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

Have you been receiving UPS packages in your mailbox instead of your front door? Millions of people are experiencing this every day. We got in touch with UPS directly to ask them if the UPS can deliver to mailboxes, and why our packages are showing up in the mail.

UPS is not legally allowed to deliver packages to your mailbox unless they’re using UPS SurePost. When using UPS SurePost, the USPS actually delivers the package on behalf of UPS. This is allowed because the USPS is the only company legally allowed to use mailboxes.

However, there is so much other confusion related to all of this that we cleared up for you. Find out exactly why UPS is delivering to your mailbox and how you can get them to stop, straight from the source. 

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Does UPS Deliver to Mailboxes?

UPS is only legally allowed to deliver to mailboxes if they are using a service that is in collaboration with the United States Postal Service. This service is called SurePost. When this service is not being used, by law, they cannot deliver to mailboxes.

This is due to the fact that mailboxes in the United States are owned by USPS, so only USPS is legally allowed to touch them.

However, some carrier companies, like UPS, have partnerships with USPS to provide faster and more eco-friendly ways to deliver mail within the United States.

The parcels are delivered to USPS for the final leg of the delivery. 

Does UPS Deliver to Mailboxes in Canada?

Mailboxes are used by Canada Post in Canada, so UPS is not allowed to use them as it may cause important mail to get lost or tampered with. UPS should only deliver packages to your doorstep.

Canada Post is the main mail delivery company in Canada which means only they can use your mailbox.

Important mail such as bills and confidential letters are sent to mailboxes so if parcel companies are constantly opening and closing mailboxes, the chances of mail falling out are more likely.

This is why it is a law in Canada that only Canada Post can utilize a mailbox. 

Does UPS Deliver to Apartment Mailboxes?

UPS does indeed deliver to mailboxes at apartments. Depending on your apartment building, your packages will be delivered to the concierge or the carrier will buzz your apartment to come in.

UPS will attempt to deliver your package three times. If they cannot deliver your package they will leave it at your local UPS store where you can go and pick it up.

Be sure to check with the management of your apartment building to figure out how you can receive your packages.

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

Does UPS Deliver to Community Mailboxes?

UPS will not deliver to community mailboxes because, in Canada and the United States, community mailboxes are owned by Canada Post and the United States Postal Service to deliver mail only, not packages. 

However, UPS has mailboxes that you can personally rent out to receive packages if you don’t want to receive them at your house.

You can choose the size of the mailbox depending on how many packages you usually receive and how large they usually are.

Does UPS Deliver to Locked Mailboxes?

UPS is not legally allowed to deliver to any mailboxes, locked or not, since mailboxes are owned by USPS. Also, locked mailboxes are typically community mailboxes that, again, can only be used by USPS.

The only way that UPS can deliver to a locked mailbox is if the delivery service being used is in partnership with USPS in which USPS is responsible for the final delivery.

The parcel would also have to be small enough to fit into the locked mailbox. 

Can UPS Deliver to Canada Post Mailbox?

By law, only Canada Post is allowed to use a mailbox in Canada regardless of whether the mailbox is owned by Canada Post. If any other carrier, other than Purolator, puts a parcel in a mailbox, it is considered against the law. 

Since Canada Post owns the mailbox and this mailbox receives important documents such as bills, no other company is allowed to touch the mailbox. This protects people’s mail from getting lost.

Therefore, UPS is not allowed to deliver anything directly to a mailbox.

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

Does UPS Ever Deliver to a Mailbox?

The one circumstance where UPS is allowed to deliver to a mailbox is when the service SurePost is being used which is in partnership with USPS. In this case, USPS is responsible for the final delivery of the package. 

This service is utilized for small and lightweight packages and offers a more affordable option for customers. UPS handles all the shipping logistics but USPS is responsible for the final delivery of the package.

This saves time and money for the customer. 

Does UPS Deliver to USPS Mailboxes?

UPS is not allowed to deliver to USPS mailboxes, by law. Mailboxes in the United States are owned by USPS which is owned by the American government, therefore, only USPS is allowed to utilize the mailboxes.

However, in some cases, UPS and USPS work together to deliver mail. In this case, USPS delivers mail on behalf of both companies.

This service is called SurePost and is the only exception for Ups to deliver to a USPS mailbox. 

Will UPS Deliver to My Mailbox?

UPS won’t deliver to your mailbox unless USPS is delivering on behalf of UPS. But, other than that, UPS is not legally allowed to deliver to your mailbox since USPS owns all mailboxes in the United States.

This is why most packages get delivered straight to your door, also, because they won’t fit even if someone wasn’t following the rules. 

Does UPS Put Small Packages in Mailboxes?

UPS will only put small packages in mailboxes if the service SurePost was used. SurePost is a service with UPS and USPS in which small packages are allowed to be delivered by USPS.

Other than that, UPS is not allowed to put packages in a mailbox even if it is small and fits. This is because the USPS owns all mailboxes and only they are entitled to the use of the mailbox.

It is against the law for any other company to use them. 

Does UPS Deliver to Your Door or Mailbox?

UPS will deliver all packages to your door unless a package is being delivered by USPS on behalf of UPS. In this case, USPS does the final delivery so the package will end up in your mailbox. 

