Traveler's Guide: Mailboxes At The Airport?

Many people assume that there are mailboxes at the airport, especially if they need to mail something before boarding a flight. However, the availability of mailboxes at airports varies depending on the location. While some airports have mailboxes or even post offices within the terminal, others do not offer this convenience due to security regulations. It is always a good idea to check with the specific airport or look for alternative mailing options if you need to send something.

Airports with mailboxes

It can be tricky to locate a mailbox at an airport, and it's not always possible. Some airports have mailboxes located landside, while others may have courier boxes or mail slots airside. It's important to distinguish between "pre-security" and "post-security" locations. Pre-security locations are publicly accessible and act like any other mailbox, while post-security locations are behind security checkpoints and rely on airport staff or volunteers to deliver mail to a pre-security postal drop-off point.

• Frankfurt Airport (FRA) and Munich Airport (MUC) in Germany have mailboxes landside, with MUC also having a post office.
• London Heathrow Airport (LHR) has postboxes on both the landside and airside.
• Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) and Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) have airside mailboxes, with SIN also having landside mailboxes.
• Berlin Tegel Airport (TXL) had a landside mailbox, but the airport no longer exists.
• John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York has no mail drops available, but there is an update regarding this on the Airport Mailbox Project website.
• O'Hare International Airport (ORD) in Chicago does not have any mailboxes available.
• Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) may have mailboxes in Terminal D.
• Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) has a post office airside in Concourse D.
• San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has mailboxes outside the front doors of the terminal used by United Airlines.
• LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in New York used to have a post office downstairs outside security in the Central Terminal, but it is being shut down.
• Munich Airport (MUC) in Germany has a post office and mailboxes landside.
• Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) in Germany does not have any information available about mailboxes.
• Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in Washington, DC, has mailboxes inside security.
• Dulles International Airport (IAD) in Washington, DC, has mailboxes inside security.
• Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) has a mailbox by the F/G SkyClub.
• Lambert International Airport (STL) in St. Louis, Missouri, has a mailbox in Terminal 2.
• McCarran International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas, Nevada, has a mailbox in Terminal 1, near the Southwest Airlines check-in counters.
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) used to have a store near Terminal 83 where people could mail items, but it may be closed now.
• Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in Honolulu, Hawaii, has a drop box near Terminal 13.
• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) has a mailbox in the Atrium, near the Delta check-in counters.
• Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) did not have any mailboxes available as of 2024.
• Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) has a mailbox landside in Lounge 2.
• Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) has a mailbox landside in Terminal 3, near the information desk.
• Logan International Airport (BOS) in Boston, Massachusetts, has a mailbox in Terminal B, near the Delta check-in counters.
• Denver International Airport (DEN) has a post office and mailboxes inside the terminal.

For a comprehensive and updated list of airports with mailboxes, you can refer to the Airport Mailbox Project website, which provides detailed information on mailbox locations at airports worldwide.

Airports without mailboxes

While some airports do have mailboxes, many do not. Here is a list of airports without mailboxes:

• Amarillo, TX (AMA)
• Arcata/Eureka, CA (ACV)
• Bar Harbor, ME (BHB)
• Birmingham, AL (BHM)
• Buffalo (BUF)
• Central Wisconsin (CWA)
• Charlotte (CLT)
• Chattanooga (CHA)
• Cheyenne, WY (CYS)
• Chicago/O'Hare (ORD)
• Coastal Carolina (EWN)
• Columbus, GA (CSG)
• Duluth, MN (DLH)
• Evansville, IN (EVV)
• Fargo, ND (FAR)
• Fayetteville, AR (XNA)
• Florence, SC (FLO)
• Fort Wayne, IN (FWA)
• Hayden/Yampa Valley, CO (HDN)
• Hyannis/Cape Cod, MA (HYA)
• Kansas City, MO (MCI)
• Lafayette, LA (LFT)
• Long Beach, CA (LGB)
• Manchester, MA (MHT)
• Martha's Vineyard, MA (MVY)
• Midland, TX (MAF)
• Monroe, LA (MLU)
• Montrose, CO (MTJ)
• Myrtle Beach, SC (MYR)
• Nantucket, MA (ACK)
• Newark (EWR)
• New York/JFK (JFK)
• New York/LaGuardia (LGA)
• Oaxaca, Mexico (OAX)
• Philadelphia (PHL)
• Quebec City (YQB)
• St. George, UT (SGU)
• San Luis Obispo (SBP)
• Santa Rosa, CA (STS)
• Shreveport, LA (SHV)
• Sioux City, IA (SUX)
• Vail, CO (EGE)
• Berlin (BER)
• Bucharest, Romania (OTP)
• Moscow/Vnukovo (VNO)
• Panama City/Tocumen (PTY)
• San Jose, Costa Rica (SJO)
• Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (SDQ)
• Sint Maarten (SXM)
• Bogota (BOG)
• Buenos Aires/International (EZE)
• Doha (DOH)
• Dubai (DXB)
• Kuwait City (KWI)
• Mumbai (BOM)
• Perth (PER)

This list is not exhaustive, and it is worth checking with your specific airport to see if they have mailboxes available. Additionally, some airports may have courier services or other alternatives to traditional mailboxes.

