Can DHL Deliver to Mailboxes? (Here’s What DHL Told Us)

Are you starting to get annoyed at DHL for leaving packages in your mailbox and not at your doorstep? Can DHL really deliver packages to mailboxes legally? You may be surprised to hear what a DHL representative told us when we asked this question.

DHL is not technically allowed to deliver any packages to your mailbox but, in some cases, they rely on USPS to deliver your package. Since USPS is the only company allowed to touch your mailbox, the USPS may place your DHL package in your mailbox on their behalf. 

However, there are still some things that we needed to clear up, so we got in touch with a DHL representative and asked them all the burning questions that you might want to know about this.

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Does DHL Deliver to Mailboxes?

DHL is not legally allowed to deliver to mailboxes. The USPS owns all mailboxes in the United States so only they are allowed to utilize them. Any other carrier must deliver your package to your door. 

In some cases, DHL uses USPS to handle the final leg of the delivery to save on time and money. Under these circumstances, your DHL package may end up in your mailbox since USPS delivered it. 

Does DHL Ever Deliver to a Mailbox?

DHL will deliver to a mailbox in the event of USPS being responsible for the final delivery. In all other circumstances, DHL is not legally allowed to deliver to your mailbox since only USPS can utilize them. 

DHL uses USPS to ensure more efficient package delivery for their customers in certain areas where DHL doesn’t operate. When this happens, DHL hands off your package to USPS.

USPS is then responsible for completing the final delivery. 

Does Dhl Deliver to USPS Mailboxes?

DHL cannot personally deliver to a USPS mailbox since it is against the law. Only USPS is allowed to deliver to their mailboxes. However, sometimes DHL uses USPS to deliver a package. In this instance, USPS is allowed to deliver the DHL package to your mailbox. 

If you find a DHL package in your mailbox, it may be because of this reason. However, it also may have ended up there illegally if the DHL carrier was feeling careless. 

You might also enjoy our post on Can UPS Deliver to Mailboxes?

Does DHL Use USPS?

DHL uses USPS in areas where they do not operate or do not have a lot of carriers in a certain area. DHL hands off your package to USPS to handle the final delivery of the package. 

Since USPS is the only company legally allowed to use your mailbox, they are allowed to put your USPS package in your mailbox, if it fits.

If it does not fit, they will place it at your doorstep or leave you a note at your door to pick it up at your local USPS post office. 

Will DHL Deliver to My Mailbox?

Under certain circumstances, DHL will deliver to your mailbox. This happens when DHL uses USPS to handle the final delivery of your package. Since USPS is legally allowed to utilize your mailbox, unlike any other company, they will drop your package off in your mailbox. 

When this happens, you will notice your tracking information updates its status to delivered “in/at mailbox”.

While this may come as a shock, it is simply because USPS actually delivered to your mailbox and not technically DHL. 

Does DHL Deliver to Your Door or Mailbox?

By law, DHL has to deliver to your door. Only the USPS is allowed to deliver any packages to your mailbox. However, sometimes USPS delivers DHL packages. So, if this happens, your DHL package may end up in your mailbox. 

Normally, though, DHL will deliver your package to your door. Many DHL packages require a signature, so the carrier will knock on your door and ask for your signature or you can pre-sign online.

If you are not home to sign for your package, it will end up at your local DHL or USPS office. The written notification slip you will receive will instruct you where to pick it up. 

You might also enjoy our post on What to Do if Your Neighbor Hits Your Mailbox

Does DHL Deliver to Your Door?

DHL typically delivers to your door. In the United States, only the USPS is allowed to deliver anything to your mailbox, so, all other carriers have to deliver to your door by law. 

However, in some cases, DHL hands off your package to USPS to complete the final delivery of your package. Since they are legally allowed to utilize your mailbox, if your package fits, it may end up in your mailbox. 

Does DHL Deliver to Apartment Mailboxes?

DHL will not deliver to your apartment mailbox since only USPS is allowed to deliver to any mailbox in the United States, regardless of where it is located. If you are receiving a package in your apartment from DHL, you may have to buzz the carrier up or it will be left with your concierge.

