Can I Intercept My US Postal Service Package Before It's Delivered?
This article discusses the US Postal Service's Parcel Intercept service for intercepting packages after they have been mailed but before they have been delivered. Customer eligibility requirements are described, as are package eligibility requirements. Instructions for requesting an intercept of a package you have mailed and redirecting it are provided as well.
Under certain circumstances, the US Postal Service will allow you to stop the delivery of a package and have it returned to you or redirected to a new address. Many but not all packages are eligible for this Package Intercept service. Read on to learn more.
Determining if You are Eligible
To use USPS package intercept, you need to meet these requirements:
- You need to be a registered Business Customer Gateway user.
- You must have a permit imprint that is linked to a CAPS that is associated with the business' Customer Registration ID.
- You need to have access to the Manage Mailing Activity and have a Mailer ID.
- Your business location must have a USPS Package Intercept Business Service Administrator.
Determining if Your Package is Eligible
To be eligible for this service, your package must have been shipped by domestic USPS mail and have a USPS Tracking bar code or an extra services bar code. The total package length and girth cannot be longer than 108 inches. Your package is not eligible if it was addressed to a Commercial Mailing Receiving Agency, if it has surface-only transportation markings, or if it has hazardous materials markings.
Please note that you cannot have any package redirected to a Post Office box.
Stopping the Package
- Log in to your USPS account.
- Go to the USPS home page.
- Scroll to the bottom of the page.
- Click on the Business Customer Gateway portal in the lower right corner.
- Submit a request to have your package intercepted.
After you submit the request you will be sent an estimated total of the cost of this service, which will include the $15.25 Package Intercept Fee plus the normal postage cost for the package. The Post Office will then try to intercept your package and either return it to you or redirect it as requested. If the post office can manage to stop the package before it has been delivered, your fees will be charged to the credit card you provide.
If you have any questions, contact the Postal Service. It has phone, chat, help forum, and email support options .
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