How Long Does Usps Hold Packages In 2022? (All You Need To Know)

Louis DeJoy
75th United States Postmaster General
Incumbent
Assumed office June 16, 2020
President	Donald Trump Joe Biden
Deputy	Douglas Tulino
Preceded by	Megan Brennan
Personal details
Born	1957 (age 64) [1] New York City , New York , U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Aldona Wos
Children	2
Education	Stetson University ( BBA )

Each day the United States Postal Service puts in a lot of effort to get millions of mail pieces to every address within the U.S.

But sometimes carriers have to take packages back to the Post Office because they were undeliverable, due to weather or perhaps lack of signature.

It’s possible to delay going to the Post Office. You may wonder, “How long does USPS keep packages?” The answer is right below.

Is the USPS able to hold packages for 2022?

For the vast majority of their mailing services, the United States Postal Service holds packages up to 15 days after the date of attempted delivery. In each case, USPS also issues a second and final notice a few days later. After the 15 days, packages are returned to the sender.

Find out what you need to know to determine if USPS holds your package. How to discover if it’s being kept, who has it held, whether someone can get it for you. What happens to packages that aren’t returned to the sender.

How can you find out whether your package has been held by USPS

U.S. If your U.S. Postal Service carrier attempts delivery of a package, but is unable to do so, the carrier will leave you a yellow-colored PS Form 3849.

The PS Form 3849 is the Delivery Notice/Reminder/Receipt, and it’s the note that there is an item waiting for you in your local Post Office.

From my experience, the mail carrier will put the note up at the top and make sure it isn’t hidden under other items (or thrown away).

You might forget to return your package. What if you accidentally miss it?

Do not worry. The Post Office will still issue a Second or Final Notice approximately three to five calendar days after the original delivery.

This is the same PS Form 3849. However, there’s a box in the lower left corner that states “Final Notice”. Checking this will indicate that you have less time until the parcel can be picked up.

A space is available for the post carrier to enter the expiration date of the holding period. The parcel will then be returned to the address.

The 15-day holding period is not applicable to items sent Priority Mail Express. They are kept for only five days. After that, the Final/Second notice will be given within three days.

The time it takes to receive your package is much shorter.

How Do You Know Where Your USPS Package Is Being Held?

If your local Post Office is not located within a small area or in a city, it’s likely that you know where you can pick up your mail.

You might wonder how to locate the Post Office that holds your package if you move near one of these locations.

This information can be accessed in two different ways according to USPS.com.

The USPS Tracking page will first tell you where your parcel is, after the tracking data has been updated to indicate that your item was held by the Post Office.

If this isn’t convenient, please dial 1-800-ASK USPS (1 800 275-8777) to talk to a customer care representative.

What is the best way to pick up a USPS package?

It is easy to pick up the USPS package being held.

Be sure to bring with you your PS Form 3849 as well as your valid photo ID. This includes a driver’s licence for some and an ID card/passport or passport for others.

You can sign the Form at the counter if you haven’t yet. After that, the staff will verify your identity to ensure the identities, signatures, and faces match.

Are You able to have someone else pick up your parcel from The Post Office

Authorize someone to take your package from the Post Office.

However, the PS Form 3829 will require you to use a piece of white paper or write the following:

(Name of retriever) has my permission to pick up mail for (Your Name).

Your signature should be next to this little note.

How Long does USPS hold packages to a PO Box for?

A notification is sent by the Post Office to let you know that you can pick up a parcel at the Front Counter if the item doesn’t fit into your PO Box.

They will usually hold the package for 15 days. It depends on what service was used to send the item, just like a regular package hold.

What Happens When You Forget to Pick Up a Package From the Post Office

USPS attempts the return of the package after the time limit has passed and the recipient has not claimed it.

Sometimes however, the return address or information may not be correct, which can make it difficult to send it back.

In these cases, mail may get put in the Dead Mail area, where some postal workers seek to find missing/illegible addresses so that the package can eventually get sent back.

Good news! Even if you do not complete your holding period, your package may still be available to you.

This isn’t an easy task (it may be on the way back to you), but it is possible.

If the package cannot be returned to sender, it could be at a Mail Recovery Center (one located in GA, and one in MN).

They are checked for value and are kept in storage for 60 days if they do not exceed $25. During this time, you are able to take action.

(If your item is found to be worth less than $25, unfortunately, it is probably the end of the road for your search.)

To search for your package, you will need to complete a Mail Recovery Center Request.

You should include the barcode/Tracking information and packaging size.

Next, wait. USPS will try its best to find your package and send it back.

Ultimately, though, the lesson to be learned is not to miss your initial 15-day window for picking up a package at your Post Office.

If you want to learn more about USPS services and whether USPS will leave packages behind in the storm, scan packages or deliver packages at night, we have posts.

Conclusion

USPS will hold most parcels that have not been delivered for up to 15 days. USPS also informs the recipients two times about the status of any parcel they are holding for pickup at Post Office.

All you have to bring is your PS Form 3849 and a valid ID, or you can send someone else to retrieve it with a permission note and your signature.

Why has my entire package been delayed till 2022

Your USPS Package Tracking Information may have not been updated. There could be many factors, including inclement conditions, busy buying season, and missorted packages.

Why are the Usps’s 2022 updates not being updated?

USPS tracking numbers might not get updated due to inclement weather or incorrect delivery.

.How Long Does Usps Hold Packages In 2022? (All You Need To Know)