The Postal Service™ is no longer extending the time before a mail piece will be returned to sender. The times in the table below are in effect again.
- Check the "Final Notice" box on the peach-colored PS Form 3849 - Delivery Notice/Reminder/Receipt. If this box is marked, then this will be the last notice you will receive before your package or extra service mail item is returned to the original sender.
- The carrier will not have the item with them when the "Final Notice" is left.
- Your mailpieces or extra service mail items will be returned to the sender on the date indicated unless you arrange a redelivery or come to pick up your mail at your local Post Office™ facility before this date.
- Articles with extra services are held for 15 days, with the exception of Collect on Delivery (COD), which is held for 10 days (unless fewer days are designated by mailer, or it includes Hold For Pickup service).
Second/Final Notice Return Dates
Service | Second /Final Notice | Total Number of Days Held after Initial Delivery Attempt |
Certified Mail™ | 5 days after receipt of first notice | 15 days |
Certified Mail - Food Stamps | 5 days after receipt of first notice | Local policy may vary |
Collect on Delivery (COD) | 5 days after receipt of first notice | 10 days (unless fewer days are designated by mailer) |
Customs | 5 days after receipt of first notice | 30 days (unless fewer days are designated by mailer) |
USPS Tracking® | 5 days after receipt of first notice | 15 days |
Priority Mail | 5 days after receipt of first notice | 15 days |
Priority Mail Express (includes Priority Mail Express International®) | 3 days after receipt of first notice | 5 days after first attempt |
Foreign Origin International Mail (includes Foreign Origin Registered Mail International; excludes Priority Mail Express International) | 5 days after receipt of first notice | 30 Days |
Insured Mail (includes Ground Advantage) | 5 days after receipt of first notice | 15 days |
Parcel (Ordinary / Uninsured) | 5 days after receipt of first notice | 15 days |
Perishable Parcel* | 5 days after receipt of first notice | Destroyed after 10 days |
Postage Due | 5 days after receipt of first notice | 15 days |
Registered Mail® (Domestic and Outbound (originating in the US) International Registered Mail) | 5 days after receipt of first notice | 15 days |
Signature Confirmation™ | 5 days after receipt of first notice | 15 days |
* If endorsed Postmaster: Perishable
- Unless otherwise noted, the return date is in calendar days, not Postal business days. If the return date falls on a non-Postal Business day, the item will be returned on the following Postal Business day.
- Articles with extra services are held for 15 days, with the exception of COD which is held for 10 days (unless fewer days are designated by mailer, or it includes Hold For Pickup service) and Priority Mail Express which is held for 5 days, before being returned to the mailer.
- All items are available for pickup at the local Post Office™ until close of business on the applicable return date. The item is returned to the sender at close of business.
- Accountable Mail is returned to the sender after 15 days (30 days for Customs).
- Carriers will leave two notices (regardless of whether or not a customer schedules a redelivery): first and final.
- If a customer schedules a redelivery after the first notice has been left by the carrier and is not home to accept the item, the carrier will leave a second/final notice.
- If the customer schedules a redelivery after the second/final notice has been left by the carrier and is not home to accept the item, another notice will not be left by the carrier.