Can You Drop Off DHL Packages at USPS?

Can you drop off DHL Packages at USPS? That’s what we will cover today.

Because believe it or not, this is a yes and no answer.

Some DHL packages can be dropped off at a USPS Post Office with no problems at all. In most situations, however, you will be told it’s not possible.

Let’s take a look…

General DHL Services Cannot be Dropped at USPS

If you are dropping off a DHL package where you have paid DHL for the service and have obtained a DHL tracking number, you will not be able to drop it off at the post office.

It will not have a USPS tracking number and the post office will not accept it.

DHL is under no arrangement to visit the post office in order to collect the package.

Furthermore, USPS has not received any money to deliver it, or even pass it on to DHL.

You are using DHL services for your delivery, so you will either need to arrange DHL pickup or head to a DHL drop-off location.

• Related Content: What Does “En route to DHL eCommerce Distribution Center” Mean?

Situations Where you CAN Drop DHL Packages to USPS

You can drop off a DHL package at the post office when using a hybrid service that sees DHL and USPS working together.

One such service is DHL SmartMail. This is an eCommerce DHL solution that is designed for B2C (business to customers) enterprises, shipping products to customers.

There is a U.S. domestic and international version of the service and is designed for the shipment of small eCommerce packages.

• Related Content: DHL Shipment on Hold: What Should You Do?

DHL eCommerce (SmartMail) and USPS

When sending a package via DHL eCommerce from the USA, the sender has the option to drop off their package at their local USPS Post Office.

USPS will then ship this to a central sorting facility. The package is then handed to DHL which will ship it to the locale of its final destination.

For international shipments, the local postal service in the destination country will carry out “the last mile of delivery”. In the U.S, the last mile will either be carried out by DHL or USPS.

• Related Content: What Does “Arrival Destination DHL eCommerce Facility” Mean?

DHL SmartMail Returns

eCommerce companies that use DHL SmartMail can also offer the option of return package drop off via USPS.

This allows customers of the eCommerce company to return parcels by placing them directly in their mailbox or at any USPS Post Office or collection site.

We will be publishing a dedicated article about DHL SmartMail soon. However, it is important to realize that this is open to eCommerce companies (and therefore their customers) only.

If the online store you have ordered a product from isn’t using SmartMail, you will not be able to drop off your DHL package return at USPS.

• Related Content: DHL Change Delivery Address & Redirect – Complete Guide

Final Words

The majority of DHL packages ordered through DHL cannot be dropped off at USPS locations.

The exceptions are packages and returns sent using the DHL eCommerce SmartMail service.

Only here, will you or your customers be able to drop DHL packages at the post office and participating collection points?

Fundamentally, DHL and USPS are competing services. In normal circumstances, the infrastructure and delivery processes are carried out completely independently.

In other words, don’t be surprised if you are turned away when attempting to drop off a DHL package at your local post office.

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