Seeing “Addressee Unknown” when you check your US Postal Service tracking number can be frustrating and confusing. But fear not! It doesn’t mean your mail is lost. It usually means the mail carrier didn’t recognize your name and held on to the package to return to the post office. This article covers why you might see this status and how to make sure you get your package. Plus, we’ll share other statuses the Post Office and other delivery services use when they can’t deliver a package.
USPS “Addressee Unknown” Meaning
The “Addressee Unknown” tracking status means that the mail carrier doesn’t recognize the name on the package. USPS has withheld it until they can identify the recipient or return it to the sender. To inquire and resolve the issue, submit the USPS Package Help Request Form or call (800) 275-8777.
Steps
What to Do When You See “Addressee Unknown”
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Wait to see if the package is delivered the next business day. If the mail carrier mistakenly or improperly assigned an “Addressee Unknown” status to your package, they will most likely deliver it within 1-2 business days. The best thing to do is give them a few days and see if the package shows up at your door.
- Check the tracking status while you wait. Sometimes, postal employees update incorrect statuses as they process the package.
- You may also want to contact the sender to check the name and address the package was sent to. If your name or address was incorrect, provide them with the correct information and ask them to resend the package.
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Submit the USPS Help Request form or call (800) 275-8777. If you still haven’t received the package after 1-2 business days, go to the USPS Package Inquiry Page to submit a Help Request Form or contact USPS customer support . Enter your package’s tracking number . Provide a description of the package, your contact information, and the sender’s information if you have it. [3] X Research source
- A Post Office employee will contact you within a few days of making your request.
- If you call the Customer Care number, enter your 5-digit postal code when prompted. Then, press 3 for “Delivery Issue” to be connected with a Customer Care Representative in your area.
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After 7 business days, request a Missing Mail Search. If you still haven’t received your package 7 business days after requesting help, go to https://missingmail.usps.com to recover a lost package. Provide the sender’s mailing address, your mailing address, the size and type of packaging, the tracking number, and a description of the package’s contents. [4] X Research source
- If you’d rather talk to someone in person, find your local Post Office . Then, visit in person to request a Missing Mail Search. Don’t forget to take your tracking number with you.
- Notify the sender that you have not received the package. They may also submit a Missing Mail Search. If the package is lost and insured, the sender can file a claim to be reimbursed.
Expert Q&A
Tips
References
- ↑ https://about.usps.com/what/business-services/delivery-growth-management/assets/pdf/section-611.pdf
- ↑ https://faq.usps.com/s/article/No-Mail-Delivery
- ↑ https://www.usps.com/help/missing-mail.htm
- ↑ https://www.usps.com/help/missing-mail.htm
- ↑ https://about.usps.com/what/business-services/delivery-growth-management/assets/pdf/section-611.pdf
- ↑ https://about.usps.com/what/business-services/delivery-growth-management/assets/pdf/section-611.pdf
- ↑ https://facts.usps.com/one-day
- ↑ https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2020/10/15/usps-false-scans-packages/
- ↑ https://federalnewsnetwork.com/federal-report/2023/05/usps-sees-massive-turnover-in-non-career-workers-as-union-protests-short-staffing/
- ↑ https://www.uspis.gov/news/scam-article/smishing-package-tracking-text-scams
- ↑ https://faq.usps.com/s/article/How-is-Undeliverable-and-Misdelivered-Mail-Handled
- ↑ https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/507.htm?_gl=1*1c00ld3*_gcl_au*MTczMTExODI4Mi4xNzI5NjI1NjM3*_ga*MTAwNzY4OTA1NC4xNzI5NjI1NjM3*_ga_3NXP3C8S9V*MTczMDEyMzkwMC4zLjEuMTczMDEyNjI2My4wLjAuMA..#a_1_9
- ↑ https://faq.usps.com/articles/FAQ/Where-is-my-package?r=6&ui-force-components-controllers-recordGlobalValueProvider.RecordGvp.getRecord=1
- ↑ https://faq.usps.com/articles/FAQ/Where-is-my-package?r=6&ui-force-components-controllers-recordGlobalValueProvider.RecordGvp.getRecord=1
- ↑ https://faq.usps.com/articles/FAQ/Where-is-my-package?r=6&ui-force-components-controllers-recordGlobalValueProvider.RecordGvp.getRecord=1
- ↑ https://www.dhl.com/es-en/ecommerce/home/private-shipments/customer-service/receive-a-parcel/tracking-your-shipment.html
- ↑ https://www.fedex.com/en-us/customer-support/faqs/receiving/tracking-questions/delivery-exception.html
- ↑ https://www.ups.com/us/en/support/tracking-support/where-is-my-package/understanding-tracking-status.page