Are you expecting a package from DHL, but aren’t sure whether they’ll be able to deliver to your PO box?
While PO boxes are a great way to safely receive packages, they do tend to have more restrictions then mailing to a regular address.
So, can DHL deliver to a PO box, and if not, what should you do instead?
In this article, I’ll be covering everything that you need to know!
Does DHL Ship To PO Boxes?
DHL is not able to deliver directly to PO boxes within the United States, due to legal restrictions put in place by the government.
Because USPS PO boxes are considered federal property, only USPS is allowed to legally make deliveries to them. In fact, the same holds true for mailboxes as well.
If DHL were to deliver to the PO box anyway, they could be fined up to $10,000 for doing so.
That being said, DHL and USPS have a strong partnership, and DHL often tenders packages to USPS for final delivery – particularly for ‘DHL eCommerce’ shipments.
Since DHL accounts for less than 1% of deliveries by some estimates, their operations are quite small compared to other couriers in the United States. So, handing packages to USPS for final delivery makes a lot of sense.
When this happens, your DHL package can end up in your PO box, since USPS themselves are the ones actually doing the final delivery.
There is one other situation in which you can receive DHL packages in your PO box, which I’ll cover in just a moment.
Note however that other countries like Canada may also have this same restriction. That being said, DHL operates in hundreds of countries, and local laws may vary. So, if your country does allow packages from third-party couriers to mail to PO boxes, chances are DHL is covered within this too.
Exception – You’ve Signed Up For USPS Premium PO Box Service Enhancements
Did you know that USPS offers a service, that allows you to get an actual mailing address to ship packages to?
This is known as the ‘street addressing’ service, and is considered a premium PO box service enhancement.
With this service, you are able to receive packages from couriers that require an actual mailing address, like Fedex, UPS, and of course, DHL as well.
When the package arrives, USPS will redeliver it to your PO box on their own.
However, this service is very obscure, and is rarely used. This is partly due to the fact that it is only available in a relatively small number of locations.
To find out if it is available where you live, visit or contact your local post office branch to inquire. You can also learn more by viewing their customer agreement form here.
Per the form, it clearly states:
“You may also use Street Addressing Service to receive packages that comply with USPS mailing standards deposited by private carriers, such as UPS, FedEx, DHL, and Amazon.”
So, this service is perfect for receiving DHL packages!
Tip: Consider Getting A UPS Box!
If you want to receive packages in your PO box but your local post office doesn’t offer street addressing services, what should you do?
Personally, I’d recommend renting a UPS box instead!
UPS boxes work just like the PO boxes you’d rent from USPS. However, because you get an actual shipping address when signing up for one, you’re able to receive packages from any courier without needing to make any special arrangements, DHL included!
UPS boxes tend to run for $10 a month for smaller ones, all the way up to $50 a month for their largest sizes.
Considering that a UPS box is much more flexible than a standard PO box, it’s seriously worth considering!
Conclusion
In the United States and Canada, DHL is unable to deliver to a PO box unless the package has been tendered to USPS, or another courier that is able to legally deliver to PO boxes in your country.
That being said, DHL operates in over 220 countries, and different areas may have their own laws regarding delivery to PO boxes.
I hope that you’ve found this article helpful, and that it’s answered your questions.
If you have any other questions about receiving deliveries from DHL, please ask them using the comment form below!
Wishing you the best,
– James McAllister