By Alexey Spasskiy · Published April 2, 2026 · Updated April 2, 2026 · 8 min read
Yes, you can fax at The UPS Store — but it's one of the pricier in-store options available. A ups fax typically starts at $3.00 for the first page, and a 10-page document will cost you over $20. International faxes push into the $30–$50+ range depending on destination. If you only have one or two pages and are already near a store, walking in is straightforward. For anything longer or more urgent, an online alternative will save you both money and the trip.
This guide covers the exact pricing, step-by-step instructions for sending and receiving, a side-by-side comparison against FedEx, Staples, and Office Depot, and when it makes more sense to use mFax.to instead.
The UPS Store Fax Pricing (2026)
The UPS Store is a franchise network — individual owners set their own rates, so prices differ by location. The figures below reflect what customers consistently report across the country.
Sending a Fax
| Destination | First Page | Each Additional Page | 5-Page Estimate | 10-Page Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local / Domestic (US) | $3.00 | $2.00 | $11.00 | $21.00 |
| International | $7.00 | $5.00 | $27.00 | $52.00 |
Prices vary by location
The UPS Store is a franchise network — each location sets its own fax rates. Your store may charge more or less than the figures above. Always call ahead to confirm pricing before making the trip, especially for large or international jobs.
Receiving a Fax
The UPS Store accepts incoming faxes on your behalf. Receiving typically costs $1.00–$2.00 per received page at pickup. You'll need to give your sender the store's dedicated fax number (ask a team member for it), then collect your pages within 24–48 hours. Most stores discard uncollected faxes after that window.
Additional Costs to Know
- Cover page: The UPS Store generally provides a complimentary cover sheet
- Failed transmission: You are typically still charged if the fax does not connect — even if nothing arrives on the other end
- Retry fees: If you need to resend after a failure, you pay full price again from page one
UPS Store Fax Cost Calculator
Estimate your in-store faxing cost before you make the trip.
UPS Store prices are estimates based on reported rates. Prices vary by location — always call ahead to confirm before driving over.
How to Fax at The UPS Store: Step-by-Step
What you need to bring
Most UPS Store locations accept physical printed documents only. Call your local store in advance to confirm whether they accept digital files via USB or email — policies vary by franchise.
Use the UPS Store location finder to find your nearest store. Not every location advertises fax services online — call ahead to confirm faxing is available and the machine is in working order. Ask about the current rate per page while you have them on the phone.
Remove staples and paper clips. Sort pages in order. Ensure documents are clean and flat — crumpled or torn pages may jam the feeder or fail to scan properly. Have the recipient's full fax number ready, including area code (or country code for international sends).
Unlike some self-service machines at other stores, The UPS Store typically has staff handle the fax for you. A team member will enter the fax number, feed the documents, and manage the transmission. This makes the process simple, but it also means your documents pass through staff hands — something to consider for sensitive paperwork.
Domestic faxes typically take 30 seconds to 2 minutes per page. International transmissions can take longer depending on line quality and destination. Stay in the store until you receive confirmation — transmission errors sometimes require a retry.
Once the fax transmits successfully, the machine prints a confirmation page. Keep this receipt — it's your only proof the fax was sent. Pay the per-page fee at the counter before leaving.
How to Receive a Fax at The UPS Store
Receiving a fax at UPS requires some coordination in advance:
- Visit or call your nearest UPS Store and ask a team member for the store's dedicated inbound fax number
- Give that number to your sender — along with your name so staff can identify your pages
- The store holds your pages at the front counter for 24–48 hours
- Pick up with a valid ID and pay the per-page receiving fee (typically $1.00–$2.00 per page)
Faxes are only held for 24–48 hours
Most UPS Store locations will discard uncollected faxes after 24 to 48 hours. If you're expecting a time-sensitive document, coordinate your pickup as soon as you know it's been sent.
UPS Store vs. Other In-Store Fax Options
How does The UPS Store compare to FedEx Office, Staples, and Office Depot?
| Service | Local (1st page) | Local (add'l) | International (1st) | Receive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The UPS Store | $3.00 | $2.00 | $7.00 | ~$1.00–2.00/pg |
| FedEx Office | $1.89 | $1.59 | $5.99 | ~$1.00/pg |
| Staples | $1.49–$1.99 | $1.49–$1.99 | $2.99–$4.99 | ~$1.00/pg |
| Office Depot | $1.59 | $1.59 | $2.99–$4.99 | ~$1.00/pg |
Key takeaways:
- The UPS Store is the most expensive in-store option for domestic faxes across all major chains
- For international faxes, UPS is significantly more expensive than FedEx Office ($7.00 vs. $5.99 first page) and Staples ($2.99–$4.99)
- Unlike some competitors, UPS has staff handle the process, which adds a personal touch but reduces privacy for sensitive documents
- All in-store options charge per page with no refund for failed transmissions
For a full breakdown of where to fax in your area, see our guide on where to fax near me and our fax cost per page comparison across all major providers.
