Redelivery happens when the US Postal Service tries to deliver your mail but cannot.
So what happens if your mail is not delivered on the first attempt?
Will you need to pay for redelivery?
Here’s How Much Redelivery With USPS Costs:
If the first attempt to deliver your mail fails, it must be redelivered. According to the USPS website, that redelivery is free of charge. If the first delivery attempt was unsuccessful, there is no fee to have your mail redelivered.
Table of Contents
Who Pays For USPS Redeliveries?
You may wonder what happens if the first attempt to deliver your mail is unsuccessful. If this happens, then you will need to schedule a redelivery.
Scheduling redelivery is free of charge.
It is included in the services you pay for at the US Postal Service. However, redelivery is limited and can only be scheduled once.
So if the redelivery is still unsuccessful, your mail will be on hold at the post office for 15 days so you can claim it yourself.
If unclaimed, it will be returned to the sender.
When things go wrong, USPS May Open Your Package – here are 9 reasons why that might happen!
How Many Times Will USPS Attempt A Delivery?
The USPS will attempt a delivery 1 to 2 times.
If the first delivery attempt was unsuccessful for something that you could have addressed, the carrier would leave a form in your mailbox so you can schedule a redelivery.
This is the PS Form 3849.
However, if the failed delivery attempt was due to inclement weather, USPS would automatically schedule redelivery on the next business day.
What Are Your Options If You Miss A Delivery?
There are several reasons why your mail was not delivered successfully.
Here are the most common reasons:
- The mailbox was full.
- The mail or package was too large to fit in the mailbox.
- A signature of an adult is required upon receipt of the mail.
- Payment of postage or other fees is required upon receipt of the mail.
- The mail contains items that are heavily insured.
- The mail must be received by someone who was unavailable during the delivery attempt.
If you miss a delivery for any of the reasons above, you have two options:
- Carrier Redelivery – This option lets you choose a date for your mail to be redelivered.
- Customer Pickup – This option allows you to pick up your mail at your local post office.
The USPS carrier will leave the PS Form 3849 in your mailbox whenever you miss a delivery.
This is to notify you of the failed delivery attempt and allow you to select the redelivery option that you prefer.
Does USPS Redeliver Automatically? Find out more in our recent article here!
By Scanning The QR Code
The PS Form 3849 has a QR Code that you can scan to choose your preferred redelivery method.
This is the most convenient way to schedule a redelivery. All you need is a smartphone with an internet connection.
By Going To The USPS Website
This is another quick and easy way to inform the local post office of your preferred redelivery method.
Through this option, you can even opt for same-day delivery as long as the request was made before 2 pm. You just need to go to the USPS website.
You would need the USPS tracking number on the PS Form 3849. If you have a USPS Account, you can also log in.
Once you’re on the website, follow the prompts to schedule redelivery. After selecting and finalizing the redelivery schedule, you will receive an email with the confirmation number for your request.
Make sure to keep this number if you want to modify your request.
By Manually Filling Out The Form
Alternatively, you can manually fill out the PS Form 3849 and leave it in your mailbox for the USPS carrier.
Using this method, you cannot request same-day redelivery.
If you opt for this method, you must give USPS 2 days to redeliver your mail.
The first day is for the carrier to get the completed form, and the second is for the actual redelivery attempt.
By Contacting USPS Via Phone
You can also call your local post office to select your redelivery option.
When contacting USPS by phone, make sure to have the tracking number found on the PS Form 3849.
If you do not have the tracking number, your only option is to go to the local post office to pick up your mail.
Don’t forget to bring a valid photo ID so the post office staff can verify your identity when you claim your mail.
Want to know when USPS might ask for an ID? Check out our article, here!
How Do You Spot Scam Emails Around This Issue?
In the past months, many people have been getting scam emails saying there was a failed delivery attempt.
These emails would contain instructions on how to claim your undelivered mail, and people who open these emails and follow the instructions get scammed.
Either they lose money or give away their personal information to a sketchy website.
How to Avoid This
The easiest way to spot a scam email is by checking the email address.
Scam emails use sketchy domain names, a tell-tale sign that it is a scam email.
Another way to spot a scam email is by checking the message itself. Scam emails have inconsistencies in font style and size.
They also contain a lot of grammatical errors and spelling mistakes.
How Do You Avoid Getting Scammed?
In this modern day and age, we provide our email addresses almost everywhere that involve a sign-up form.
So, there is no perfect way to avoid receiving scam emails. However, you can still avoid getting scammed.
Here’s how:
Do Not Click On any Links in the Email
While opening the email to examine it is completely fine, we strongly advise not to open any links inside the email body itself.
These links would normally route you to an online form that requires you to enter your personal information, such as your full name, home address, phone number, and mother’s maiden name.
Some would even ask for your credit card details.
Do not click on links to avoid being routed to web pages like this. If you do, you will end up getting scammed.
Do Not Click On any Attachments
Email image attachments may contain links that will route you elsewhere.
So for the same reason indicated above, do not click on any attachments.
Do Not Provide your Personal Information
If you happen to click on any link or attachment by accident and it leads you to a site asking for your information, close it immediately.
Do not provide any of your information.
Do Not Provide your Payment Information
As mentioned earlier in this article, redelivery is free of charge.
So if you get an email or text message from USPS asking you to pay a certain amount for redelivery, just ignore the message and delete it.
USPS will never text or email you to ask for your credit card details.
Read also:USPS & Airmail: 12 Common Questions (Answered)
Keep Your Security Programs Up-to-Date
There are some programs or applications that you can install to increase the security of your computer.
Anti-spam software can identify sketchy emails and route them to your spam folder, so you don’t get them in your inbox.
Know the Redelivery Policies Of Usps
The most important thing to remember here is that when you miss a delivery, USPS will notify you through the PS Form 3849 that the carrier attaches to your mailbox.
They will NOT notify you through text or email.
So if you get an email or text message about a failed delivery attempt, you can automatically ignore and delete this.
If you want to be sure, then call USPS.
Do UPS And USPS Work Together? Read our article to find out!