Yes — you can change your delivery date in most cases. After a missed delivery, carriers let you reschedule (USPS redelivery, UPS reschedule, FedEx reschedule). Even before a missed attempt, you can often hold the package for pickup on a date you choose, or use delivery-management tools to pick a delivery window.
Changing the date is different from changing the address (which moves the package elsewhere) or stopping it. It's also lighter than intercepting — you're simply rescheduling when the package arrives. For signature-required packages, rescheduling helps avoid repeated missed signature deliveries.
If the package is already out for delivery, it's usually too late to change the date that day — you'd wait for the missed-delivery notice and then reschedule, or hold for pickup.
What It Means
How to Change Delivery Date by Carrier
- USPS: schedule a redelivery for a chosen date after a missed attempt, or request a hold and pick up when ready.
- UPS: use UPS My Choice to reschedule, hold for pickup, or pick a delivery window (paid tier for some options).
- FedEx: use FedEx Delivery Manager to reschedule or hold at a location.
- All carriers: if the package is in transit but not yet out for delivery, a hold or reschedule is most reliable.
Changing Date vs. Other Options
- Change address: different destination.
- Stop/intercept: pause or return.
- Delivery instructions: where to leave, not when.
Why It Happens
Why Carriers Let You Reschedule
Rescheduling reduces failed delivery attempts and delivery exceptions. Each failed attempt costs the carrier money, so they'd rather you pick a date you'll be home or hold for pickup. Signature packages especially benefit, since a missed signature delivery triggers another attempt cycle.
How Long It Lasts
When You Can Still Change the Date
- Best: before the first attempt (set a hold or reschedule in the carrier app).
- After a missed attempt: use the redelivery tool to pick a new date.
- Too late: once out for delivery — wait for the missed-delivery notice, then reschedule.
Should You Be Concerned?
Should You Be Concerned?
Rescheduling is routine. Be concerned if the package is time-sensitive (rescheduling pushes the date out), or if repeated missed deliveries suggest an address problem or misdelivery issue. If the package is stuck in transit, rescheduling may not help — the issue is the transit, not the date.
What You Can Do
What You Can Do
- Use the carrier's reschedule tool — USPS redelivery, UPS My Choice, FedEx Delivery Manager.
- Hold for pickup on your chosen date — see USPS hold, UPS hold, FedEx hold.
- For signature packages, schedule when you'll be home — see signature delivery.
- If you need to move it elsewhere, see change delivery address.
- To stop delivery entirely, see stop a package in transit or recall.
When to Contact the Carrier
When to Contact the Carrier
Use the carrier's self-service tools first. If rescheduling fails or the package is delivered but not received despite a reschedule, contact support. For packages stuck in the reschedule loop, see how long should I wait before reporting a lost package.