People use a variety of services to receive and send packages because USPS delivers packages all over the world. Packages can accidentally be delivered to the incorrect address, which causes you to receive packages intended for someone else.
As soon as this occurs, the first thing that crosses our minds is that this package was allegedly sent by someone else. We will all encounter USPS package refusal. So how to refuse a USPS package? Just mark the package with “refused”, and then drop it at the nearest courier service. However, you must complete it within the allotted time. Be sure to correctly type the return address as well.
We are here to help you with everything you need to know about this, so you are able to make an informed decision on whether to accept or not to accept it.
Read More: How To Address A Package?
Table of Contents
Understanding USPS Mail Refusal Options
As mentioned above there are two instances where you can refuse a mail;
- Refuse Usps Mail At The Time Of Delivery
Only at the time of delivery can you choose to reject mail if you discover that it does not belong to you.
- Refusal After The Delivery Of Package
Even after delivery, you can still choose to reject the mail. Make sure the seal hasn’t been broken or the container hasn’t been opened. You must mark it “Refused” and send it back within a reasonable amount of time. Only when it is not opened can the mail be refused.
If you want to send the mail back to the sender, you must put it in a fresh envelope or package with the correct address and new postage. Mark it as “Refused” and send it back to the sender. View the illustration below.
Read More: Does USPS Open Packages?
Steps Of Refusal
You must now be considering how USPS refuse a package? You can find all the answers if you give it a few minutes. The goal of this article is to clear up any confusion. You should follow these steps:
- Through tracking, you can inform the company and have the USPS package returned if it is headed in the wrong direction.
- When you receive the package, you must mark it “refused” in large letters. The delivery team will then need to receive it back from you.
- When placing the package in your mailbox, mark it “refused” and place it there.
- A different option is to return it to the service provider by sending it via postal mail.
- The cancellation of the order may also be handled over the phone. A very efficient and convenient method of communication is by phone.
- You should get in touch with the merchant if you already used your credit card to purchase the item.
- If you choose to reject an order using cash on delivery, the USPS will charge you for the delivery fee.
Conditions For Refusal And Returns
You must first have the unsigned acknowledgment receipt. The shipment must be canceled before you sign, in other words. If you have already signed the receipt, you are therefore not qualified for the USPS package intercept.
The second requirement is that the package be undamaged. The company forbids the refusal of a damaged package.
Thirdly, you have a certain amount of time to return the package after receiving it. The refusal procedures will be disabled automatically after the specified time period.
Fourthly, the USPS forbids the rejection of a small amount of mail or letters. The categories of packages that are ineligible for refusal include those sent via registered mail, those that require a signature for delivery, those that require return receipts, and more.
Furthermore, the parcel’s contents cannot be lost, which brings us to our final point. If the parcel is not yours, you can also return it or refuse to accept it.
You must therefore exercise caution with regard to a few things that you must accept:
- Pieces sent as registered mail,
- Certified mail,
- Insured mail,
- Return receipt for,
- Merchandise mail,
- Response mail to the addresses sales promotion,
- Addresses solicitation or announcement,
- unidentified addresses’ mail
What Packages Cannot Be Rejected After Delivery?
The following items are not eligible for postage-free return:
- 1. You can’t return registered mail
- 2. If you accepted the official receipt when it was delivered, you cannot refuse the package.
- 3. When provided to the addressee, mail sent for the addressee’s sales promotion, appeal, announcement, or another marketing purpose cannot be denied and must be delivered before being returned freight-free.
- 4. parcels delivered to a PO Box.
How To Reject A USPS Package Before It Is Delivered?
If you are going to receive a shipment from USPS that you do not want to accept, you can let your post office know. If you do not want the shipment delivered to you, let the delivery office know. The delivery process will be stopped, and the goods will be shipped back to the original sender.
There are no packages that you can’t refuse. The free return postage to the sender does not apply to all items, including COD items, registered mail, or any promotional emails. It implies that you will be responsible for the cost of returning these postal shipments to their sender.
However, you must first determine whether the package is eligible for package intercept before asking your local post office to delay delivery of any shipment. Only when your item is still in transit and hasn’t been delivered is Package Intercept useful. You cannot reject a package from USPS before it has been delivered, though, unless you are using USPS Shipment Intercept.
If the addressee requests it in writing, any international letter or printed item with a specific name or address that appears outside may not be shipped for up to two years. The Post Office marks such mail as “Refused” and treats it as undeliverable.
Related Reading: How To Address A Package?
How To Determine If Your Package Is Eligible For Refusing Before Delivery?
- To begin, you must first log in to USPS.com. To hold the delivery and determine eligibility, simply submit your request online.
