USPS drop off locations include Post Offices, blue collection boxes, Approved Shipper retail stores, self-service kiosks, and your own mailbox through free Package Pickup. Use the official USPS Locator to find the nearest one and its hours. Which option you can use depends on your postage and package size.
Last updated: October 2026 ยท How we researched this: we checked official USPS pages, the Federal Register notice that sets the rules for stamped mail in collection boxes, and recent coverage of USPS postmark changes.
Key takeaways
- Packages with a printed prepaid label can go almost anywhere: counter, blue box (if it fits), Approved Shipper or pickup.
- Stamp-only mail over 10 ounces or thicker than 1/2 inch must be handed in at a Post Office.
- Package Pickup from your home is free for most scheduled next-day pickups.
- Check the last pickup time on blue boxes. Late drops ship the next business day.
- For deadline mail, get a counter receipt or postmark as proof of mailing.
Types of USPS drop off locations compared
| Location | Prepaid label packages | Stamp-only items over 10 oz | Buy postage there | Receipt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Post Office counter | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Post Office lobby drop slot | Yes, if it fits | No | No | No |
| Blue collection box | Yes, if it fits | No | No | No |
| Self-Service Kiosk (in some Post Offices) | Yes | Yes, if postage bought at kiosk | Yes | Yes |
| Approved Shipper store | Yes | Ask the store | Yes, most services | Yes |
| Package Pickup (your home) | Yes | No | No | Pickup confirmation |
Post Offices
The counter accepts everything and gives you a receipt with a tracking number. Many Post Offices also have lobbies open longer than the counter, with a package drop slot. Hours differ a lot, so check before you go.
Blue collection boxes
Blue boxes are fine for letters and small packages with a printed label. Each box lists its last pickup time. Never leave a package on top of or next to a full box.
Approved Shippers and other retail partners
Approved Shippers are independent businesses, such as pack-and-ship stores, that sell popular USPS services. They are handy when the Post Office is closed or has long lines. Some also sell boxes and packing help.
How to find USPS drop off locations near you
- Open the official USPS Locator.
- Enter your ZIP code, city or address.
- Choose the location type: Post Office, Approved Shipper, Collection Box or Self-Service Kiosk.
- Open a result to see retail hours, lobby hours and last collection times.
- Use the directions link, or save the location in your phone’s maps app.
Tip: filter for collection boxes with late pickup times. Boxes at main Post Offices and processing plants are often collected later in the day.
The 10-ounce rule for stamped packages
For security reasons, mail that uses only stamps and weighs more than 10 ounces, or is more than 1/2 inch thick, cannot go in a collection box. You must hand it to a Post Office employee. The rule is set out in a 2019 Federal Register notice.
This rule does not apply to packages with a printed online label, such as Click-N-Ship or labels from shipping software. Those can go in a box or slot if they fit. Items left in a box against the rule are returned to the sender.
Skip the trip: free USPS Package Pickup
If your packages already have postage, you can schedule a pickup on usps.com. Your carrier collects them during the next regular delivery.
- Free: standard pickup on your next delivery day for eligible services such as Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express and Ground Advantage.
- Paid: Pickup on Demand at a specific time window costs extra.
- Tell the carrier where: front door, side door, mailbox or another spot.
This is popular with small online sellers. If you are starting a store, our guides to setting up a Shopify store and the best free Shopify apps cover discounted label printing.
Drop-off checklist and common mistakes
- Cover old labels and barcodes on reused boxes, or the package may be routed wrong.
- Take a photo of the label before you drop it off.
- Get a receipt for valuable items. A blue box gives you no proof until the first scan.
- Deadline mail: machine postmarks may not match the day you dropped it. Ask the counter for a manual postmark or a Certificate of Mailing.
- Returns: prepaid return labels from stores work at any of the options above.
Once it is sent, learn what each USPS tracking status means. If it does not show up, read our lost USPS package guide.
USPS Drop Off Locations FAQ
Can I drop off a prepaid USPS package in a blue mailbox?
Yes, if it has a printed postage label and fits through the slot. Packages paid only with stamps that weigh over 10 ounces or are thicker than 1/2 inch must go to a Post Office counter.
Can I drop off USPS packages at other stores?
Yes, at USPS Approved Shipper locations, which are independent retailers that offer USPS services. Find them with the Approved Shipper filter in the USPS Locator.
Can I leave a package for my mail carrier?
Yes. Schedule a free Package Pickup on usps.com for your next delivery day, or put small prepaid packages in your mailbox if they fit. The carrier will scan them when collected.
Is there a USPS drop off open 24 hours?
Some Post Office lobbies and self-service kiosks are open 24 hours, and blue boxes are always available. Check each location’s lobby hours in the USPS Locator.
Conclusion
The best USPS drop off location depends on your postage. Prepaid label packages can go in a box, an Approved Shipper or a free pickup. Stamped items over 10 ounces, and anything that needs a receipt, belong at the Post Office counter.
