If the USPS loses a package, the recipient and the sender will be out of the cost of the box and any products contained within. However, you can file for a missing file request, and if you insured your package, you can even file a claim for a refund should your mail fail to arrive.

However, before filing a claim, you should try a few other methods to track down the missing letter. First, you need to monitor your package to find its current location. You can begin by monitoring your product’s current location. Besides, sometimes there could be delays in deliveries, and some would show complete delivery even if they haven't arrived for up to 24 hours.

This article takes you through some of the reasons why your product may delay and all you need to know to get your lost USPS parcel back in as little time as possible.

Understanding the USPS Shipment and Missing File Recovery Process

The United States Postal Service (USPS) is a government-mandated national courier that delivers mail and packages safely, reliably, and affordably to every community in the country. The courier services over 31,000 US retail locations and delivers 20 million goods daily, especially during holidays.

Many online merchants and individuals count on USPS mail to provide low-priced shipping options for their clients because of its extensive distribution network and reasonable shipping rates.

However, USPS delays are unavoidable, as with any service. The key is in how you respond to them. Also, you should know that the US Postal Service occasionally experiences delays due to different causes before filing any lost mail claims.

Here are some of the reasons for the shipment delay:

Weather

Most US postal delivery delays are attributed to the unpredictability of the weather. For instance, extreme temperatures like winter storms, freezing rains, and snow can sometimes make it hard for delivery tracks to reach their destinations in time. To get weather-related delay information, customers should visit the USPS mail service disruptions site.          

 

Understand that timelines are estimates

The United States Postal Service provides a wide variety of shipping options, although most only provide delivery estimates rather than guarantees. Therefore, be aware that your delivery may arrive sooner or later than expected.

Incorrect Address

Incorrect shipping addresses are another common cause of USPS delivery delays. This occurs when the recipient's address has a typo, an error, or was entered incorrectly by the client.

This will cause your shipment to be sent to the wrong location or to face a delivery exception, which will lengthen the delivery time.

Lost Parcel

Though uncommon, damaged or missing packages are another possible cause of USPS shipment delays. Therefore, contact USPS, especially days after the promised shipping and delivery timelines.

Therefore, you can submit a missing file request or claim, especially for insured packages. If you need help submitting a Missing Mail request, you may always visit your neighborhood post office.

Strange Occurrences

Package delays caused by USPS are common because a lot goes on throughout the processing, shipping, and delivery procedures. Your package's delivery could be delayed for various reasons, including truck malfunctions, accidents, traffic difficulties, natural catastrophes, shifts in carrier routes, extreme weather, and fluctuations in staffing levels at local Post Office facilities.

So, What’s A Missing File?

Missing Mail" is mail that hasn't arrived by the specified date. This includes items that were either never delivered or arrived late for the above reasons.

After seven days of it being lost, late, or missing, you may consider the following:

• Filling out the USPS online request form: This starts a look for the parcel at your neighborhood post office, which may be able to track it down and bring it to you.
• Request a search for lost mail: lodge an urgent missing mail inquiry if your parcel is still missing after a week.
• Request a refund or claim your insurance, especially if all your effort to get your package back fails.

 

Finding Your Missing File

Here's what to do if the delivery date for an online order you placed with USPS has passed and you still have not received your shipment.

Track Your Parcel and Submit USPS help request form

The most important thing to do is track your shipment's status. You'll need your tracking number to monitor the delivery status of your product.

You can get your tracking number from the USPS label's bottom peel-off section, a sales receipt, an email confirmation from the merchant, or an online purchase. So, visit the shipping and tracking website and enter your number to know the location or status of your package.

Unfortunately, there are times when your package is delivered, yet you haven't received it. Hold off on filing a missing file report for at least another day. The next step, if no package has appeared, is to submit a request for assistance.

Submit USPS help request form

You'll see a pop-up that needs you to fill in various details from the types of service, mail class, content, value, and senders' or receiver's details. Ensure you correctly fill in the information and submit the request.

Image alt text: Postal workers sorting mails before delivery

Author credit: By U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class LaTunya Howard / Released, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Request a US Postal Service Missing Mail Search

Go to MissingMail.USPS.com, login, and create an account to have the US Postal Service look for your lost mail. Fill out the search request box to the best of your ability and hit the submit button.

After sending your search request, you will receive an acknowledgment. Better still, you can view the current status of your request by visiting the Missing Mail Search History. Search requests can be saved as drafts for later submission if necessary.

Completing a missing file search would require the following details:

• Sending date.
• Sender and receiver postal codes
• Tracking number (Optional yet incredibly helpful)
• Details on the mail item, such as its size and color, are also included.
• Specific information on the contents (such as name, color, size, manufacturer, and release year) is provided. Include pictures of the contents if you have them.

When may I submit a request to have my missing mail looked for?

You can initiate a search with the Missing Mail app no sooner than seven days following the first mailing date.

Search requests submitted through the Missing Mail software or application must be initiated no later than 365 days following the mailpiece's initial dispatch date. If you want your search to be completed within the 7-365 day limit, submit it as soon as possible.

Generally, after submitting a Missing Mail Report, USPS will contact you with a confirmation message and ongoing status updates through email. Your shipment will be looked for at USPS warehouses and delivery vehicles.If USPS successfully tracks down your box, it will be delivered to the appropriate destination.

However, USPS will treat your package as "stolen," especially if they establish it was delivered. Afterward, you can file a refund or claim that should come after 60 days from shipment dates. Fortunately, cases of the USPS missing files can be solved if all the stakeholders are aware of the mail security measures and the scams to avoid.

Filing Insurance Claim

USPS typically responds to claims between 5-10 business days. The shipper or the recipient can initiate the claim process, but they have only 60 days from the date of shipment to do so. It's also important to remember that the USPS has strict time limits on filing claims, which vary depending on the services needed.

Gather all necessary paperwork before beginning the electronic filing procedure. Evidence of insurance and evidence of value are also examples of such documentation.

Take note that the means of delivery will vary according to the contents of your item. Invoices or sales slips, credit card bills, and printouts of online purchases are all excellent examples of documentation that could be presented.

Conclusion

It can be frustrating to lose a package or shipment. Therefore, ensure you capture the correct delivery addresses and required details. The US Postal Service provides several ways to retrieve lost mail. So, fill out a request search form, search for missing mail, and track your shipment. Maybe you'll get your package returned, but if not, you may always make an insurance claim and receive your money back.