Contact USPS Lost Package

Losing a package is both frustrating and stressful, but not knowing how to resolve this issue makes it worse. If you’re among those who have experienced losing a package after shipping it via USPS delivery, then this article is for you. 

What you should do when your shipment doesn’t arrive at its destination? How do you file a complaint with USPS, and how long does it take to resolve such an issue?

In case USPS couldn’t locate your lost package, could you request a refund or an insurance claim? What must you do to prevent your package from getting lost during delivery?

This article guides you on what to do when your package gets lost while using USPS. It gives recommendations to help you resolve your issue of lost packages with USPS, including initiating search and insurance claims requests and asking for a refund.

You can get information about the processes involved for each request and an estimated timeframe for when these issues usually get resolved. Valuable tips on reducing the risk of your package getting lost during deliveries are also part of the discussion.

A search or claims request for a lost package needs close coordination with the United States Postal Service and the local post office nearest the recipient’s address. If you’re in this predicament, it’s best to have information on the post office you need to contact to resolve your lost package issue. 

FindPostOffice.org can help you get contact information for all 31,330 post offices throughout the United States. You can search each post office location on our online database and get the necessary information to help hasten the resolution of your issue. 

How to Find a Lost USPS Letter or Package

The U.S. Postal Service processes over 6,400 items each second, totaling an estimated 160 billion mail pieces yearly. USPS delivers the vast majority of these items without any incident. 

However, sometimes a package gets lost or doesn’t arrive at its destination on the delivery date. When this happens, you can start the search process by contacting USPS. 

How to Start Your Search

USPS provides ways to resolve lost mail or packages to help you address your issues quickly. 

Check the Current Status

Check the current status of your package through the tracking services provided by USPS. You only need to log in to your account and track your package from there. 

Another easy way to track your package is through a mobile app. You can download the Circuit Package Tracker app available for iOs or Android.

Track Your Package and Double Check Your Tracking Info

You can monitor your package through its assigned tracking number. You get this number from USPS through confirmation emails and receipts. 

Simply enter the tracking number into the USPS Tracking page, and check your package’s delivery status online. 

A tracking number is a long string of numerals assigned to your package. Some tracking numbers go up to 35 characters long, making prone to mistyping. 

After typing your tracking number into the tracking system, double-check if the information you’ve provided is correct. Review your tracking information carefully before you file a complaint about a lost package. 

Complete a Help Request Form: How to Complete the USPS Help Request Form

After checking your package status and finding no updates, you can complete a help request form that USPS provides. You can provide the information needed and hit submit. 

USPS will then try to locate your package. If found, you’ll get a notification. Otherwise, you can start a missing mail search request. 

Submit a Missing Mail Search Request: How to Submit a USPS Missing Mail Search Request

Sometimes, USPS cannot locate your package after you’ve filed an initial help request. In this case, you can file a missing mail search request after seven business days. 

You need to provide the following information to start a missing mail search. 

• Sender’s mailing address

• Recipient’s mailing address

• Size and type of envelope or container used

• USPS Tracking number(s) 

• The mailing date from your mailing or Click-N-Ship label receipt

• Your package’s description, brand, model, color, or size, if applicable

• Pictures of the item for easier recognition

What to Expect Next

Missing mail or packages is frustrating for both the sender and recipient. When you’re in this kind of situation, here are things that you should expect. 

Wait Another Day or Two

You’re advised to wait for a day or two before filing an initial help request. Sometimes, delays happen primarily due to the massive volume of packages the company processes daily. 

It’s best to wait for at least two days to allow delayed deliveries to push through. If your package hasn’t arrived after two days, you can now file a mail search request. 

USPS Mail Search

When USPS receives your missing mail request, you’ll receive a confirmation email and periodic updates on the status of your search request. 

Once USPS finds your package, they’ll send your package straight to the address you’ve provided. 

Requesting a Refund: How to File a Refund or Insurance Claim

The worst case is that your package has been lost and is irrecoverable. If this happens, you can request a refund or an insurance claim if you purchased insurance. 

You need the following to start a refund request:

• Your package’s tracking number

• Proof of purchase

• Photo ID (if in person)

You can apply for this request online and at your local post office. 

File a Claim

You could file an insurance claim if you insured your letter or package that got lost, damaged, or arrived with some of its contents missing. As the claimant, you must have the original mailing receipt, proof of insurance, proof of value, and proof of damage. 

Begin the USPS Missing Package Claims Process

Here are the things you should do and expect when you go through the missing package claims process.

Confirm You Fit the Filing Window

USPS informs its customers that claims can only be processed at a specific time. If your package is damaged or missing contents, you can file it immediately upon receipt of your package. You can’t file a claim 60 days after the mailing date.

Here are the different filing periods for lost mail or package according to the mail service.

• Priority Mail Express: File after 7 days or before 60 days

• Priority Mail Express COD: File after 15 days or before 60 days

• Priority Mail: File after 15 days or before 60 days

• Insured Mail: File after 15 days or before 60 days

• Collect on Delivery (COD): File after 15 days or before 60 days

• Registered Mail and Registered COD Mail: File after 15 days or before 60 days

• APO, FPO Priority Mail Express Military Service: File after 21 days or before 180 days. 