However, in some cases, USPS will deliver your DHL package and this is when it could end up in your mailbox if it fits. If DHL does not operate in your area or does not have a large enough fleet, they rely on USPS to complete the final delivery. 

You might also enjoy our post on Can FedEx Deliver to a Mailbox?

Does DHL Deliver to Community Mailboxes?

DHL is not legally allowed to deliver to community mailboxes since only USPS has the legal rights to do so. Additionally, most community mailboxes are far too small to accept packages. 

If your package is small enough and is delivered by USPS, then it may end up in your community mailbox. USPS delivers packages for DHL in areas where DHL doesn’t have a large presence. 

Does DHL Deliver to Locked Mailboxes?

Locked mailboxes are owned by the USPS and only they are allowed to utilize a mailbox. Therefore, DHL will not personally deliver to your locked mailbox. However, if they hand your package off to the USPS for final delivery, then they might use your locked mailbox if the package fits. 

But in most cases, your package will be too big to fit. Locked mailboxes can only fit letter-size mail. In this case, USPS will leave a key in your mailbox to a parcel locker where your package will be waiting for you to pick it up. 

Why Does My Package Say Delivered in/at Mailbox?

Your package says delivered in/at mailbox because USPS actually delivered it and they are allowed to leave packages in your mailbox. DHL hands-off packages to USPS sometimes for them to handle the final delivery when DHL doesn’t have the resources to do so. 

This commonly happens in smaller rural areas where DHL doesn’t have a large presence because it’s not economically sound for them. They rely on USPS to handle the last leg of delivery.

So, USPS will deliver your package to your mailbox and will inform you that it was “delivered in/at mailbox”. 

What is the Meaning of Delivered in/at Mailbox?

When your tracking status changes to “delivered in/at mailbox” this means that your package was delivered to your mailbox. Sometimes DHL uses USPS to deliver your package and, in this case, they deliver your package to your mailbox since they are legally allowed to do so. 

DHL informed us that sometimes you will get this notification even before you get your package. Wait patiently for a couple hours and your package should arrive in due time. 

Does DHL Put Small Packages in Mailboxes?

DHL cannot put small packages in your mailbox if delivered directly by a DHL carrier. However, sometimes USPS delivers packages on behalf of DHL and, in this event, your small package may end up in your mailbox. 

Regardless of the size, though, DHL is not legally allowed to utilize your mailbox since only USPS is. If you are confused as to why you received a notification that your package was “delivered in/at mailbox”, this is likely the reason.

Can DHL Put Packages in My Mailbox?

A DHL carrier is not allowed to put your package in your mailbox since only USPS is allowed to touch mailboxes, by federal law. Sometimes, DHL relies on USPS for the last leg of delivery and, under these circumstances, a USPS driver will drop off your DHL package in your mailbox. 

Check your package for a USPS sticker or stamp to determine if it was handled by USPS. If you do not find a sticker, then check your tracking number to find any hint that the package was handed off to USPS.

If you cannot find any indicators, then it’s possible that your package was illegally delivered.

You might also enjoy our post on Can Amazon Deliver to Mailboxes?

Does DHL Put Packages in Your Mailbox?

Normally, DHL is not legally allowed to put packages in your mailbox. They are required by law to avoid your mailbox and place your package at your doorstep. In some circumstances, DHL will rely on USPS to deliver your package in which they are allowed to use your mailbox. 

In some areas, mainly rural ones, DHL does not have a large presence because it does not make economical sense for them to be in that area.

When this happens, they hand off your package to USPS to handle the final delivery since USPS has to cover all of the United States, rural or not. USPS will place your packing in your mailbox if it fits. 

Why Did DHL Put My Package in the Mailbox?

DHL may have put your package in your mailbox because, in fact, USPS delivered your package and they are legally allowed to do so. Or, your carrier was feeling extra lazy and/or extra behind and didn’t want to walk up to your front doorstep. 

Either way, it can be a surprise to find your package in your mailbox when you thought it would come to your front door. If you do not see a USPS stamp or sticker on your package, then it is likely it was illegally delivered to your mailbox.

In this case, you can contact DHL directly and ask them to look into the matter. 

