gopost®
frequently asked questions

gopost is a new, convenient way to receive and ship packages, only from the United States Postal Service^®. gopost units are automated, secured, self-service parcel lockers placed in convenient locations where you can pick up or ship packages at your convenience. And at no additional cost to you. This service is currently in a "test" phase.

Anytime. You can access gopost units 24 hours a day, 7 days a week so you can pick up or ship out packages when it suits your schedule without having to go to the Post Office^™—as long as the gopost unit is operational and available to the public.

gopost units are located at convenient locations to accommodate your busy lifestyle. The Postal Service is installing units near certain Post Offices^™, grocery stores, pharmacies, transportation hubs, shopping centers and more. Find gopost locations.

Each gopost unit contains dozens of individual lockers that can be used to receive or ship packages. Once you register for gopost, you will receive an account number/access card and PIN so you can access the unit. You will not be assigned a specific locker; rather, packages are placed in available lockers that may accommodate the size of your package. If you use the gopost unit as your shipping address, your packages will be delivered there. You can also use the gopost unit to ship your prepaid packages. Once you register and begin using gopost units, you will receive communication through email or text notifications. To help ensure you receive emails properly, please check your mail filter so that emails from the U.S. Postal Service, usps.com and gopost are allowed.

Follow these steps when ordering an item:

1. Determine the gopost address of the unit where you would like to pick-up your shipment. The gopost address contains the gopost unit number followed by the word "gopost". Find gopost locations.

2. Place and complete your order from your desired merchant (e.g., via online, telephone). If the merchant offers a choice, select the U.S. Postal Service as your shipper. If not, we are partnering with key shipping competitors to assure your packages are delivered successfully to our gopost units in most instances.

3. When asked for the shipping address, use your name, gopost account number and the address of the gopost unit (as shown in example below) where you want to receive your shipment. You must include your gopost account number so that we can notify you when the package arrives. Do not include the gopost location street address number and street name in the address.

When USPS^® delivers your package to a gopost unit, you will receive an email or text notification that you have a package to pick up. Simply visit the gopost unit to pick up your package. If a properly-sized locker is not immediately available for your package, you will be notified that it will soon be available for pick-up at the gopost unit. Your package will be given the highest delivery priority for the next available locker of the proper size.

Remember: You must be registered to use the gopost service.

When your package is delivered to the gopost unit, you will receive an email and/or text message (you specify preference).

To pick up a package at a gopost unit:

1. Scan your gopost card and enter your PIN on the gopost user screen; the screen will display the locker where your package was delivered and the locker will light up and automatically unlock.*

2. Open the locker and remove your package. The locker will shut and lock automatically only after it is empty.

3. If you requested a receipt, collect the paper receipt from the unit. Once you have removed your package, you will automatically receive an electronic receipt via email or text.

(*) If your package requires a signature, you will be instructed to sign your name directly on the screen using your finger before the locker will unlock.

You have a maximum of 15 days to pick up your package at a gopost unit (exception: 5 days for Prioriy Mail Express^™). After 15 days, the package will be returned to the sender. International packages will be removed from the unit after 15 days and taken to a nearby post office. You will be notified of the post office's address. After 15 days at the post office, the package will be returned to sender.

Yes. Just make sure you ask the sender to use the correct address format including your account number.

Your package must have a label that indicates that postage has been prepaid with a barcode that enables tracking. Acceptable labels include: Click-N-Ship^®, PC Postage^®, and merchant-paid Return Services. The gopost units cannot currently dispense postage.

To ship a package:

1. Visit any convenient gopost unit to send a pre-paid barcoded package. Find gopost locations.

2. Scan your gopost card and enter your PIN on the gopost screen.

3. Select "Ship Packages".

4. Scan the USPS^® barcode label on the front of the package using the unit's barcode scanner and follow instructions on the screen to complete your transaction.

5. If you requested a receipt, collect your paper receipt from the unit. You will automatically receive an electronic receipt via email or text.

While we prefer you choose the U.S. Postal Service for your shipping needs, we understand that many online merchants do not offer a clear choice of shippers. For receiving packages using gopost, we are partnering with key shipping competitors to enable your online orders to be delivered to your preferred gopost unit address. For shipping packages using gopost, USPS package services are required. USPS^® package mail classes allowed include: any Priority Mail^® or Priority Mail Express mail piece; other package types that are at least 3/4" thick. Postal Service mailing regulations apply. Our gopost units also accept your Return Merchandise Labels to make your returns even easier.

There are three locker sizes at each gopost unit to accommodate various size packages:

• Large: up to 12"W x 15"D x 18-1/2"H (maximum size)

• Medium: up to 12"W x 15"D x 6-3/4"H

• Small: up to 12"W x 15"D x 3"H

Our National Address Management Service recognizes gopost addresses and formats as acceptable for addressing packages. If the sender will not accept the gopost unit address, please contact the sender and discuss this with them.

• Letters or flat-sized envelopes less than 3/4" thick (other than Priority or Priority Mail Express)

• Packages larger than the maximum size (12"W x 15"D x 18-1/2"H)

• Packages received/shipped with the following Extra Services: Certified Mail^®, Return Receipt (hardcopy "green card"), Collect On Delivery (COD), Registered Mail, Adult Signature, Restricted Delivery, and Special Handling.