In all other cases, UPS will deliver your packages directly to your door. If a signature is required, they will ring your doorbell and ask you to sign for the package.

If you are not home to sign, your package will end up at your local UPS and you will have to pick it up. If no signature is required, they will leave your package outside if you do not answer the door.

Can UPS Put Packages in My Mailbox?

UPS can put packages in your mailbox but, by law, they are not allowed to since only USPS is allowed to utilize a mailbox in the United States. 

The only reason why a UPS package would end up in your mailbox is if the SurePost service was used, which is when USPS is responsible for the final delivery OR if your carrier was feeling extra lazy or behind that day. 

Does UPS Put Packages in Your Mailbox?

Normally, UPS should not be putting packages in your mailbox since this is legal. Only USPS is allowed to put anything in your mailbox. However, UPS and the USPS have a service in which USPS is responsible for the final delivery.

In this case, you will find your UPS package in your mailbox. But, other than that, your UPS packages should never end up in your mailbox. Your carrier will be breaking the law if they do that. 

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

How Do I Get UPS to Deliver to My Door?

You can arrange where you would like your parcel delivered by entering your tracking number into the UPS website and requesting your delivery location.

Here you can request UPS to deliver your package to your door, side door, or back door. But remember, this is just a request.

UPS drivers are very busy and only have a specific amount of time they are allowed to take to deliver a package. So, if the request is not granted, that is why. 

Can I Tell UPS Where to Leave My Packages?

You can fill out a request form online, if you have your UPS tracking number, to tell your carrier where to leave your package. This is just a request though and not guaranteed.

UPS drivers have to follow strict time crunches for each delivery, averaging only 17 seconds per delivery.

So, if you want your driver to deliver your package behind your house and there are a few obstacles your driver will have to get through, it’s likely they will just leave your package at your front door.

But, you can still try by requesting a delivery location. 

If you’re asking UPS to deliver your packages at your back door in order to keep them safe from your neighbors, you probably should check out our blog post to learn how to make your neighbors stop stealing your packages! 

You might also enjoy our post on Neighbor Stole My Packages (This Made Them Stop!)

What Is UPS SurePost?

UPS SurePost is a partnership between UPS and USPS in which UPS handles all the shipping logistics of a package but USPS is responsible for the final delivery of the package. 

This is a service used for small and lightweight packages within the United States mainly utilized by e-commerce businesses.

It offers customers a faster and less expensive service. Delivery time is typically 2-7 days, including delivery on weekends! 

Does UPS SurePost Deliver to Mailboxes?

UPS SurePost does indeed deliver to mailboxes but the delivery is handled by USPS. However, 30% of packages are delivered by UPS. In this case, the package cannot be delivered to your mailbox.

This is because only USPS is allowed to use your mailbox since they own it. Any other carrier is not allowed to use it.

So, the only time when UPS SurePost is delivered to your mailbox is when USPS handles the final delivery.

Can I Stop UPS From Putting My Packages in the Mailbox?

The most efficient way to get UPS to stop putting your packages in your mailbox is to file a complaint directly to UPS. They will take your complaint seriously since they are legally not allowed to use your mailbox.

File a complaint on the UPS website by calling or emailing their customer service line.

• UPS Customer Service Phone Number: 1-800-742-5877
• UPS Customer Service Email: customer.service@ups.com

Whoever is placing your packages in your mailbox is breaking the law so your complaint will be taken seriously.

Be sure to include your address and tracking number so the agent is able to track who delivered your parcel. 

Why Did UPS Put My Package in the Mailbox?

Your UPS package may have ended up in your mailbox because USPS actually delivered it – and they are allowed to put packages in your mailbox – or because your driver was feeling extra lazy or extra behind.

However, regardless of how your driver was feeling, it is actually illegal for UPS to place packages in your mailbox unless the service SurePost was used.

In this case, USPS is responsible for the final delivery and will place the package in your mailbox. 

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

What Should I Do if UPS Puts My Package in My Mailbox?

If UPS puts a package in your mailbox, first check if it was actually delivered by USPS. You can check this by looking for a stamp or sticker from USPS. If this is not the case, then UPS illegally delivered your package and you should file a complaint on their website.

Only USPS is allowed to deliver packages to a mailbox and sometimes USPS delivers packages on behalf of UPS when the service SurePost is used. 

But, if this service was not used, then the package was illegally delivered. File a complaint on the UPS website via phone call or email to the customer service line.

Include your address and tracking number so they are able to track who delivered your package and hold them accountable. 

Is It Illegal for UPS to Put Packages in My Mailbox?

It is indeed illegal for UPS to put packages in your mailbox. This is because the United States Postal Service owns all mailboxes so only they are allowed to utilize them. It is considered mail tampering for anyone else who uses a mailbox. 

However, UPS and USPS have a partnership service called SurePost in which USPS is responsible for the final delivery of a package. This is the only case where it is legal for a UPS package to be in your mailbox. 

Final Thoughts

Mail tends to be something not a lot of people think of but it’s actually a complex system so don’t feel bad if you had to rely on Google to answer your questions. 

Hopefully, now you completely understand why UPS packages might be ending up in your mailbox.

Be sure to complain if they are ending up there illegally because, if you don’t, you might be adding some extra steps to your daily count every day looking for your missing packages.