HAHarvey Walden
3 hours agoFiling a Claim
File a USPS Claim: Domestic
If you sent a package inside the U.S. that was lost, damaged, or had broken or missing pieces and it was covered by insurance, learn how to file an "indemnity claim." Your insurance may have been included with the USPS service or purchased separately. Eligible items include: Priority Mail Express items and other insured mail, Collect on Delivery (COD) items, and Registered Mail items with insurance.
How to File a Claim
Either the sender or the recipient may file a claim for insured mail that is lost, arrived damaged, or was missing contents. The person filing must have the original mailing receipt. Each claim must be filed within a certain time period and include proof of insurance, value, and damage.
Step 1: Check Filing Periods
Each mail service has a different filing period based on the mailing date on your receipt and whether your package arrived damaged.
Damaged or Missing Contents: If your item arrives damaged or is missing contents, you may file a claim immediately but must file no later than 60 days after the mailing date.
Lost Mail or Package: If your item does not arrive at all, file a claim in the time period for the service you used.
Filing a Claim for Lost Mail or Packages by Service:
- Priority Mail Express: File after 7 days, file before 60 days
- Priority Mail Express COD: File after 15 days, file before 60 days
- Priority Mail: File after 15 days, file before 60 days
- USPS Ground Advantage: File after 15 days, file before 60 days
- Insured Mail: File after 15 days, file before 60 days
- Collect on Delivery (COD): File after 15 days, file before 60 days
- Registered Mail & Registered COD Mail: File after 15 days, file before 60 days
- APO/FPO Priority Mail Express Military Service: File after 21 days, file before 180 days
- APO/FPO/DPO Insured Mail, Registered Mail (Priority Mail, First-Class Mail, USPS Ground Advantage, SAM, or PAL services): File after 45 days, file before 1 year
- APO/FPO/DPO Insured Mail (Surface only): File after 75 days, file before 1 year
Step 2: Gather Your Documents
Tracking or Label Number: The tracking or label number is found on your online label record, package label, mailing receipt, or sales receipt. Tracking and label numbers are between 13 and 34 characters.
Evidence of Insurance Purchased: Original mailing receipt issued at the time of mailing, outer packaging showing the names and addresses of the sender and the addressee and the proper label showing that the article was sent insured, or printed electronic online label record or computer printout from the application used to print the label and purchase the insurance. USPS may not legally pay compensation for uninsured lost or damaged articles.
Proof of Value: Sales receipt, paid invoice or paid bill of sale, statement of value and/or estimates of repair costs from a reputable dealer, credit card billing statement, receipt of costs incurred for reconstruction of non-negotiable documents, or printouts of the online transaction identifying the purchaser and seller, price paid, date of transaction, description of item purchased, and assurance that the transaction status is completed.
Proof of Damage: Photos that clearly show the extent of damage will help with your case. For damaged claims, you must provide an estimate of the repair costs from a reputable dealer. Save the original packaging and everything in the package until your claim is settled. Do not throw out damaged items, even after you photograph them. Do not reship items that were not damaged. You may be asked to take the entire package to your local Post Office facility for inspection.
Step 3: File Your Claim
The fastest and easiest way to file your claim is online. If you cannot file a claim on USPS.com, you can start a claim process by mail. After you file, keep all your evidence documents until the claim is resolved.
Filing Online: To file online, log in to or create your free USPS.com account. Your claim case will be associated with your account. You will be able to save your claim to finish later if you cannot complete the form in one session. Once you have filed a claim, you can see it in your Claim History. When you file your claim online, you can opt in to receive status email notifications, which will be sent to the email address listed on your USPS.com account.
Filing by Mail: If you're unable to file a claim online, you can have a Domestic Claim Form mailed to you by calling the USPS National Materials Customer Service at 1-800-332-0317 (requests for paper Domestic Claim Forms only). Hours of Operation: Monday–Friday: 6 AM–6 PM CT; Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal Holidays: Closed. Complete the form and mail it, along with proof of value and evidence of insurance, to the address on the form.
After You File – Next Steps
USPS Accounting Services determines whether to pay a claim in full or in part, or to deny a claim. USPS usually sends claims decisions within 5-10 days. When you file your claim online, you can opt in to receive status email notifications, which will be sent to the email address listed on your USPS.com account. You can also check Claim History in your USPS.com account for updates.
Approved Claims: Your claim may be completely approved or approved in part. After your claim is approved, you should receive payment for the claim amount in 7-10 business days. USPS does not pay a claim higher than an item's actual value.
Denied Claims: Claims can be partially or fully denied. Your decision letter will list the reasons for the denial.
Making an Appeal
If your refund was only partially paid or completely denied, you may file an appeal within 30 days of receiving the decision. Submit your appeal the same way you submitted the original claim, whether online or by mail. You can start an online claim from your Claim History. Focus your appeal on the reasons your claim was denied. You may submit new documentation to support your appeal. If your appeal is denied, you can file a second appeal within 30 days of the date you received the appeal denial.
