Block PO boxes or limit by address type
Stop a method from showing for PO box addresses, or offer it only to residential or only to commercial addresses.
Before you begin
Block PO boxes
- Go to Shipping Rules and select Edit on the rule.
- In Where it ships, set PO boxes to Block.
- Select Save Rule.
The rule card adds ", blocks PO boxes".
ASM treats an address as a PO box when it contains "PO BOX" or "POST OFFICE BOX". Spaces, dots and case are ignored, so "P.O. Box 12" and "po box 12" are both caught.
If a shopper with a PO box picks the method, they see: "The shipping method you chose is set to block PO Boxes. Please choose a different method or change your shipping address." On Turbify you can change this text; see Customize shopper error messages (Turbify).
Block PO boxes on every rule of a method. The setting is per rule, so a second rule of the same method without it still lets PO boxes through.
Some stores also see Only PO boxes in this choice. Contact support before using it, so we can confirm it fits your setup.
Residential or commercial addresses only
If your store has Residence type turned on, the Where it ships card shows it. It's turned on by support; contact us if you need it.
| Choice | The rule applies to |
|---|---|
| All addresses | Every address |
| Residential only | Home addresses |
| Commercial only | Business addresses |
ASM decides the address type using Auto-detect address type in Settings (a UPS or FedEx check), or your Treat shipments as setting when it can't tell. See Residential vs. commercial addresses.
The rule card shows, for example, "Residential addresses only".
Check that it works
In the Shipping Estimator, test a street address and a PO box address. See Test your rates with the Shipping Estimator.