STANTON - Many Stanton residents have recently expressed frustration after discovering their packages are being routed to the local post office and, in some cases, returned to the sender because they list only a street address. According to the United States Postal Service, this issue stems from how mail delivery works in Stanton and how packages are addressed. USPS officials explain that Stanton is a PO Box–only delivery community. This means USPS does not deliver packages to residential or business street addresses within the city. All USPS package deliveries must include a valid Post Office Box number in order to be delivered. Confusion often arises when packages are shipped through UPS or FedEx. While these carriers transport many parcels into the area, they frequently rely on USPS to complete what is known as “last-mile delivery,” especially in rural or PO Box– only communities.
As a result, packages originally shipped by UPS or FedEx may be transferred to the Stanton Post Office for final delivery. When those packages arrive with only a street address and no PO Box number, USPS has no way to determine the correct recipient. In those cases, the package may be delayed or returned to the sender, leading to frustration for customers expecting delivery. To help prevent these issues, USPS has issued guidance on the proper use of “dual addressing,” which can be used when customers are unsure which carrier will deliver their package.
Dual addressing allows both a physical address and a PO Box number to appear on a shipping label, but the format must be correct. When ordering packages and unsure whether USPS, UPS, or FedEx will handle delivery, residents are encouraged to use one of the following approved formats: Abbreviated street address followed by the PO Box number Example: 1234 N St Peter #1838 ZIP Code plus PO Box number separated by a dash Example: 79782-1838 Some online retailers require a physical address and do not allow PO Boxes. In those situations, customers have successfully added their PO Box number after their name. Example: John Doe 1838 USPS also reminds residents that these guidelines apply only to packages. Letter mail should continue to be addressed directly to a PO Box, as USPS is the only carrier that delivers letters. Beginning February 1, 2026, the Stanton Post Office will begin returning any packages received without a PO Box number to the sender.
Officials say this policy is necessary to prevent misdelivery and ensure packages are placed in the correct box. USPS encourages Stanton residents to double-check their shipping addresses when ordering online and to always include their PO Box number. Doing so will help ensure packages arrive on time and avoid unnecessary returns. Residents with questions about addressing packages correctly may contact the Stanton Post Office for additional assistance.