To assist Postal Service™ customers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, effective immediately the Postal Service is temporarily extending the timeframes when a mailpiece that cannot be delivered will be returned to the sender.
The Postal Service will temporarily extend the current timeframe provided under Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual, section 508.1.1.7f, of returning mailpieces to the sender after 15 days for accountable mail (5 days for Priority Mail Express® and 10 days for Cash on Delivery or COD), and 10 days generally for all other mail (or up to 30 days for all mailpieces) per Postal Service policy, unless the customer requested a return timeframe at the time of mailing. Perishable items will continue to be handled as indicated under current Postal Service policy.
All customer notifications for items with an attempted delivery date of March 28, 2020, or later will be updated to reflect the extended 30-day timeframe. The Postal Service is also working on implementing additional notices to remind customers about missed delivery items and the extended 30-day timeframe.
When an item cannot be delivered on the first attempt, customers have several options for redelivery or pickup:
1. Schedule a redelivery online at redelivery.usps.com/redelivery.
2. Complete and place PS Form 3849, We ReDeliver For You! in their mailbox.
3. Go to their local Post Office™ to pick up their items.
4. Manage redeliveries via Informed Delivery® at informeddelivery.com.
5. Send a representative to pick up mail at the local Post Office. The addressee must sign PS Form 3849 and include the name of the representative on the form.
6. Call 800-ASK-USPS (800-275-8777) to schedule a redelivery.
Extending the timeframe to 30 days for all mail classes will help customers navigate challenges associated with the current coronavirus pandemic.
Additionally, USPS® has modified the procedures for carriers obtaining signatures upon delivery. For more information about this and other changes to Postal Service mail services during the coronavirus pandemic, visit faq.usps.com/s/article/USPS-Coronavirus-Updates-for-Residential-Customers.
This change will continue until further notice.
— Product Classification, Marketing, 4-23-20
