Why USPS Says "No Access to Delivery Location"

What does “no access to delivery location” mean?

Your mail person could not reach your mailbox. No matter the reason why, “No Access to Delivery Location” means your carrier was not able to deliver your package due to something preventing them from reaching your mailbox, home, or apartment. Common complications include a vehicle blocking your mailbox or driveway, animal interferences such a loose dog or insects and their nests, emergency responders, road closings, bad weather, and car accidents.

Your address is in a gated community. Sometimes, mail carriers run into problems accessing locked or gated communities. If they were unable to get past a locked entrance, it’s unlikely they were able to successfully deliver your package.

Your address is not yet in the USPS database. If you have ruled out bad weather or traffic delays as reasons for your mail person to have been unable to reach your location, it’s possible that your address has not been entered into the USPS system yet. This is often because it is a newly created address or it was registered as a different address. You may continue to receive error messages until the address is officially part of the USPS database.

What to Do When You Receive the “No Access to Delivery Location” Status

Wait 24 hours. The first thing you should do after receiving the “No Access to Delivery Location” status is to simply, well, do nothing. USPS will automatically try to deliver the package again the next business day, but don't worry—USPS is still in possession of your parcel. To ensure the mail carrier has no further issues accessing your mailbox or porch the next day, go out and check to see that there is nothing blocking their way. If there’s not, simply wait for tomorrow.

Contact the post office. If you’re super worried about your package but it’s been less than 24 hours, you can still contact your local post office to try to get a better grasp on what may have happened. Explain the notification you received and ask what needs to be done to resolve the problem.

Contact USPS customer service. If your local post office can’t seem to help, contact the USPS Postal Service customer service hotline at 1-800-275-8777.

Submitting a Service Request to the USPS

Gather all of your information. If it’s been more than 24 hours since you received your “No Access to Delivery Location” notice and you still haven't received your package, begin the process of submitting a service request to your local post office by first collecting all information relevant to your situation. Important information that might be helpful to your case includes tracking numbers, receipts, photographs, and delivery dates.

Decide if you’ll submit your request over the phone or online. To submit your request via telephone, call your local USPS office. If you choose to use the online form, follow the prompts as you go.

Provide key details to submit your request. If you’re using the online form, make sure you check all the fields before sending your request. If you choose phone support, make sure you explain your concerns clearly to the USPS rep.

Preventing a Future “No Access to Delivery Location” Status

Add your address into the USPS system manually. If your address is new or it has recently been updated, find your local AMS office and schedule an appointment to visit them. They will make sure your address is current and in the system, in turn preventing any possible “No Access to Delivery Location” errors.

Use a parcel locker. The United States Postal Service provides parcel locker services. If they are located near you, you can request your package to be placed in a parcel locker for pickup.

Rent a PO box. PO boxes are a great option if you are worried about your carrier being unable to reach your mailbox or delivery location. You can choose which size box you’d like to rent and pay a monthly fee for as long as you’d like to keep it. To apply for a PO box, you’ll need to visit your local post office and apply in person with 2 forms of valid ID.