We can only receive mail and packages for a person who has their own verified account with us. So if a package or letter arrives in someone else’s name — a friend, a relative, or “care of” you — it can’t be released to you just because it came to your mailbox number. There are two fixes:
- The named person opens their own account and verifies. Registration is free, and verifying is free in person — see verify in person. From then on, packages in their name go to their own account, under their own Customer ID.
- Or ask the sender to resend it in your name, with your Customer ID on the label — see how to address your packages.
Why the Rule Exists
In Out Parcel is a private mail centre registered with USPS to receive mail for you (a CMRA). USPS requires us to have a signed Form 1583 and ID on file for each person we receive mail for — so the person named on the package needs their own verified account, not a spot on yours.
This is different from someone picking up for you. A friend can collect your packages with your PIN, or as an authorized user — see can someone else pick up my packages?. What they can’t do is receive their own mail on your account.
”Care Of” Letters
Letters addressed to someone “c/o” you follow the same rule, with one extra step: letter mail has to be turned on before the letter arrives. Letter mail is off (Do Not Accept) until you opt in, so set it up first — see how to set up letter mail.
Ordering for Someone Else
Buying a gift or ordering on a family member’s behalf? Put your name and Customer ID on the shipping label, and it’s simply your package — you can hand it over after pickup.
Unsure about a package that’s already on its way? Send us a message with the tracking number and we’ll tell you what we can do.