Domestic Shipments | International Shipments

File an International Claim

Submit an Inquiry Online

If you sent a package from the U.S. to a foreign country and it was missing contents, damaged, or lost, you may be able to file an international claim for the insured value of the package:

International claims are different from domestic claims—they have to be coordinated with foreign postal administrations.
Only the U.S. sender can start an online inquiry to begin an international claim.

Alert: USPS can no longer accept or deliver international mail to several countries due to COVID-19 service impacts. See all countries with temporary service and guaranteed-delivery suspensions. Read More

Label: Mail Service Suspended. Return to Sender. To request a postage refund: 1. Go to usps.com/help/claims.htm. 3. Click on the 'International' tab for instructions. — Example of sticker on packages that were undeliverable due to COVID-19 impacts.

COVID-19 Return to Sender Postage Refunds

How to Request a Postage Refund

If you sent a package out of the U.S. and it was returned due to a COVID-19 service suspension (with the pink label shown here), please read carefully to learn what you can do to get a refund:

If you bought postage directly from the USPS at a Post Office^™ location or using a postage meter, please bring your package to your local Post Office for a refund.
If you bought postage with the Click-N-Ship^® application, you can start a refund inquiry by contacting the Click-N-Ship Help Desk: Please put the label number in the "Additional Information" field.
If you bought postage from a third-party PC Postage® vendor (like Stamps.com, EasyPost, Endicia, Pitney Bowes, Ebay, or PayPal), please follow instructions provided by your vendor. For more refund information, visit PostalPro.

If your package is damaged or has missing contents, please see the "Receiving Damaged International Shipments" section.

How It Works

Check filing periods for each international mail service.
Gather your documents including your 13-digit tracking number and other supporting documentation.
Click "Create an Inquiry," log in to your USPS.com account, and complete the online form.
NOTE: If any required documents are not included, you will be unable to submit your inquiry.
If your inquiry is eligible for a claim, you will be notified via email: "Claim Sent for Review."
After our claims department processes your claim, you'll receive an email with the claim results.

Create an Inquiry Inquiry History

How to File a Claim - Video

Image of a user accessing the help section of www.usps.com

Our "How to File an International Claim on USPS.com" video gives step-by-step instructions for submitting your claim and proof of value documents.

"How to File an International Claim on USPS.com" Video Transcript (TXT 4 KB)

How to File a Claim

Expand All

Step 1: Check Filing Periods

Each international mail service has a different filing period. The filing period is based on the mailing date on your receipt.

Filing a Claim for Lost Mail or Packages

Service	File After	File Before	Other Restrictions
Global Express Guaranteed^® (GXG^®)	3 days	30 days	Inquiries cannot be processed online. Call 1-800-222-1811. Customers will need a 10-digit GXG tracking number which starts with either "82" or "83" and the GXG Air Waybill (PS Form 11FGG1) as evidence of mailing.
Priority Mail Express International^® (PMEI)	3 days	90 days	Online inquiries can only be initiated by the U.S. sender.
PMEI with Money-Back Guarantee	3 days	30 days	3–90 days to submit an inquiry for loss, damaged, or missing contents
Priority Mail International^®	7 days	6 months	Online inquiries can only be initiated by the U.S. sender
Registered Mail^®	7 days	6 months	Online inquiries can only be initiated by the U.S. sender
First-Class Mail International^®	-	-	Inquiries are not accepted for ordinary letters sent without Registered Mail service.
First-Class Package International Service^®	-	-	Inquiries cannot be processed online for ordinary parcels sent without Registered Mail service.

Step 2: Gather Your Documents

You'll need to include all of the required documentation to submit your inquiry. Save all your evidence documents until your claim is resolved.

Tracking or Label Number

Include the 13-digit USPS Tracking® or label number that appears on the receipt beginning with EA-EZ, CA-CZ, HC-HZ, or RA-RZ and ending in US.

Sender's & Recipient's Contact Information

Have these basic contact details for the sender and recipient:

Name
Mailing Address
Phone Number
Email

Mailing Information

Be ready to provide these mailing details:

Date
Weight
Postage paid
Additional fees (if applicable)
A description of contents

Proof of Mailing

Any of these can be used to show proof of mailing:

Mailing label
Customs form
Printouts of the online transaction
Post Office^™ shipping receipt

Proof of Value

Any of these can be used to show proof of value:

Sales receipt
Invoice or bill of sale
Copy of canceled check or money order
Credit card billing receipt
Statement of value from a reputable dealer
Estimates of repair costs from a reputable dealer
Printout of the online transaction

Step 3: Create an Inquiry

When you're ready to start your inquiry, log in to your USPS.com account, and complete the online form.

Create an Inquiry

Claim Status & Results

If your inquiry is eligible for a claim, you will be notified via email: "Claim Sent for Review."
After our claims department processes your claim, you'll receive an email with the claim results.

Check Inquiry History

Receiving Damaged International Shipments

You must immediately present the article, mailing container, wrapping, packaging, and any other contents received in damaged condition and/or with missing contents to a Post Office for inspection. The Post Office will verify the damage and give you a PS Form 3831, Receipt for Article(s) Damaged in Mails, for your files.

In addition, it is recommended you contact the foreign sender and ask the sender to file an inquiry with the postal administration from where the item was mailed. All claims for inbound items that are lost, or are delivered to the addressee in damaged condition or with missing contents are payable to the sender, unless the sender waives the right to payment, in writing, in favor of the addressee.

Proof of Damage

These items will help prove the damage to your incoming shipment:

Document(s) supporting damage from U.S. mailer
Document(s) supporting damage from foreign addressee
Receipt of article(s) damaged in the mail
Photos of the damage
Description and value of contents

Additional Resources

Get complete details regarding the international inquiry and international claims processes, including appeals in the International Mail Manual (IMM^®).

IMM Chapter 9: Inquiries, Indemnities, and Refunds

Terms and Conditions of Use for USPS® International Inquiries

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