- After submitting your request, you’ll receive an estimated total (intercept fee plus anticipated Priority Mail® postage, if applicable). Following that, we’ll try to stop and reroute the package.
- Your credit card will be charged $15.25 for the Package Intercept fee, plus any applicable postage, if the package is intercepted. If the actual postage is higher than what was anticipated, any extra postage will be charged.
- Your delivery will either be sent back to the sender or held for pickup at the nearest post office.
Can You Refuse A Opened USPS Package?
A package from USPS will be considered accepted the moment you open it, so you won’t be able to reject it in any way after that point.
However, if you know the package does not belong to you and you accidentally opened it, you will still be able to try to return it to its rightful owner.
Therefore, if you accidentally opened someone else’s mail and are unsure whether it has been delivered to you or not, call your local post office or go there to see if anyone has called in about a package that has been lost.
Can I Cancel A USPS Shipment In 2022?
As of 2022, USPS does not provide a shipment cancellation option. But if you want something sent back to the sender, you can refuse delivery or use USPS’ Package Intercept service. While Package Intercept costs $15.25 plus any additional postage costs, refusing a package is free. Additionally, before shipping labels are used, USPS lets you cancel them.
The rest of my research is available if you’re interested in finding out more about how to reject a package, intercept a package, or cancel a USPS shipping label.
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FAQs
How Soon Will A Refused USPS Package Be Sent Back To The Sender?
In 5–7 days, packages are typically delivered. Delivery normally takes 1-2 weeks, barring any backend problems.
Does It Cost Anything To Return Something To The Sender?
If you haven’t opened it, you can return the package for free. Simply cross through your name and address, then add “Return to Sender” on the front. Even if the package has been opened, you can still return it, but you’ll have to cover the shipping fees.
Return Receipt has two prices: $3.05 for a postal receipt and $1.85 for an email-delivered online receipt. It is possible to add additional services like USPS Tracking, Signature Confirmation, Special Handling, Restricted Delivery, and Parcel Airlift Service.
After A USPS Package Has Been Opened, Can You Refuse It Legally?
You can no longer refuse a package from USPS if you open it to show that you accept it.
This rule has a few exceptions, like when you unintentionally open a package that wasn’t yours.
After accidentally opening someone else’s mail, you should always check with your local post office to see if anyone has reported a missing package.
Packages Rejected By USPS Are Subject To A Fee, Right?
USPS won’t charge the person who rejects a package, but the recipient will.
If the package was sent via Ground Retail (or any USPS shipping service that is not Priority Mail or Priority Express), the sender will be charged to return the package.
Due to the volume of business that they send to the US Postal Service (USPS) and the fact that they factor the costs of returned packages into their shipping charges, the majority of large eCommerce businesses don’t pay full price when it comes to shipping.
However, nobody—not even the sender of the package—will be charged if it was delivered via Priority Mail or Priority Express.
When Not At Home, How Do You Reject A USPS Package?
With the USPS Hold Mail service, your mail can be securely stored at the closest Post Office facility for up to 30 days until you get back. If you want your mail held or forwarded, please sign up for a forwarding service. Orders can be placed up to 30 days in advance or on the day after the next scheduled delivery. By three in the morning, specify the start date for your Hold Mail service. 12 a.m. CT or 2 a.m. ET PT) on the day indicated.
Here’s how to request a hold on mail from the USPS:
- Create an account on USPS.com or sign in if you already have one.
- To confirm your identity at USPS Hold Mail, simply follow the instructions.
- Following a successful validation of your identification, you won’t need to repeat this process for your registered address.
You are not charged for using the USPS Hold Mail service. A single USPS Hold Mail service may be active at a specific address at any given time. Since mail sent to a PO Box will be allowed to collect for up to 30 days, the PO Box does not require a USPS Hold Mail request. Keep the confirmation number handy in case any adjustments are necessary.
In extreme cases, mail may be kept longer if the postmaster deems it necessary and customers arrange for regular pickup of the collected mail. To consent to the holding of their mail, customers can sign PS Form 8076, Authorization to Hold Mail.
How Do I Refuse A USPS Package Online?
Simply log into your USPS.com account and request to refuse delivery. After submitting your request, you’ll receive an estimated total that includes the intercept charge and any projected Priority Mail® freight, if applicable. Following that, they’ll attempt to intercept and reroute the package.
Conclusion
USPS can only reject an unopened package. Additionally, you can reject a shipment while it is still in transit by using USPS Package Intercept, which needs a USPS account.
Write “refused” on the deliverables when you want to reject a package, and then cross your address and barcode underneath it to make sure the package actually gets to a person and isn’t accidentally sent back to you.
Read More: How To Buy Unclaimed Packages?