• APO, FPO, and DPO Insured Mail, Registered Mail: File after 45 days or before 1 year

• APO, FPO, and DPO Insured Mail (Surface only): File after 75 days or before 1 year

Note: APO – Army Post Office, FPO – Fleet Post Office, DPO – Diplomatic Post Office.

Get Your Documentation Squared Away

Secure all documentation, like the lost package’s mailing proof. Also, secure proof of the contents inside the package and their corresponding value. 

Though the claims process doesn’t require mountains of documentation, the more proof you have, the better chance of getting your claims approved. 

File the Actual Claim

Once you’re within the recommended delivery time and have all the documents ready, you can file your actual claim. There are two ways to file an insurance claim. 

The first is filing a claim online through the USPS website. You only need to log in to your USPS account and complete the form there. 

The following method for filing an insurance claim is through the mail. 

You need to secure a Domestic Claim PS form by calling the USPS National Materials Customer Service. USPS will send you this form, which you need to fill out and send back along with the necessary documents mentioned above.  

You can contact National Materials Customer Service at 1-800-332-0317 (requests for paper Domestic Claim Forms only)

Hours of Operation
Monday to Friday: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM CT
Saturdays and Sundays: Closed
Federal Holidays: Closed

Follow Up

After filing the necessary paperwork for your claim, you can follow up on your request regularly. You can contact customer service for updates and other inquiries about your claim. 

You can also visit FindPostOffice.org to find the contact information of post offices that may have handled your package. You can also talk to them directly to get more information about your lost mail or package issue. 

How to Avoid Missing USPS Packages

There are many reasons for lost mail or packages, but among the most common are unsecured address labels and smeared or illegible shipping labels. 

Here are some tips to reduce the risk of lost packages:

• Add an extra address label with the recipient and sender’s addresses

• Use reliable printers to create shipping labels

• Use plain packaging

• Purchase parcel insurance

• Verify addresses to avoid delay due to the recipient’s change of address

• Maintain close communication

What Happens if USPS Delivery Was Lost?

You should file a report when USPS considers your mail or package lost. You can refer back to the list of filing periods under the subheading “Confirm You Fit the Filing Window.”

After filing your search request, USPS will work on locating your package. If found, you’ll get updated, and the package will be delivered to the delivery address. If not, you can file a claims request. 

Who Is Responsible if USPS Loses a Package?

Purchase USPS insurance for your mail or package, and USPS will cover the shipping cost, including the package value to the specified amount, upon approval. 

USPS will cover the shipping cost if you don’t have insurance, but a missing mail search determined that your package was lost or damaged. 

Contact USPS: How Do I Contact USPS About a Lost Package?

You should contact the USPS hotlines about a missing package immediately after your package is considered lost by USPS standards. You can get the necessary hotlines below. 

When Should You Contact USPS About a Missing Package?

U.S. Postal Service Domestic and International Tracking department: 
(800) 222-1811.

USPS Customer Service hotline:
Call: 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777)
Hours of Operation
Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 8:30 PM ET
Saturday 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM ET

General Information

The following are general information items and phone numbers that might be useful in your transactions with shipping and delivery companies. 

Customer Care Center

When you need immediate assistance with your delivery and shipping issues, you can call USPS Customer Care Center at 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777).

Technical Support

When you encounter problems with your website application or accessing online forms, call USPS Technical Support at 1-800-344-7779.

Domestic and International USPS Tracking

When you have questions or problems with your tracking system, you can call Domestic and International USPS Tracking at 1-800-222-1811.

Informed Delivery Answers

Informed Delivery is a USPS feature to notify you about your latest package delivery and gives you photos of it before it arrives. For questions about this feature, you can email their representatives using their online form at USPS.com.

Stamps and Free Shipping Supplies

You can call their representatives through the following numbers for more information about USPS merchandise and free shipping supplies. 

Stamps and Postal Store Orders

You can call the Stamps and Postal Store Orders hotline at 1-844-737-7826. Lines are open from Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM ET. They are closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and postal holidays.

Free Shipping Supplies

If you want to order free shipping materials like boxes, envelopes, and forms or report a problem with your shipping supply orders, you can call their representatives at 1-800-610-8734

Amazon Missing Packages

For missing packages with Amazon, you can call 1 (888) 280-4331.

DHL Missing Packages

For missing packages with DHL, you can call 1 (800) 225-5345.

FedEx Missing Packages

For missing packages with FedEx, you can call 1 (800) 463-3339.

UPS Lost Packages

For missing packages with UPS, you can call 1 (800) 742-5877.

Different shipping companies work hand-in-hand with USPS to deliver packages, especially at the last mile of the delivery. 

When you need an accessible database of all post offices in the United States, you can visit FindPostOffice.org. You’ll have access to the vital information you need, especially in cases of lost or missing packages.