You can use a PO Box as your Return Address, but you still need a physical address to buy labels on Pirate Ship
A PO Box Can Be Used as a Return Address: While you can use a PO Box as your Return Address in Pirate Ship, you will still need a physical address to successfully buy postage.
Why a Physical Address is Required: USPS needs a physical address on file for every shipper for two reasons:
1. Postage rates are calculated based on where you're physically shipping from, and USPS also needs to know where to pick up packages from if you request a pickup.
2. USPS legally requires it 😉
Setting a different origin Zip code from your Return Address
Correctly Use a PO Box as a Return Address: To ensure your Ship From Address is set up correctly, we recommend setting a different Origin Zip Code from your Return Address!
Designating Your Ship From Address: You'll begin this process by heading to your Settings > Ship From Addresses.
You can either edit your existing Ship From Address or create a new one entirely. From there, your page will look something like this:
Enter Your Physical Address: The "Physical Address" field is where you would want to enter your home address or the actual address of your Post Office 👌 This will only be used to calculate the correct amount of postage, and won't appear on your shipping labels.
Add a Different Return Address & Enter Your PO Box Info: By unchecking the box next to "Use this address as the Return Address on my shipping labels," you'll be able to enter a separate Return Address 🎉
You'll want to enter your PO Box address here, as this will be the address that prints on your labels.
If you're shipping with UPS
USPS Won't Accept Packages Going to PO Boxes: As a general rule of thumb, UPS won't accept any packages addressed to PO Boxes. Since this is the case, we don't suggest using a PO Box as your Return Address if you're shipping with UPS 🙈
You'll still be able to buy UPS labels if you do, but if UPS has to return a package to you, getting it delivered to your PO Box will prove tricky and may result in some additional surcharges.
Learn about the UPS surcharges you may incur on Pirate Ship.
Still hitting rough waters? Chat with ARRrrr Support Crew!
Need some help getting your PO Box Return Address set up, or have any other questions in general? Our support team is happy to lend a hook! Just click the blue chat button and we'll have you sailing on smooth waters in no time ⛵