To file a USPS claim, sign in to USPS.com and submit the claim online at usps.com/help/claims.htm with your tracking number, the original mailing receipt or label record, proof of value and, for damage, photos. Either the sender or the recipient can file, and every domestic claim must be filed within 60 days of the mailing date.
Claims only pay on insured items: Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail and USPS Ground Advantage include up to $100 of coverage, and other mail is covered only when you bought insurance. USPS usually sends a decision in 5 to 10 days. This guide covers the filing windows, the documents USPS asks for, appeals and the other USPS support channels to use when a claim isn’t the right tool.
Who Can File a USPS Claim, and When?
Either the sender or the recipient may file a claim for insured mail that’s lost, damaged or missing contents, but the person filing needs the original mailing receipt or label record. Uninsured items can’t be paid; USPS states it “may not legally pay compensation for uninsured lost or damaged articles.”
Damage and missing-contents claims can be filed right away. Lost-package claims have a waiting period that depends on the service, because USPS wants the package to have had time to arrive:
| Service | Lost package: file from | Damaged or missing contents | Final deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Priority Mail Express | 7 days after mailing | Immediately | 60 days after mailing |
| Priority Mail | 15 days after mailing | Immediately | 60 days after mailing |
| USPS Ground Advantage | 15 days after mailing | Immediately | 60 days after mailing |
| Insured Mail, COD, Registered Mail | 15 days after mailing | Immediately | 60 days after mailing |
| APO/FPO/DPO military mail | Longer windows, from 21 days up to 1 year depending on the service | ||
If a package has simply stopped moving, check its scan history in USPS tracking first. A package that’s only late, not lost, may still turn up before the waiting period ends.
How Do You File a USPS Claim Online?
USPS calls online filing “the fastest and easiest way” to submit a claim, and it lets you follow the claim’s status in your account.
- Sign in to or create a free USPS.com account and open the claims page.
- Enter the tracking or label number (USPS numbers run from 13 to 34 characters) and the mailing details.
- Describe what was lost or damaged and its value at the time of mailing.
- Upload evidence of insurance, proof of value and, for damage, photos and a repair estimate.
- Submit the claim, opt in to email updates and keep the claim number.
If you’d rather file on paper, call National Materials Customer Service at 1-800-332-0317 (Monday–Friday, 6 AM–6 PM CT) to request a domestic claim form, then mail it in with your proof of value and evidence of insurance.
What Proof Do You Need for a USPS Claim?
Missing paperwork is the most common reason a claim stalls, so gather everything before you start.
- Evidence of insurance: The original mailing receipt from the Post Office, or the label record from an online purchase showing the service and any added insurance.
- Proof of value: What the item cost or was worth when mailed, such as a sales receipt, paid invoice or credit card statement.
- Proof of damage: Clear photos of the damage and the packaging, plus a repair estimate from a reputable dealer.
- The package itself: Keep the box, packing material and all contents until the claim is settled, because USPS may ask to inspect them.
If you’re not sure whether a package had coverage at all, our guide to checking whether your USPS package has insurance shows where it appears on receipts and tracking pages.
How Much Will USPS Pay on a Claim?
USPS pays the item’s actual value at the time of mailing, up to the coverage on the package, and never more than that value. Approved claims can be paid in full or in part, and payment usually arrives 7 to 10 business days after approval.
| Service | Included coverage | Additional coverage available |
|---|---|---|
| Priority Mail Express | Up to $100 | Up to $5,000 |
| Priority Mail | Up to $100 (not included with certain extra services) | Up to $5,000 |
| USPS Ground Advantage | Up to $100 | Up to $5,000 |
| First-Class Mail, Media Mail and other classes | None | Purchased insurance, where eligible |
| Registered Mail | None by default | Up to $50,000, bought at a Post Office |
Included coverage requires a USPS Tracking barcode on domestic shipments. For insured items over $500, the recipient may need to show photo ID before USPS will deliver. Our complete guide to USPS insurance coverage and claims explains how coverage attaches, and USPS insurance rates and coverage levels shows how coverage is tiered by declared value.
What Happens If USPS Denies Your Claim?
The denial letter lists the reasons, and you get two chances to appeal. File the first appeal within 30 days of receiving the decision, the same way you filed the claim, and address each denial reason directly. New documents, such as a clearer invoice or better photos, are allowed.