Prohibited items may be returned to sender. For packages too large for gopost, USPS will hold the package at a nearby Post Office and will send you the Post Office's address via email/text.

Inbound packages that do not require customs fees can be received via the gopost unit. International Extra Services that cannot be included are Restricted Delivery, Registered Mail, and Return Receipt.

Outbound international and APO/FPO packages cannot be shipped via the gopost unit at this time.

You are not required to use gopost for all your packages. You can use gopost for specific incoming packages or for as many incoming packages as you wish. You have control over where you want to receive your packages based on the address you provide the shipper—home, work or gopost.

To register and get authenticated for gopost, follow these quick and easy steps:

1. Go to gopost.com and click the Register button. To register for gopost, you need to sign in or sign up for a USPS.com account (it's free).

2. Enter all required information for USPS.com and gopost - including a Personal Identification Number (PIN) and your preferred authentication option. (For details, see step 3.)

   You'll receive an email confirming that you are pre-registered for gopost with your gopost account number. You should receive your gopost card and packet in the mail within 7-10 days.

3. The next step for completing your registration is authentication. You may select one of two options:

   1. Authenticate at gopost unit: This option allows you to start using gopost immediately to receive packages - even before you receive your gopost card and packet in the mail.

      To authenticate your account at a gopost unit, simply scan your Driver's License or state-issued ID card on the screen display at a gopost unit. (You can do this when you log in to pick up your first package.) Once your ID is accepted, you will receive an email confirming that you have a fully activated account and you may then use gopost to ship and receive packages.

   2. Authenticate at Post Office^™: If you select this option, you must wait until you have received the gopost packet in the mail. Once you authenticate at a Post Office, you will receive an email confirming that your account is fully activated for sending or receiving packages.

      To authenticate your account at a Post Office, take the completed Authentication Sheet and gopost card you received in the mail to a location listed at gopost.com/poauthentication. Show a government-issued picture ID. We will then send you an email confirming that you have a fully activated account.

Your new gopost account and card is for you only. Like a credit or debit card, only you should use your gopost card and assigned PIN. Other adults (18 or over) interested in using gopost may register free of charge for their own account, card, and PIN.

NOTE: For gopost, you must register as an individual even if you are a business user; gopost accounts are issued in the names of individuals, not companies.

To make changes to your gopost account), go to gopost.com and click Register or edit your account. Once you sign in, you make changes to your account information.

Yes. To order a replacement card, go to gopost.com and click Register or edit your account. Once you sign in, you can select "Replace Lost Card" under Special Requests and request a new gopost card.

When you register for gopost, you specify notification and authentication options and are required to select a Personal Identification Number (PIN). The USPS requires customer authentication to meet security requirements.

If you would like to start receiving packages through gopost right away and you prefer to authenticate at the gopost unit, select this option during the registration process at gopost.com. If you select this option, you'll need to provide your Driver's License or state-issued ID number during the online registration process and your gopost account will be temporarily authorized.

To complete the authentication step, simply scan the barcode on the back of your ID at the gopost unit. If the information matches what you provided online, you will receive an email that your temporary account has been fully activated and you may send and receive packages once your account is activated.

Important: Your temporary gopost unit account authorization allows you to log into the gopost unit up to three (3) times to pick up packages that you have sent to the unit. After that, if you have not received confirmation that your account is activated, your account will be suspended and you must authenticate your account at a Post Office location listed at gopost.com/poauthentication.

If you prefer to authenticate your gopost account at a Post Office, take the completed Authentication Sheet and gopost card you received in the mail to a Post Office listed at gopost.com/poauthentication. You will need to present a government-issued picture ID. Once your information is logged into our systems by Post Office personnel, you will receive an email confirming that you have a fully activated account and you may begin using gopost to send and receive packages at a gopost unit.

If you attend a special event, we conduct an authentication on-the-spot and ask you complete the registration process at gopost.com. At some events, terminals are available to complete the online registration, or you may choose to complete the process at your convenience at gopost.com. If you receive your card at a special event, be sure to check the box that indicates that you attended a special event when you register online and type in your account number before you submit your completed registration.

Yes. When completing online registration for gopost, customers needing special service accessibility can select a Mobility/Reach Constraints and/or Visual Impairment accessibility option. Selecting the Mobility/Reach Constraints option will restrict deliveries and shipments to lower doors in the gopost locker unit for those with stated mobility/reach constraints needs. Selecting the Visual Impairment option will enable a customer to receive (via mail) a special visual impairment service accessibility account card along with their gopost registration packet. This option also restricts deliveries and shipments to enhanced accessibility lockers placed directly adjacent to the gopost unit terminal. For both options, availability of enhanced service accessibility lockers is not guaranteed. Customers in need of mobility/reach AND visual impairment accessibility can select BOTH options. Current gopost customers needing to change to mobility/reach accessibility may edit their existing account to obtain this option. Current gopost customers needing to change to the visual impairment accessibility option must register for a new account to receive their visual impairment service accessibility account card and new unique account number.

For the most up-to-date information and usage terms, you may also call 1-USPS-MY GOPOST (1-877-769-4676). Be sure to have your gopost account number available.