The Problem With In-Store Faxing at UPS
Walking into The UPS Store works — but it comes with real friction:
- You need physical printed documents. If your file is a PDF, Word doc, or photo, you must print it first. Most UPS locations don't accept digital files directly.
- Costs are the highest of any major chain. A 10-page domestic fax runs $21. A 10-page international job can cost over $50.
- Failed faxes still cost money. Busy lines, line-quality issues, and equipment problems can cause failed transmissions — and you'll typically be charged regardless.
- Business hours only. Most UPS Stores are closed on Sundays and close by 7pm on weekdays. If you need to fax outside those hours, you're out of luck.
- Your documents pass through staff hands. Unlike self-service machines, UPS staff handle your documents. For confidential legal or medical paperwork, this is worth considering.
The UPS Store is NOT HIPAA-compliant
In-store faxing at The UPS Store is not a HIPAA-compliant option for protected health information (PHI). There is no Business Associate Agreement (BAA), no audit logging, and no formal data security guarantees. For medical records, patient information, or any PHI, use a dedicated HIPAA-compliant fax service instead.
The Online Alternative: Fax from Your Phone
mFax.to lets you send a fax from your phone or computer in under 2 minutes — no printing, no store visit, no waiting.
- Upload a PDF, photo, or document directly from your device
- Enter the recipient's fax number
- Receive a digital delivery confirmation when your fax arrives
- Send to any fax number in the US or internationally
Over 5 million users have switched from in-store faxing to mFax. Here's a direct comparison:
| The UPS Store | mFax.to | |
|---|---|---|
| Accepts digital files | Usually no — printed docs only | Yes — PDF, photo, Word, and more |
| Where you fax | In-store, during business hours | Phone, tablet, browser — anytime |
| 10-page domestic cost | ~$21.00 | Much less |
| Failed fax refund | No | Delivery confirmation included |
| HIPAA compliant | No | Yes (with mFax Business) |
| Travel required | Yes | No |
| Privacy | Staff handle your documents | End-to-end on your device |
Try mFax.to free — upload your document and send your first fax in under 2 minutes at mFax.to.
UPS Store Fax: Practical Tips
If you decide to fax in-store, here's how to make the experience go smoothly:
- Call before you go. Confirm the location offers faxing, the machine is working, and ask for the current price per page. A quick call saves a wasted trip.
- Remove all staples and paper clips. A jammed document feeder can cause a partial transmission — and you'll still pay.
- Know your fax number in advance. Have the recipient's complete fax number written down, including the area code. Double-check it before handing documents to staff.
- Ask for the store's fax number before you leave. If you expect a reply, get the store's inbound fax number while you're there so you don't have to call back later.
- Keep your confirmation receipt. It's your only proof of transmission if the recipient disputes receiving the fax.
- Check store hours. Most UPS Stores are closed Sundays. Use the UPS Store location finder to verify hours for your specific store.
When The UPS Store Fax Makes Sense
In-store faxing at The UPS Store is a reasonable choice when:
- You only need to send 1–2 pages and already have them printed
- You prefer to have a staff member assist you through the process
- You don't have internet access or a smartphone handy
- You're near a UPS Store location and need to fax immediately
For anything beyond a quick one-time send — especially multi-page jobs, international faxes, sensitive documents, or urgent situations outside business hours — an online fax service is faster, cheaper, and more reliable.
Bottom Line
The UPS Store offers faxing at over 5,500 locations nationwide, with staff-assisted service that's easy to use. But at $3.00 for the first page (and $2.00 for every page after that), it's the most expensive in-store option among major chains. International faxes push costs well past $50 for a 10-page document, and failed transmissions aren't refunded.
For most situations, mFax.to is the smarter option — send from your phone in 2 minutes, any time of day, with a delivery receipt confirming your fax arrived.
Compare all your options: see our full guide on where to fax near me and our breakdown of fax at FedEx for a direct store-to-store comparison.