Is it Illegal for DHL to Put Packages in My Mailbox?

If DHL directly puts your package in your mailbox without using another carrier, then yes, that is illegal. Only USPS is legally allowed to use your mailbox. 

Although DHL tries their best to use their own shipping services, sometimes they have to utilize USPS. In this case, your DHL package will be legally placed in your mailbox. But, in all other cases, it is illegal. 

Can I Stop DHL from Putting My Packages in the Mailbox?

If you find DHL is leaving packages in your mailbox, you can file a complaint directly to DHL. Be sure to include your tracking number so they can find out who is delivering your packages incorrectly. 

DHL will get in touch with the carrier who was responsible for illegally putting your package in your mailbox and get to the bottom of it.

Putting packages in a mailbox, if not delivered by USPS, is a federal crime and DHL will take your concerns very seriously. 

What Should I Do If DHL Puts My Package in My Mailbox?

First, check to see if there is a USPS sticker or stamp on your package which will indicate that USPS legally delivered your package to your mailbox. If not, contact DHL directly to complain about the matter. 

It is illegal for any company, other than USPS, to touch your mailbox. Contacting DHL directly will allow them to investigate the situation and get your issues resolved. 

Call DHL’s customer service line at 1 (855) 345-7447 to file a complaint and also reach their customer service page online. Be sure to have your tracking number on hand.

How Do I Get DHL to Deliver to My Door?

DHL will naturally deliver to your door if DHL themselves is handling the delivery and they have not handed it off to USPS, which happens in some situations. If you are noticing that your DHL package is ending up in your mailbox, this could be why. 

If USPS is handling your DHL delivery, it will be very difficult for you to force them to deliver the package to your door since USPS carriers are on a strict time slot to deliver packages and it’s faster to use your mailbox. 

If, however, you don’t think USPS delivered your package and it is still ending up in your mailbox, then you call the customer service line at DHL and file a complaint.

Make sure to have your tracking number in hand as they need it to track who delivered your package. 

Can I Tell DHL Where to Leave My Packages?

You can certainly request a place for DHL to leave your packages, either on your front doorstep, side door, or back door, or leave it at the post office for you to pick up. 

To do this, enter your tracking number and choose the option where it says request dropoff location. Here you can make a request for the carrier to drop off your package at your desired door of your house.

Please keep in mind that this is only a request and the carrier does not have to grant it. 

Does DHL Deliver Through UPS?

DHL does deliver through UPS for their DHL Express service. They handle some international packages within the United States and provide air lift for packages between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. 

This service helps DHL deliver their packages more quickly and costs them less money. If you are confused as to which company will be delivering your package, check your tracking number for an indication of who is handling it. 

Does DHL Deliver Through FedEx?

DHL does not currently have any operating partnerships with FedEx. The two companies are very much competitors and appear to be staying that way. 

DHL currently only has shipping partners in the US with USPS and UPS. They use USPS for their rural shipments and UPS for their express packages and international packages.

Does DHL Deliver to Mailboxes in Canada?

DHL should not personally deliver to mailboxes in Canada since only Canada Post is legally allowed to use Canadian mailboxes. However, in some cases, Canada Post will deliver DHL packages on behalf of DHL. 

During these circumstances, Canada Post is allowed to put your DHL package in your mailbox since they are the only company allowed to utilize a mailbox.

This happens when DHL does not have the resources to deliver in a certain area. 

Can DHL Deliver to Canada Post Mailbox?

DHL cannot deliver to a Canada Post mailbox since only Canada Post is allowed to do so. But, in some cases, Canada Post will deliver a package on behalf of DHL, thus, they are allowed to use the mailbox. 

In Canada, it is illegal for any company to use a mailbox other than Canada Post. When DHL does not have the resources to deliver a package, it will rely on Canada Post to deliver it.

This may be why your DHL package ended up in your Canada Post mailbox.

Final Thoughts 

Mail delivery can be a tricky thing sometimes to figure out, with private companies and government companies, it’s hard to remember who’s allowed to do what. 

Rest assured, you now know why your DHL packages sometimes end up in your mailbox and you can let go of that frustration. 

Happy online shopping!