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Despite our best efforts, mail is occasionally damaged or lost.
If this happens to your article, the following information will help you file a claim.
Who May File a Claim: For Damage or Loss of Contents: Mailer or addressee. Note: If the mailer initiates the claim, the addressee should retain the article for inspection by the local Post Office™ and should not return it to the mailer.
For a Lost Article:
- Mailer or addressee (whoever has the original mailing receipt or the original sales receipt).
- Exception: Unnumbered insured articles mailed before May 14, 2007—Mailer only.
When to File a Claim:
Damage or Loss of Contents: File immediately, but no later than 60 days from the date of mailing.
Lost Articles: File within the time limits in the chart below.
| Type of Service |
Earliest Filing Date * |
Latest Filing Date* |
| Insured Mail |
21 days |
180 days |
| Collect on Delivery (COD) |
45 days |
180 days |
| Registered Mail™ |
15 days |
180 days |
| Registered COD |
45 days |
180 days |
| Express Mail ® |
7 days |
90 days |
| Express Mail COD |
45 days |
90 days |
| APO/FPO Insured® (First-Class Mail, space available (SAM),
parcel airlift (PAL), or COD) |
45 days |
1 year |
| APO/FPO Insured (Surface Mail) |
75 days |
1 year |
*Number of Days After Date of Mailing
Where to File a Claim:
File a claim at any Post Office. Customers who purchased insurance online through Click-N-Ship® or eBay may file claims
online at www.usps.com/onlineclaims.
What Is Required to File a Claim:
For claims filed at Post Offices, the items below must be submitted with PS Form 1000, Domestic Claim or Registered Mail Inquiry. For online claims, the items below must be submitted online — except Proof of Damage, which must be submitted to a Post Office. In addition to the items listed below, the Postal Service™ may request additional information or documentation for the purpose of processing your claim.
1. Evidence of Insurance: The original mailing or sales receipt from the Postal Service showing the insurance amount. Reproduced copies are not acceptable. Mailing receipts for Insured Mail, Registered Mail, and COD articles purchased at the retail window must contain a Postal Service postmark. If the original mailing or sales receipt is not available, the wrapper showing evidence of insurance, postage, names, and addresses is acceptable (if only the wrapper is presented, indemnity may be limited). Insurance purchased online requires either an online label record or a computer printout from the Web-based application showing the label number, postage and fees paid, declared value, shipping date, and ZIP Code™ for the mailer and for the addressee. For example, a copy of the Click-N-Ship Online Label Record or the eBay Shipping History Details page provides evidence of insurance.
2. Evidence of Value: At least one of the following: a sales receipt, an invoice or bill of sale, a cost statement for replacing Express Mail service documents, a copy of the front and back of the canceled check, a copy of the money order receipt, a copy of the credit card billing statement, or a final or complete transaction sheet indicating the amount deducted from an Internet account.
3. Proof of Damage and/or Partial or Complete Loss of Contents: The article and mailing container. Include the wrapping, packaging, and any contents that were received. For damage, provide an estimate of repair (if applicable). For claims filed online, the damaged item and packaging must be presented to the local Post Office with the printer-friendly version of the online claim summary.
4. Proof of a Lost Article (for Unnumbered Insured Mail sent before May 14, 2007, only): While generally no proof for a lost article is required, for unnumbered Insured Mail sent before May 14, 2007, include a document bearing the addressee’s signature and stating that the addressee did not receive the article. The document must be dated and filed in accordance with the timeline chart on page 1.
5. Official Claim Form: PS Form 1000 with Section A completed by the customer. Copies of PS Form 1000 are available from any Post Office and also from the Postal Service Web site at www.usps.com; click on All Products & Services, then Forms, then Find a Form, All Online PDF Forms in Numeric Order, and then PS Form 1000. A PS Form 1000 is not required to file a Click-N-Ship or eBay claim online at www.usps.com/onlineclaims.
For more information on filing domestic claims, visit the Postal Service Web site at http://www.usps.com/insuranceclaims/welcome.htm. |