Even if a piece of mail has traveled halfway across the world, it usually arrives at its destination. However, there are cases in which an occasional letter or package that goes missing. If this happens to you, you will need to contact the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) and ask them to track down your lost mail, but being successful at recovering missing correspondences can take perseverance and, in some cases, a little luck. Unfortunately, many postal workers will trash or destroy undeliverable magazines and letters that are valued at less than $25. However, there are some things you can do by yourself to search for your lost mail or package.
Gather Information
It is important to gather as much information you can on your end before contacting the USPS. Make sure that you, or the sender, if it isn’t you, had the correct address and name, and make a photocopy of the receipt if you were expecting a gift or package with monetary value or a receipt showing that you did, in fact, mail it. If you have a tracking number, make sure you provide this as well, and be prepared to describe the size of the package, if possible, to help identify the item.
File a Claim
Any receipt for registered mail, insured mail, Express Mail or Priority Mail will include a tracking number. If you printed the label online, check your email to see if you have the Click-n-Ship receipt. Once you have a tracking number, you can file a claim either in-person or online to track your letter or package. According to the USPS, you should not wait more than 60 days to file a claim, and it is typically recommended to do so as soon as you realize your package or letter is missing. The USPS will make every effort to track the item and reimburse you the full value of the package if the search is unsuccessful.
Conduct a Local Search
You can still ask your local USPS for assistance, even if you do not have a tracking number available. Whether you are sending or receiving the package, local postal workers can watch to see if your item turns up at another residence or somewhere around the facility. If the item was valuable and you have a valid reason to believe that it might have been stolen from your property, you may consider filing a police report in addition to contacting your local USPS office.