Shipping plans can change: the consumer might move, a business might change its shipping address, or unforeseen delays might require faster shipping. Often, the core question asks about: Can the destination change during the shipment?Change the Destination Mid-Shipment
In short of it, the answer is yes. You can reroute a shipment. There is a right way for rerouting a shipment with a wrong way for doing it. Changing the delivery destination requires communication, proper timing, and knowledge of the carrier’s procedures.
This guide will walk you through what it means toward rerouting a shipment, what to expect with a shipping reroute, and how companies like Carson Shipping help with this.
Understand Whether Your Shipment Is Eligible for Rerouting
Before you change the destination, ensure that your shipment can go toward another location.
✔ Check the shipment’s current status
For most carriers, the destination may change at any point up until the last distribution terminal, though rerouting is much less common afterward.
✔ Review carrier policies
Rules exist for air freight, ground freight, and shipments across the ocean, for example:
- Some international shipments cannot be rerouted once customs clearance has started.
- Hazardous materials cannot change destinations mid-shipment.
- Oversized or container shipments may require new paperwork.
✔ Confirm restrictions with your carrier
If you use a freight forwarder like Carson Shipping, their customer support should know what is and is not possible for your specific case. Just ask!
Expert Tip:
Act fast. Contacting the shipping company earlier makes it more likely the request is fulfilled.
Gather All Required Shipment Information
To reroute your delivery on its way, a complete and accurate address must be submitted with your request, or it may face delay or denial.
Details you should prepare:
- Original tracking number
- Current delivery address
- New destination address
- Shipper’s name and contact information
- Recipient’s name and contact details
- Any order or reference numbers associated with the shipment
This helps the carrier identify you and approve the change.
Why accuracy matters
Small problems like missing apartment numbers, incorrect apartment numbers, missing ZIP codes, or incorrect ZIP codes may cause delays since a shipment during transit needs clear data for proper re-routing.
Contact the Shipping Company Immediately
Time is the most important factor in requesting a change of destination. Transportation networks develop quickly, and offer fewer options over time.
How to make the request:
- Call customer service directly.
- A phone call is faster than email and reduces the risk of the shipment moving to the next facility before your request is processed.
- Confirm rerouting fees.
- Many carriers charge a fee to update the delivery location, especially for long-distance changes.
- Provide your new destination address.
- Ensure it’s complete, including building numbers, suites, and postal codes.
- Request updated tracking information.
- Once the address is changed, the carrier should supply new tracking updates or milestones.
Working with Carson Shipping
While also providing dedicated service, companies like Carson Shipping help you have a hands-on approach and coordinate your logistics operations much faster than other major carriers, thus reducing complications and turnaround time.
Approve Any Necessary Documents or Fees
Rerouting changes may also require the generation of additional paperwork or the carrying out of further actions.
Possible requirements:
- Updated bill of lading
- New customs documents (for international cargo)
- Additional rerouting or handling fees
- Identity verification
New delivery authorization
Switching the destination of an international shipment requires additional declarations and a longer delivery time; for domestic shipments, fewer changes are required but more costs are involved.
Don’t skip the confirmation
If the carrier says they have updated your address, politely request that they send a confirmation email or text, to remove ambiguity about what was recorded.
Track the Rerouted Shipment and Prepare for Delivery
It may take some time before you see these tracking updates after the address change.
What to look for:
- Confirmation of reroute approval
- The new transit route
- The revised expected delivery date
- Any delays due to reprocessing
Tracking shipment helps you know it has been rerouted and that you are prepared to receive it.
Prepare for the new delivery location
If it is a residence, business, or warehouse, make provisions so that someone is available to receive the delivery.
For example:
- A freight shipment may require a forklift or liftgate.
- Some residential areas don’t allow certain truck sizes.
- A business delivery may require gate clearance or appointment scheduling.
- Carson Shipping helps coordinate delivery logistics so you can avoid last-minute issues.
Final Tips for Changing a Shipment Destination Smoothly
When a shipment needs to be redirected to a new address, after you make a redirect request, write down the shipment ID number, the pickup address, the new address, complete destination address, a contact phone number, and any special delivery instructions, and then call the carrier. Let the carrier know about the address change, confirm all delivery charges, verify if the delivery date has changed, ask for a written confirmation of the change, and track the shipment number. If the tracking number does not move towards the new address, notify the carrier. Using a reputable shipping company like Carson Shipping may help if you need to change delivery instructions or redirect your shipment.
If you change your mind about a domestic delivery or ship a load through complex freight movements, our teams will work so your shipment reaches its destination as quickly as possible.
Contact Carson Shipping to learn about flexible shipping options or request a destination change.
