How to File a Lost Package Claim with UPS, FedEx, and USPS

A lost package claim has three rules to get right: the carrier's waiting period, its filing deadline and the documents it asks for. Miss the window or file with the wrong party, and the claim gets denied even when the package is genuinely gone.

Before You File: Check the Waiting Period

Carriers won't process claims for packages that are still within the normal delivery window. Required waiting periods:

• USPS Domestic: Minimum 15 days after mailing date (Priority Mail and USPS Ground Advantage), 7 days for Priority Mail Express. Deadline to file: 60 days from the mailing date.
• USPS International: Priority Mail Express International after 3 days; Priority Mail International after 7 days (10 days to Canada). Deadline: 90 days for Express International, 6 months for Priority Mail International.
• UPS: 24 hours after the expected delivery date and time. Then give notice within 60 days of delivery, or of the scheduled delivery date if it never arrived, and file within 9 months (domestic) or 60 days (international).
• FedEx: No separate waiting period beyond the delivery date. File once the delivery date has passed. Deadline to file a loss claim: 9 months from the shipment date (FedEx, "Claims", checked 11 Oct 2026). Damage claims have shorter deadlines: 60 calendar days domestic and 21 calendar days international.

How to File a USPS Claim

• Who can file: Either the sender or the recipient for domestic mail; only the U.S. sender can start an international claim
• Go to: usps.com/help/claims.htm
• You'll need: Tracking number, the original mailing receipt, date of mailing, description of package contents, value of contents, and proof of value (purchase receipt, bank statement, screenshot)
• Coverage: USPS includes automatic coverage of up to $100 for Priority Mail, up to $100 for USPS Ground Advantage and up to $100 for Priority Mail Express, as of October 2026 (extra insurance can be bought)
• Timeline: USPS usually sends a decision within 5-10 days
• Payment: within 7-10 business days of an approved decision

USPS Missing Mail Search

Before filing a claim, USPS recommends submitting a Missing Mail search request at usps.com/help/missing-mail.htm. USPS actually searches its facilities for your package. This is different from a formal claim.

USPS emails you updates while it searches and sends the item to you if it finds it, though it cannot find every item. You can submit a search from 7 days after mailing, and it runs separately from a claim.

How to File a UPS Claim

• Who can file: The shipper (sender) or the recipient can file the claim, unless the shipper's account blocks recipient claims
• Go to: ups.com/us/en/support/file-a-claim.page
• You'll need: Tracking number, shipping date, description of damage or loss, declared value, and supporting documentation (invoice, photos if damaged)
• Coverage: UPS automatically includes $100 coverage on all shipments. Additional coverage can be purchased.
• Timeline: UPS claims typically resolved within 8-10 business days
• Payment: Issued to the shipper's account

How to File a FedEx Claim

• Who can file: The sender or recipient
• Go to: fedex.com/en-us/customer-support/claims.html
• You'll need: Tracking number, dates, package description, value, and documentation
• Coverage: FedEx automatically includes $100 coverage
• Timeline: FedEx publishes no standard resolution time; it reviews the claim and may ask you for more documents
• Note: FedEx may contact you for additional documentation after submission

What Documentation Strengthens Your Claim

• Proof of value: A purchase receipt, invoice, or bank statement showing what you paid. For custom-made items, provide a market value estimate with supporting evidence.
• Proof of mailing: A USPS receipt, UPS/FedEx shipping confirmation, or online order confirmation
• Description of contents: Be specific: 'blue wool sweater, size medium' is better than 'clothing'
• Photos of packaging: If the package arrived damaged, photograph both the exterior and the damaged contents before disposing of anything

Realistic Reimbursement Expectations

USPS Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express and Ground Advantage, UPS and FedEx all include $100 of cover on domestic shipments. Services without it, such as USPS Media Mail, carry none. For packages worth more, you need to have purchased additional insurance at the time of shipping.

If the seller shipped with only the included coverage, the most the carrier pays on the claim, whoever files it, is $100 (or the actual value, whichever is less).

For expensive items, always request that the seller purchase additional declared value insurance at the time of shipping.

Quick Reference: Lost Package Claim Summary

Verify current status on ParcelsZen before filing. One important note: for packages valued over $100, additional declared value insurance must have been purchased at shipping time. If the seller shipped with basic coverage, your claim caps at $100 regardless of what you paid. Always ask sellers to insure high-value shipments upfront.

• USPS Priority Mail: File 15-60 days after mailing | usps.com/help/claims.htm | $100 auto coverage
• USPS Ground Advantage: File 15-60 days after mailing | $100 auto coverage
• USPS Priority Mail Express: File after 7 days | $100 auto coverage
• USPS International: File after 3 days (Express International) or 7 days (Priority Mail International, 10 days to Canada) | deadline 90 days or 6 months
• UPS: Shipper files | file after 24 hours | notice within 60 days of delivery or scheduled delivery | deadline 9 months domestic, 60 days international | 8-10 day resolution | $100 auto coverage
• FedEx: Sender or recipient | no wait, file once the date has passed | loss deadline 9 months, damage 60 days domestic and 21 days international | $100 auto coverage
• Over $100 value? Additional declared value insurance must have been purchased at shipping time