Changing an Amazon delivery date is often possible, but the ability to do so depends entirely on the current status of your order and the type of item purchased. Amazon allows customers to manage scheduled deliveries to better fit their personal schedule, provided the package has not progressed too far through the fulfillment process. The option to modify the delivery date is not universally available and is subject to specific timing and product constraints. Understanding the precise window for changes and the exact steps to follow can help ensure a successful delivery date adjustment.
The Crucial Window: When Can You Change the Delivery Date?
The opportunity to modify a delivery date exists primarily during the Order Processing phase, which is a relatively narrow window of time. Once an order moves past this initial stage and its status changes to Shipping Soon or Shipped, the ability to make changes through the Amazon interface typically ends. This occurs because control of the package transfers from Amazon’s internal systems to a third-party carrier (such as UPS or FedEx) or Amazon’s own logistics network.
At the point of carrier hand-off, the package is physically sorted and placed onto a specific route, making immediate, system-wide changes impossible. The option to reschedule often becomes grayed out or disappears entirely once the item is in transit. To maximize your chances of rescheduling, attempt to make the change as soon as possible after placing the order, while the item is still being prepared at the fulfillment center.
Step-by-Step Guide to Modifying Delivery Instructions
To attempt a delivery date modification, navigate to the Your Orders section of your Amazon account. Locate the specific order you wish to adjust and examine the details page. If the order is eligible for modification, you will typically see an option labeled Change Delivery Options or Reschedule displayed near the estimated delivery date.
Clicking this button prompts a calendar showcasing available new delivery dates. Note that you cannot manually select any date you prefer; the system only offers dates that are logistically viable for that specific shipment. After selecting a new date, confirm the change to update your order details. If the option is not visible, the order is likely no longer eligible for a date change through the Amazon system.
Situations Where Delivery Modification Is Not Possible
The ability to adjust a delivery date is not solely dependent on the order status; certain product and seller types are inherently excluded. Orders fulfilled by third-party sellers, even those using Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), often have limited modification controls available to the customer. When the seller handles their own shipping, Amazon’s system is unable to interface with external logistics to change the schedule.
Certain categories of items are also ineligible for customer-requested date changes. Heavy or bulky items requiring specialized freight scheduling, such as large appliances or furniture, are typically delivered within a pre-arranged delivery window that cannot be altered via the standard order page. Digital goods and gift cards, which do not require physical shipment, also lack a delivery date to modify. In these scenarios, the Change Delivery Options button will be absent or unclickable.
Alternative Delivery Options if You Miss the Window
If the order has already shipped and the modification window has closed, options remain to prevent a missed delivery. One common solution is to redirect the package to an alternative Amazon pickup location. Search for the nearest Amazon Hub Locker or Counter and change the delivery address to that location, allowing you to pick up the item at your convenience within a set timeframe.
You can also use the specific carrier’s management tools once the tracking number becomes available. Carriers like UPS and FedEx offer services, such as UPS My Choice or FedEx Delivery Manager, which allow recipients to reroute packages or request a hold at a local facility. This requires the package to be fully in the carrier’s possession and the use of the tracking information provided in your Amazon order details.
Handling Specific Types of Orders
Subscribe & Save Orders
Orders placed through the Subscribe & Save program have a unique management interface for delivery scheduling. To change the delivery date for a recurring subscription, navigate to the Manage Your Subscriptions section of your account. Within this portal, select the specific subscription and find an option to change the next delivery date, allowing you to select a new day of the month for that and future shipments.
Pre-Orders
For pre-orders, the delivery date is flexible until the product’s official release date, as the item has not yet entered the fulfillment process. You can generally adjust the shipping speed or delivery date in the order details without restriction until the item is released.
Signature Required Items
Items requiring an adult signature upon delivery, common for high-value goods, may need direct coordination with the carrier after the first delivery attempt to arrange a specific time or hold at a facility.