Security regulations prohibiting mailboxes in airports

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has exclusive access to mailboxes, which is protected by federal law. This law, known as the "mailbox restriction," prohibits anyone from placing mailable matter without postage into any mailbox. While there may not be specific security regulations prohibiting mailboxes in airports, the mailbox restriction law and related USPS regulations effectively limit the placement of mailboxes in certain areas, including airports. This is due to security concerns and the need to protect postal revenue.

History and Purpose of the Mailbox Restriction

The mailbox restriction was enacted by Congress in 1934 to protect postal revenue and prevent unstamped matter from being placed in mailboxes. At the time, businesses were reportedly delivering or using private carriers to deliver circulars and statements without postage, resulting in significant revenue loss for the U.S. Post Office Department. The constitutionality of the mailbox restriction was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1981, which ruled that mailboxes are an essential part of the national mail delivery system.

Views on Mailbox Access

There are mixed opinions regarding mailbox access, with some arguing for restricted access to protect postal revenue and mail security, while others call for modifications or repeal of the restriction to allow competition and private property rights. The Justice Department also raised concerns about the distribution of sexually explicit materials if mailbox access is expanded.

Mail Theft and Security

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service considers mail theft from mailboxes a serious problem and believes that the mailbox restriction helps deter and investigate such crimes. However, foreign postal administrations in countries without mailbox restrictions reported minor or no problems with mail theft, citing different types of mail receptacles and the lack of outgoing mail collection from residential mailboxes as contributing factors.

While there may not be specific security regulations prohibiting mailboxes in airports, the mailbox restriction law and related USPS regulations effectively limit mailbox placement in certain areas. This is due to security concerns and the need to protect postal revenue. The history, purpose, and impact of the mailbox restriction, as well as views on mailbox access and mail security, all play a role in shaping the debate around this issue.

Mailbox services at UPS stores near airports

Mailing a letter at the airport can be challenging, as not all airports have mailboxes or post offices. While some airports do provide mailboxes or mail slots, they may be located landside or airside, and security regulations may prohibit their presence in certain areas. Additionally, finding these mailboxes can be difficult, as they are sometimes hidden or not easily accessible.

If you're looking for a convenient and reliable mailbox service near an airport, consider the UPS Store. The UPS Store offers mailbox services at locations near airports across the United States. With a mailbox at The UPS Store, you get a real street address, not just a P.O. Box number. This can be especially beneficial for business owners who want to maintain a professional image.

• Real Street Address: Your mailing address will be the address of the UPS Store location, with a PMB (private mailbox) or pound symbol (#) designating your individual box. Your name will appear first, followed by the store's address.
• Package Acceptance: They accept packages from all carriers, so you can receive deliveries from any shipping company.
• Package Notifications: You'll be notified when your mail and packages arrive. They can even send you a text or email alert.
• 24-Hour Access: Participating locations offer 24-hour access to your mailbox, so you can check your mail at any time.
• Additional Services: The UPS Store provides various additional services that the post office doesn't offer, such as Call-in MailCheck®, to save you time and make mail management more convenient.

To find a UPS Store near your desired airport, you can use their website to locate the nearest store and check the availability of mailbox services. This option can provide peace of mind, ensuring your packages are secure and easily accessible during your travels.

Mailing items from inside airports

When mailing items from an airport, it's important to distinguish between pre-security and post-security locations. Pre-security locations are publicly accessible areas before security checkpoints, and they function like regular drop boxes or post offices. Post-security locations, on the other hand, are behind security checkpoints and require authorization or a ticket for access.

At pre-security locations, you can usually find mailboxes, post offices, or drop-off points that are serviced by postal staff. These areas are similar to mailing from any other location and are typically available to the general public.

However, post-security locations within secure zones of an airport present a different set of considerations. Postal staff may not have access to drop boxes in these secure areas. As a result, airport staff or volunteers are responsible for delivering mail to a pre-security postal drop-off point. This introduces a potential risk of loss, theft, tampering, destruction, or forgetfulness. While airport staff are generally trustworthy, it's important to be mindful of the sensitivity of the items you're mailing.

Some airports, like Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, provide mailboxes pre-security for stamped envelopes or postcards. They also offer designated, staffed information counters outside security where passengers can mail back small items to themselves. These items must fit within a specified size limit, and a form needs to be filled out for UPS to contact you regarding payment.

Additionally, certain airports have full-service post offices or businesses that handle mail on behalf of an official postal authority. These locations can be treated as regular post offices, although their stamp availability may vary.

When using drop boxes, pillar boxes, or mail slots, it's important to follow postal guidelines. In most countries, these are restricted to letters and postcards only. Mailing parcels from an airport without a post office is generally challenging, if not impossible.

It's worth noting that mailing items from an airport does not usually incur additional fees. However, you must use the correct postage for the country you are mailing from and consider whether your mail is considered "domestic" or "international" relative to that location.

In summary, while it is possible to mail items from inside airports, the availability of facilities and the specific regulations can vary across different airports. It's important to plan accordingly, especially if you need to mail sensitive or valuable items.

Frequently asked questions