USPS Package Pickup: Schedule a Free Pickup From Home
USPS picks up packages from your home or office for free. Your mail carrier takes them during regular delivery — no trip to the post office, no extra fee. UPS and FedEx charge for pickup. USPS does not.
Which services qualify
Free pickup applies to packages shipped with:
- Priority Mail
- Priority Mail Express
- USPS Ground Advantage
- Priority Mail International
- Priority Mail Express International
- Global Express Guaranteed
If you have packages using other services (Media Mail, for example), your carrier will take those too — as long as at least one package in the batch uses a qualifying service above.
Each package must weigh 70 lb or less.
How to schedule
You need a shipping label with paid postage before scheduling. You can buy labels through USPS Click-N-Ship or through shipping software like Stamps.com, Shippo, or ShippingEasy — which offer discounted commercial rates. You can also compare USPS rates against UPS, FedEx, and DHL using our shipping calculator — though keep in mind those carriers charge for pickup while USPS does not.
Once your label is attached, head to the USPS Schedule a Pickup page. You do not need a USPS.com account to schedule — just fill out the form:
- Go to the USPS Schedule a Pickup page.
- Enter your name, address, phone number, and email.
- Click “Check Availability” to confirm your address is eligible.
- Select the day (Monday through Saturday, business days only).
- Choose a time window when the package will be ready.
- Add a note telling your carrier where to find the package — porch, front door, side gate.
Your carrier picks up the package during their regular delivery route. You pick the day but not the exact time. Requests made on weekends or holidays are scheduled for the next business day.
No limit on quantity — you can schedule pickup for as many packages as you want in a single request.
Rescheduling or modifying a pickup
Plans change. USPS lets you edit or cancel a scheduled pickup after the fact.
Click “Modify an Existing Pickup” at the top of the scheduling page. Enter your confirmation number (from the confirmation email USPS sent when you scheduled) and the email address or phone number you used. From there you can change the date, update package details, or cancel the request entirely.
You can delay a pickup by up to three months. If you just need to push it back a day or two, this is faster than canceling and rebooking.
Pickup On Demand
Need a pickup at a specific time outside of regular delivery? USPS offers Pickup On Demand for a per-trip fee. You choose the date and a two-hour window. This option exists for urgent or after-hours situations — most people will not need it.
Tips
- Leave the package visible. Your carrier will not knock or ring the bell. Put the package where they can see it — porch, front step, or wherever you noted in the scheduling form.
- Match your return address. The return address on the label must match the pickup address. Otherwise USPS may route the package to a different post office.
- Use free USPS boxes. Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express ship in free USPS boxes — order them online and they arrive at your door. Between free boxes and free pickup, you never have to leave home.
How USPS pickup compares to UPS and FedEx
UPS charges a fee for scheduled pickups unless you have a daily pickup agreement. FedEx charges per package for on-call pickups. USPS is the only major carrier that picks up packages at no cost during regular delivery. For most people shipping from home, this makes USPS the most practical option — even when another carrier is a few cents cheaper on the label.
Frequently asked questions
Can USPS pick up packages from my home? Yes. USPS picks up packages for free during regular mail delivery. Schedule a pickup at tools.usps.com and your mail carrier takes the package when they deliver your mail.
Can the mailman pick up packages? Yes. Your letter carrier will pick up any prepaid package left at your address as long as you schedule a pickup and at least one package uses a qualifying service (Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, or Ground Advantage).
Does USPS charge for pickup? No. Standard package pickup during regular delivery is free. USPS also offers Pickup On Demand for a fee if you need a specific time window outside normal delivery hours.
Do I need a USPS account to schedule a pickup? No. You can schedule a pickup without signing in — just fill out the form on the USPS website with your name, address, and contact information.
