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Is it possible to order from an online store that ships via UPS so that I can pick it up while on vacation in the US? As I will be couch surfing I would like to send it to a "neutral" pick up station.

What would be the best approach to do this? Can I enter a pick up station as the recipient address of my order?

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    Does it have to be UPS? Or would shipping via the post (USPS) be an option? – Gagravarr Apr 4 '15 at 12:08
  • How big is the package? – Gayot Fow Apr 4 '15 at 17:08
  • Clarified title. You're not looking for a one-night-stand, it's about package delivery. – Gayot Fow Apr 4 '15 at 17:43
  • Depending on what it is, you may not need to have it delivered at all (see Amazon Locker for example). – Burhan Khalid Apr 5 '15 at 6:06
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When I needed something mailed in the US while travelling, I organised ahead with a hostel in Los Angeles. We were going to stay there anyway, and you might find they want you to book a night if you're going to collect mail from them, but give a hostel a call and see if they'll accept mail on your behalf - I've done it in several countries now with no problems.

(Wait, one problem, a package in Moscow never showed up. But generally it's worked fine).

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Both UPS and FedEX have a "hold at depot" option. You put your name on the package but their address plus "c/o UPS hold at depot".

The downside is the depots are usually in industrial parks near the airport with a complete lack of public transportation. You will need a car to go get it.

The delivery/pickup window is also limited - after 3-4 days they will send the package back.

If it can go regular mail you can use general delivery (as it is known in the US; also known as poste restante in much of the rest of the world). This doesn't work in big cities, but in smaller towns with only one post office they just put the package on the shelf until you show up.

If you are near either border there are receiving warehouses that will accept nearly anything. You will be charged a (reasonable) receiving and daily storage fee.

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    Yes, you can do general delivery in cities (with more than one ZIP code), but usually only one post office in the city handles this mail, and you need to find out which in advance, to get the correct ZIP code, and to locate the post office. – Michael Hampton Apr 7 '15 at 1:13
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    I should also note that, at least where I live, the city bus to the airport also runs right by the UPS warehouse. So you could exit the airport and pick up your stuff from UPS just minutes later. – Michael Hampton Apr 7 '15 at 1:19
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One option I recently found out about is Shipito. It is a company that offers a USA address (in fact it has a few adresses for you to choose from) for shipping things you buy online. They can hold your stuff for up to 90 days and they will charge you 1 dollar (+ shipping costs) to deliver your goods anywhere in the world.

I assume they can deliver in any american address, as well. You probably can pick up your stuff in their depots too, but perhaps, ship it to you may be cheaper than renting a car or a cab to go to one of their depots.

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