What Is a PO Box?
A PO Box (Post Office Box) is a lockable mailbox located inside a USPS post office. You rent it from USPS, and all mail addressed to that box number is held securely at the post office for you to collect at your convenience.
PO Boxes have their own ZIP codes — often different from the ZIP code of the street where the post office is located. Use our ZIP lookup tool to find PO Box ZIP codes for any post office.
Pros and Cons Comparison
| Feature | PO Box | Street Address |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy | ✅ Hides home address | ❌ Home address exposed |
| Security | ✅ Locked; only you access | ⚠️ Porch theft risk |
| Package size | ⚠️ Limited to box/lobby size | ✅ Any size |
| Courier acceptance (FedEx/UPS) | ❌ Not accepted by FedEx/UPS/DHL | ✅ Accepted by all carriers |
| Cost | $4–$30/month depending on size | Free (your home/office) |
| Availability | May have waitlists at popular post offices | Always available |
| Access hours | Post office lobby hours | 24/7 |
PO Box Costs 2025
USPS PO Box rental fees vary by location and box size:
- Extra Small (3" x 5.5"): ~$4–$13/month
- Small (3" x 5.5"): ~$6–$30/month
- Medium (5.5" x 11"): ~$10–$40/month
- Large (11" x 11"): ~$18–$65/month
- Extra Large (12" x 22.5"): ~$30–$100/month
Prices vary significantly by location — urban post offices charge more than rural ones. Check usps.com for exact pricing at your local post office.
Package Delivery to PO Boxes
This is the biggest limitation of PO Boxes: FedEx, UPS, and DHL cannot deliver to PO Box addresses. Only USPS can deliver to PO Boxes.
If you need to receive packages from all carriers at a PO Box-style address, consider a USPS Street Addressing option — some post offices let you use their street address with a box number that looks like a suite number. This allows FedEx/UPS delivery.
Alternatives to PO Boxes
- UPS Store / Mailbox rental: Private mailbox services accept all carriers. More expensive than USPS PO Boxes but more flexible.
- Virtual mailbox services: Services like Anytime Mailbox or Traveling Mailbox provide a real street address, scan your mail, and forward packages digitally or physically.
- USPS Street Addressing: As mentioned above — using the post office's street address with a "PMB" designator.
FAQ
Q: Can I use a PO Box as my business address?
A: Yes, but some business registrations (like LLCs) require a physical street address, not a PO Box. Check your state's requirements.
Q: Can Amazon deliver to a PO Box?
A: Sometimes — Amazon ships via USPS for many items, which can reach PO Boxes. But items shipped via UPS or Amazon Logistics cannot be delivered to PO Boxes. It's safer to use a street address.
Q: How do I find the ZIP code for a PO Box?
A: PO Box ZIP codes can differ from street delivery ZIPs for the same area. Use our free ZIP code lookup to find the correct ZIP for any post office.