You can change your shipping address on Amazon up until the moment a package leaves the warehouse, and sometimes after

Amazon lets you change where a package goes in two windows: before you check out, and after you've ordered but before the item ships. The exact steps depend on which stage your order is in. If your package has already left Amazon's warehouse and is in transit with a carrier, you cannot change the address through Amazon — you'll need to contact the carrier directly or refuse the package and reorder.

The reason this matters for account safety is that a correct shipping address is one of your best defenses against fraud. If someone gains access to your account, they might try to reroute orders to an address you don't recognize. Knowing how to spot and fix address changes quickly can help you catch unauthorized activity before it becomes a bigger problem.

Key Takeaways

  • Before you complete checkout, you can change your address by selecting a different one from your saved addresses or entering a new one on the shipping page.
  • After you've placed an order but before it ships, go to Your Orders, find the item, and click "Change Address" if that button appears — it disappears once the item leaves the warehouse.
  • Once a package is in transit with UPS, FedEx, or USPS, you cannot change the address through Amazon; you must contact the carrier or refuse delivery and reorder.
  • If you notice an address change you didn't make, change your Amazon password when ready and review your recent orders for other suspicious activity.
  • Amazon saves every address you've ever shipped to; you can delete old addresses from your account to reduce confusion and catch unauthorized changes more easily.

Changing your address before you check out

This is the easiest moment to change where your package goes. On the checkout page, under "Shipping Address," you'll see the address Amazon has selected by default — usually your most recent one. Click "Change" or the address itself to open a list of all saved addresses on your account.

Select the address where you want the package to go. If the address you need isn't in the list, click "Add a new address" and enter the full details: street address, city, state, and ZIP code. Amazon will verify the address format before you can proceed. Once you've selected or added the address, continue to payment and complete your order.

This is also the moment to double-check that the address is correct. Typos in apartment numbers, street names, or ZIP codes are common reasons packages get delivered to the wrong place. If you're ordering to a temporary location — a hotel, a friend's house, a workplace — make sure the address includes any details the carrier will need, like a suite number or building name.

Changing your address after you've ordered but before it ships

If you've already placed an order and realize the address is wrong, you may still be able to change it. Go to Your Orders (in the Account menu or at amazon.com/your-orders). Find the order you want to change and click on it to open the order details.

Look for a button that says "Change Address" or "Edit Delivery Address." This button only appears if the item hasn't shipped yet — once Amazon has handed the package to a carrier, the button disappears. If you see the button, click it, select or enter a new address, and confirm the change. Amazon will send you a confirmation email with the updated address.

The window for this is usually 24 to 48 hours after you place the order, but it varies depending on how quickly Amazon processes and ships the item. Items sold by Amazon and fulfilled from Amazon warehouses move faster than items sold by third-party sellers. If you're unsure whether your item has shipped, check the order details page — it will say "Not yet shipped" or show a tracking number.

What to do if your package is already in transit

Once a package has left Amazon's warehouse and is in the hands of UPS, FedEx, USPS, or another carrier, Amazon cannot change the address. You have two options: contact the carrier directly, or refuse the package and reorder to the correct address.

To contact the carrier, you'll need the tracking number from your Amazon order. Go to Your Orders, click the order, and look for the tracking number under "Shipping Details." Click the tracking number to go to the carrier's website (UPS.com, FedEx.com, or USPS.com). Most carriers offer a service to redirect a package to a different address, though there may be a fee and the package must not have already been out for delivery that day.

If redirecting through the carrier isn't possible or costs too much, you can refuse delivery when the package arrives. The carrier will return it to Amazon, and you can then place a new order with the correct address. This takes longer than a straightforward address change, so it's worth trying the carrier's redirect service first if you catch the mistake early enough.

Managing your saved addresses to catch unauthorized changes

Amazon stores every address you've ever shipped to, and this list can become a security tool. If someone gains access to your account, one of the first things they might do is add a new address or change the default address on file. By keeping your saved addresses list clean, you make it easier to spot when something doesn't belong.

Go to Your Account, then "Manage Your Content and Devices," then "Preferences," then "Addresses." You'll see a list of every address associated with your account. Delete any addresses you no longer use — old apartments, workplaces you've left, or places you shipped to years ago. Keep only the addresses you actually use.

Check this list every few months, especially if you've noticed suspicious activity on your account. If you see an address you don't recognize, that's a sign someone may have accessed your account. Change your Amazon password when ready, review your recent orders for items you didn't purchase, and consider enabling two-factor authentication if you haven't already.

Why address changes matter for account security

A fraudster with access to your Amazon account doesn't necessarily want your money — they want your packages. They can use your saved payment methods to order high-value items and have them shipped to an address they control. By the time you notice the charge, the package is already gone.

Catching an unauthorized address change before the order ships is one of the fastest ways to stop this kind of fraud. This is why it's worth checking your email for order confirmations, especially if you've received a notification for an order you don't remember placing. Amazon sends a confirmation email every time an order is placed, and the email includes the shipping address. If the address is wrong, act when ready.

If you do spot an unauthorized order with a changed address, cancel it through Your Orders if it hasn't shipped yet, or refuse delivery if it's already in transit. Then change your password and review your account for other signs of unauthorized access, such as changed payment methods or email address changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my address if my order is marked "Preparing to ship"?

Usually yes. "Preparing to ship" means the item is being picked and packed in the warehouse but hasn't been handed to a carrier yet. The "Change Address" button should still appear on your order details page. Once the status changes to "Shipped" and a tracking number appears, you can no longer change it through Amazon.

What happens if I change my address and the package is already out for delivery?

If the carrier has already picked up the package for delivery that day, address changes typically cannot be processed. Contact the carrier's customer service with your tracking number and ask about redirect options. If redirection isn't possible, refuse the package when it arrives and reorder to the correct address.

Can I change the address on a Prime Now or same-day delivery order?

Same-day and next-day orders move through Amazon's system very quickly, and the window to change the address is often just a few hours. Check your order details when ready after placing it — if the "Change Address" button is still there, you can use it. For same-day orders, contact Amazon customer service by phone or chat if you need to change the address after the window has closed.

If I refuse delivery, do I get my money back?

Yes. When you refuse a package, it's returned to Amazon and your refund is processed automatically. The refund typically appears in your account within 5 to 10 business days, depending on your payment method. You can then place a new order with the correct address.

How do I know if someone else changed my address without permission?

Check your email for order confirmations you don't recognize, and review Your Orders for items you didn't purchase. If you see orders shipped to an unfamiliar address, that's a strong sign of unauthorized access. Go to Your Account and check whether your email address, phone number, or payment methods have been changed. If anything looks wrong, change your password and contact Amazon customer service.