1. What is USPS Package Intercept®?
USPS Package Intercept service allows customers to request to have a mailpiece that they have sent through the Postal Service intercepted prior to delivery. Customers place their request, and the information is sent to the destination delivery unit for the address on the mailpiece.
It is a domestic service and not available for international, or APO/FPO/DPO destinations, or for mailpieces that require a customs form.
USPS Package Intercept requests are open for 10 days from the day the request is made.
2. How is USPS Package Intercept service requested?
Commercial
Online request is through the Business Customer Gateway (BCG), which can be found on the lower right corner on USPS.com or at Business Customer Gateway. Customers must be a registered BCG user, with a permit account (linked to a Centralized Account Payment System (CAPS) debit or trust account), a Mailer ID and Managed Mail activity. Visit Business Customer Gateway.
Retail
The service is available by completing PS Form 1509, Sender’s Request for USPS Package Intercept® Service.
3. What Mail Classes are eligible for the USPS Package Intercept service?
All domestic mail classes are eligible except Standard Mail and Periodicals with a tracking or Extra Service barcode.
4. What are the fees and/or postage required for the service?
The fee for requesting USPS Package Intercept can be found in Notice 123, Price list.
In addition to the USPS Package Intercept fee, applicable postage and additional fees may apply for redirecting the mailpiece to a new location or back to the mailer.
5. What options are available for redirecting intercepted mailpieces?
Commercial online USPS Package Intercept requests have three redirect options:
- Back to the mailer.
- New delivery address.
- Hold For Pickup at a Post Office location of the sender's / mailer choice.
All USPS Package Intercept mailpieces requested at the Post Office are redirected back to the mailer.
6. How do I know if postage will apply to my request?
All mailpieces are returned as Priority Mail. Additional Priority Mail postage will apply to intercepted mailpieces under the following conditions:
Additional Priority Mail postage is charged when the item is found and redirected as requested by the mailer. Postage fees do not apply if the item is not found.
7. Can a customer request to have additional Extra Services on the new mailing once it is intercepted at the Post Office?
Commercial
- Adult Signature Required.
- Adult Signature Restricted Delivery.
- Insurance.
- Signature Confirmation.
Customers can purchase the following additional Extra Services for the outgoing Priority Mail mailpiece:
Note: If a mailpiece was originally sent as Registered Mail, it can only be returned to the sender. The mailpiece will maintain the original Registered Mail label number.
Retail:
No, additional extra services cannot be added to an intercepted mailpiece.
Note: All previous Extra Services requested on the original mailpiece are no longer valid once the mailpiece is intercepted.
8. What type of communication is provided to the customer?
Commercial:
Automated customer notification on the status of the service request is available through email, the USPS Package Intercept application status report online at Business Customer Gateway or customer extract file through the Product Tracking System.
Retail:
Destinating Post Offices working on the USPS Package Intercept request may provide customers with notification on the status of their request. Customer status should be provided by phone or email.
Customers may also check the status of their request by looking out for the "Customer Recall" scan event using the Track & Confirm tool on USPS.com.
9. What should a customer do before placing a USPS Package Intercept request?
Customers should validate the status of a mailpiece by using the prior to placing a request. Customers will be charged for all USPS Package Intercept requests made.
10. Is USPS Package Intercept a guaranteed service?
USPS Package Intercept is not a guaranteed service. The Postal Service will make every effort to find the mailpiece and redirect as requested, however this is not a guaranteed service and refunds are not available.
11. Do I need a permit imprint account to request a USPS Package Intercept?
Yes. You need at least one permit imprint account to request a USPS Package Intercept. Only CRIDs with a valid permit imprint account are selectable on the USPS Package Intercept request form. If you do not have a permit imprint account, you will not be able to access the request form. Learn how to setup a permit imprint account here: https://pe.usps.com/BusinessMail101/Index?ViewName=MailingPermit.
