Check-In

Shipping to Columbia & Package Pre-Delivery

On July 21, new and returning students received a message about shipping to campus in advance of move-in.

July 21, 2026

Shipping items to campus in advance of Check-In is a smart move-in strategy. Follow our guidelines and tips below for a smooth shipping and move-in experience!

How to Format Your Columbia Address

The Student Mail Center will begin accepting packages on August 1.

The following format should be used for all mail and packages.

Student’s Full Name
70 Morningside Drive
[UNI] [Building Code*]
New York, NY 10027-7236

*Building codes are available on our website. The codes used for your shipping address are the same as the codes used in the Housing Portal for your building assignment.

Take Advantage of Package Pre-Delivery: August 1 - 15

Packages received between August 1 and August 15 will be eligible for direct delivery to students' rooms.

  • Packages must be shipped to the mail center via courier (i.e. UPS, USPS, FedEx, etc.) to be eligible for room delivery. The Mail Center will not accept hand-delivered packages.
  • Bulk items are eligible for package pre-delivery as long as they are not prohibited by Columbia Housing.
    • Accepted: mini-fridges, televisions, computer monitors, and large boxes
    • Prohibited: portable or window air-conditioning units, e-bikes, microwaves, furniture, or other prohibited items
  • Items received after August 15 may still be delivered to room or may be available for pick-up at the Student Mail Center or a satellite location. You’ll receive a notification with instructions.

Important Note: Don’t Ship Items You Need Right Away

Please do not ship items you may need immediately, like bedding or medication. Columbia Mail makes their best effort but cannot guarantee that all packages will be delivered to rooms.

Packing & Shipping Tips

  • Your room is furnished and space for additional items is limited.
  • Review our recommendations of what to bring to campus.
  • Items like cleaning supplies and other small household goods can be purchased at stores in the immediate area around Columbia.
  • Save on mini-fridges: gently used fridges will be available for purchase during the first week of classes through the Columbia Eco-Reps. Alternatively, students can rent a micro-fridge, which will be delivered to your room prior to arrival.  

Receiving Mail at Columbia during the Academic Year

Residential students must receive mail through the Student Mail Center. Do not address mail or packages to an individual residence hall or brownstone.

You will receive an email notification from the Student Mail Center when your package is ready for pick-up. A delivery confirmation email from a vendor/courier does not mean a package is ready. Please do not come to the Student Mail Center if you have not received an email notification from their team. Contact [email protected] for questions.

Hours of operation for the semester will be posted to the Student Mail Portal.

More Check-In Resources