Phosphofurin acidic cluster sorting protein 1 (PACS‐1) is canonically a cytosolic trafficking protein, yet recent reports have described nuclear roles for PACS‐1. Herein, we sought to define the nuclear transport mechanism of PACS‐1. We demonstrate that PACS‐1 nucleocytoplasmic trafficking is dependent on its interaction with the nuclear transport receptors importin alpha 5 and exportin 1. PACS‐1 nuclear entry and exit are defined by a nuclear localization signal (NLS, residues 311‐318) and nuclear export signal (NES3, residues 366‐375). Mutation of the PACS‐1 NLS and NES3 altered the localization of a complex formed between PACS‐1 and an RNA‐binding protein, polypyrimidine tract‐binding protein 1. Overall, we identify the nuclear localization mechanism of PACS‐1 and highlight a potential role for PACS‐1 in RNA‐binding protein trafficking.