significantly higher than the standard DAS and apply to certain areas in the contiguous U.S., Alaska, and Hawaii.

How to Schedule Your UPS Request Pickup: Key Details

When you schedule a pickup, providing clear information is key to a successful handoff.

Defining Your Pickup Location Option

This is simply where the driver should look for your packages. Common options include the front door, reception desk, or loading dock. Be specific in your request to avoid missed pickups.

Using an Alternate Pickup Location

The On Call Pickup service allows you to schedule a pickup from an address that isn’t your own. This is perfect if you’re traveling or shipping from a temporary location. Just remember that any applicable residential or area surcharges will be based on that alternate address.

Understanding the Pickup Scheduling Window

This is the timeframe during which you can expect the driver to arrive. For recurring pickups, you can often set your preferred earliest and latest times in your UPS account. For on demand pickups, the scheduling form will provide an estimated window. These times are estimates and can be affected by traffic, weather, or other route delays.

Pickup Date and Time Selection

You have flexibility in choosing when your packages get picked up.

Recurring: Set your preferred days and times for services like Daily or Day Specific Pickup.
One Time: On Call Pickup lets you select either the same day or a future business day.
Holidays: If your scheduled pickup day falls on a UPS holiday, the service automatically moves to the next business day. If you also ship USPS, review the USPS holidays to plan around closures.

Getting a Pickup Notification

For certain services like Smart Pickup, UPS provides a Pickup Reference Number (PRN) once your request is confirmed. You can use this number to check the status or make changes. You can view the status of any request by logging into your account on UPS.com.

Package Rules and Required Information for a Smooth Pickup

To ensure your driver can accept your packages, make sure you follow these essential rules.

The Shipping Label Requirement (No Label, No Go)

Every package must have a printed, scannable UPS shipping label securely attached before the driver arrives. Handwritten addresses won’t work for a UPS request pickup. You can hand a pre labeled package to any UPS driver who is already at your address for a delivery at no extra charge.

Tracking Information Requirement

Your shipping label contains the tracking number, typically a long number starting with “1Z”. You’ll use this number to track the package’s journey after it’s been picked up. To check on the pickup request itself, you’ll need the PRN.

Overweight Package Declaration (Over 70 lbs)

For any package weighing more than 70 pounds (31.5 kg), you must attach a special UPS Heavy Package sticker. This bright yellow sticker alerts drivers to handle the parcel with care, ensuring safety and reducing the risk of damage. Packages over 150 pounds are considered LTL freight and require a different service.

Is There a Package Count Limit?

For a UPS On Call Pickup, there is no limit; the single fee covers all packages you have ready for that one stop. However, some third party shipping software may have its own limits per request. If you have an unusually large volume, it’s a good idea to call UPS with your PRN to give them a heads up.

Your Pickup Confirmation Number (PRN) and How to Check Status

The Pickup Reference Number, or PRN, is your proof that a pickup has been scheduled. It’s essential for checking the status online, making changes, or canceling the request. You can view your active requests and their PRNs by logging into UPS.com and navigating to the Pickup Request Status page.

Managing Your Pickup: Cancellations, Misses, and Alternatives

Sometimes plans change or pickups get missed. Here’s how to handle common issues.

How to Cancel a UPS Request Pickup

The easiest way to cancel a pickup is online. Log in to the UPS website, go to the Pickup Request Status page, and use your PRN to cancel the request. You can also call 1 800 PICK UPS to cancel by phone. Be sure to cancel as early as possible to avoid potential charges.

Missed Pickup Resolution Steps

If a driver misses your pickup, the first step is to call 1 800 PICK UPS with your PRN. For customers with daily pickup accounts, UPS can often make a second attempt on the same day for air and international packages at no additional fee. Alternatively, you can schedule a free USPS pickup for eligible services if that better fits your timing.

Drop Off Alternative Locations (When Pickup Isn’t an Option)

If you miss the cutoff or just need to get a package out fast, you can always use a drop off location. Options include:

The UPS Store (over 5,500 locations in the U.S.).
UPS Access Point locations (often inside local businesses).
UPS Customer Centers.
UPS Drop Boxes (available 24/7 for smaller packages).

Quick Guide: How to Schedule a Pickup

You have three primary ways to schedule your UPS request pickup:

Online: Use the Schedule a Pickup tool on UPS.com.
By Phone: Call 1 800 PICK UPS (1 800 742 5877).
Shipping Software: Many e commerce platforms and shipping tools can submit pickup requests directly to UPS.

Save Money on Your Next Shipment

Choosing the right UPS request pickup service is smart, but ensuring you’re paying the lowest possible rate for your label is even smarter. Retail rates at carrier stores can be high. By using a free online tool, you can often find ways to access commercial rates that save you 40% to 80%.

Before you ship, take a moment to compare shipping rates from all major carriers. You might discover that a different service is significantly cheaper for your package’s size and destination. For those just starting out, learning how to buy discounted shipping labels online is one of the fastest ways to lower your costs.

Frequently Asked Questions About the UPS Request Pickup Service

What’s the cheapest way to schedule a UPS pickup?
For infrequent shippers, scheduling an On Call Pickup for a future day is cheaper than a same day request. For businesses, the Flexible Daily Pickup (On Route) offers the lowest weekly fee for a recurring service. The absolute cheapest method is often handing a pre labeled package to a driver already making a delivery at your address, which is free. If your shipment is around 20 lb, see our breakdown of the cheapest way to ship a 20 lb box.

Can I give a package to a UPS driver without scheduling a pickup?
Yes. If a UPS driver is at your location for a delivery, you can hand them any outgoing package that already has a prepaid UPS label attached. There is no extra charge for this.

How late can I schedule a same day UPS request pickup?
The cutoff time for a same day pickup varies by your location and local route schedules. Generally, you must schedule it several hours before the close of business. The online scheduling tool on UPS.com will show you the earliest available window for your address.

Do I need a UPS account to request a pickup?
While recurring pickup services like Daily Pickup require a UPS account, you can schedule a one time On Call Pickup online or by phone using a credit card without a permanent account.

What happens if I miss my UPS pickup?
If you have a daily or day specific account, call 1 800 PICK UPS. They may be able to arrange a second attempt for any air or international packages you have. For a missed On Call Pickup, you will likely need to reschedule it for the next business day.

How do I check the status of my UPS request pickup?
Log in to your account on UPS.com and navigate to the “Pickup Request Status” section. There, you can see scheduled pickups and their current status using your account number or the Pickup Reference Number (PRN).