If the first appeal is denied, you can file a final appeal within 30 days of receiving that decision, and it goes through the same review process. Claims most often fail because the item was uninsured, the claim was filed outside its window, the proof of value didn’t match the claimed amount or the packaging wasn’t kept for inspection.
Is a USPS Refund the Same as a Claim?
No. A claim pays for the value of lost or damaged contents. A refund returns postage, for example when a Priority Mail Express package misses its money-back guarantee or a label goes unused. Late Priority Mail Express shipments and unused labels go through the USPS refund process for postage and money-back guarantees, which USPS handles at usps.com/help/refunds.htm. A single late, damaged Priority Mail Express package can qualify for both.
What Other USPS Support Can You Use Besides a Claim?
Not every problem calls for a claim. Match the issue to the right USPS channel:
- Package not moving: Start a Missing Mail search at missingmail.usps.com, available 7 days after mailing, with both addresses, the tracking number and a detailed contents description.
- Tracking or delivery questions: Call 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777), Monday–Friday 8 AM–8:30 PM ET and Saturday 8 AM–6 PM ET, or send an online help request from the USPS Contact Us page.
- Account or claim-form problems: USPS Technical Support at 1-800-344-7779 handles USPS.com account, Click-N-Ship and claims-site issues during the same hours.
- Mail theft or mail fraud: Report it to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the law enforcement arm of USPS.
- Employee misconduct or internal theft: Report it to the USPS Office of Inspector General.
Our USPS frequently asked questions page answers more everyday service questions, and the USPS shipping hub with rates, tracking and services links each USPS service guide.
How Can You Avoid Needing a USPS Claim?
Most claims start with packaging, labeling or coverage choices made before the package ships. Use a sturdy box with cushioning on all sides, put the label flat on the largest surface and choose a service with included coverage, or add insurance, for anything you couldn’t afford to lose. Our guide to printing and placing shipping labels covers the label side.
ParcelPath doesn’t process USPS claims, since those always go through USPS, but it’s free to use and offers up to 89% off USPS rates, which leaves room in the budget for coverage. ParcelPath also offers Shipsurance insurance for higher-value items. You can compare services for your next package in the ParcelPath rate calculator, or browse more options in our roundup of shipping services and solutions. More guides are on ParcelPath’s Linktree.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a USPS claim?
Every domestic claim must be filed within 60 days of the mailing date. Damage and missing-contents claims can be filed immediately. For a lost package, you can file starting 7 days after mailing for Priority Mail Express and 15 days after mailing for Priority Mail, USPS Ground Advantage, Insured Mail, COD and Registered Mail. Military APO/FPO/DPO mail has longer windows.
Can the recipient file a USPS claim?
Yes. USPS lets either the sender or the recipient file a claim for insured mail that’s lost, damaged or missing contents. The person filing must have the original mailing receipt or label record, so a recipient often needs the sender to share it. USPS never pays more than the item’s actual value.
How long does a USPS claim take?
USPS says it usually sends a claim decision within 5 to 10 days after receiving a complete claim, and approved claims are typically paid within 7 to 10 business days. Online filers can opt in to email status updates and check progress under Claim History in their USPS.com account. Missing documents or a request to inspect damaged items adds time.
Does USPS pay claims on uninsured packages?
No. USPS states it may not legally pay compensation for uninsured lost or damaged articles. Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail and USPS Ground Advantage include up to $100 of coverage when they carry a USPS Tracking barcode, so those packages are insured up to that amount. First-Class Mail and Media Mail are covered only if you bought insurance.
What if my USPS claim is denied?
You can appeal within 30 days of receiving the denial, submitting it the same way as the original claim and responding to each reason listed in the letter. New documentation is allowed. If that appeal is denied, you have another 30 days from receiving that decision to file a final appeal, which goes through the same review process.
Sources
- USPS: Domestic Claims
- USPS: Shipping Insurance and Extra Services
- USPS: Refunds
- USPS: Missing Mail
- USPS: Contact Us
- U.S. Postal Inspection Service
Part of our USPS Insurance guide. Related: How Does USPS Insurance Work, USPS Insurance Rates, How Do I Know If My USPS Package Has Insurance.
