USPS Package Intercept | Works | Fees | Types

What is USPS Package Intercept?

• USPS Package Intercept ® is a fee-based service that enables anyone – sender AND recipient – to authorize the redirection of qualifying domestic letters, flats and parcels that have a USPS Tracking® or Extra Services barcode. If the item does not bear a USPS Tracking or Extra Services barcode, intercepting it is not possible. Not sure if your item qualifies for interception? Check your item’s mail class here.

Note: Package Intercept is available for all domestic mail classes except USPS Marketing Mail™ (formerly Standard Mail®) & Periodicals.

How does USPS Package Intercept work?

Upon request, items are intercepted at the original destination Post Office and then redirected to a different domestic mailing address, back to the sender, or to a Post Office as Hold for Pickup (but not to a PO Box). USPS Package Intercept® is not a guaranteed service and certain conditions apply.

• First, you will need to verify the item is eligible for an intercept using either the USPS Tracking® tool or the eligibility checker on USPS.com®. Regardless of where your mail item is along the mail stream, or what tracking messages you have received, if your package is eligible, you can proceed with a package intercept request.
• Second, whether you are the sender or recipient, you must have a USPS.com account with a credit or debit card stored in your profile to request Package Intercept. Register online and submit the Package Intercept request. (A credit or debit card is required for payment of the intercept and estimated postage fees.)

As long as the item has not been delivered or released for delivery (out on the carrier’s delivery route), USPS Package Intercept® will prevent delivery to the addressee. Based on your request, the item is redirected either:

1. Back to the sender;
2. To a new domestic address; or
3. To a Post Office™ as Hold for Pickup (but not to a PO Box).

All intercepted items, except those being returned to sender, are relabeled as new Priority Mail pieces. Once intercepted, they are redirected at the applicable Priority Mail postage rate. You pay all fees ONLY if an intercept was possible.

Note: You cannot edit or cancel your Package Intercept request.

How do I get started?

Non-Commercial USPS Package Intercepts

• If you are the sender and you mail an item to the wrong address and want it returned to you, delivered to another address, or to a Post Office as Hold For Pickup (but not to a PO Box), you can opt for USPS Package Intercept® service to attempt recovery of the item before delivery.
• If you are the recipient of the mailpiece and want to change the address where you will receive the item, you can also request the mail piece be intercepted and redirected to another address.
• Whether sender or recipient, the person requesting the intercept must have a USPS.com account and a credit or debit card stored in their profile to intercept the item. Upon successful interception, the intercept fee and any applicable postage are charged to the person requesting USPS Package Intercept®. If the item is delivered before it can be intercepted, there is no charge.

Note: You cannot edit or cancel your Package Intercept request.
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Commercial USPS Package Intercepts

• Please note: Residential customers cannot intercept an item that was shipped commercially.
• Commercially shipped packages typically have a tracking number that begins with “92” or “93”. If you’re a commercial customer with a Centralized Account Processing System (CAPS) debit or trust account, you can request USPS Package Intercept® by registering online and submitting your request through the Business Customer Gateway. As a commercial customer, you can intercept individually or in bulk.
  Access the Business Customer Gateway Now 

How much does it USPS Package Intercepts cost?

Any applicable postage and fees for sending the intercepted item to a different location or for purchasing an Extra Service will be charged at the time of intercept – if the intercept is possible – or otherwise will be collected at the time of delivery by a USPS carrier.
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The package intercept fee applies for each mailpiece intercepted. No fee is charged until the item is found and redirected. When the order summary page appears, you will see an “Estimated Total” for your Package Intercept order. Fees are estimated based on whatever information is available on your package – generally, weight and dimensions. Once the package is intercepted, your credit card will be charged an actual cost that may vary from the estimated total.

Additional postage and fees may be applicable to redirect the item as requested by the mailer and will be charged to the requestor’s credit card or debit card, after a successful intercept.

Get Package Intercept price information >

Extra Postage Fee Exceptions

• Items originally mailed as Priority Mail Express®, and Priority Mail®, as well as First-Class Mail® being redirected to the sender, are not relabeled and bear no additional postage cost. Again, the intercept fee is charged at the time of successful intercept, or collected by the USPS carrier at the time of delivery.
• When requests for commercial intercepts are made through the Business Customer Gateway, postage and fees are automatically deducted from the customer’s ACH Debit or Credit (Trust Account), after a successful intercept. An ACH Debit or Credit (Trust Account) is required to pay the package intercept fee and any applicable postage and fees (such as Extra Services) for the intercepted item.
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What about other options for USPS Package intercepted mail?

When a package intercept is requested, Extra Services can also be added to the intercepted item(s) when redirected to a new address or a Post Office as a Hold for Pickup (but not to a PO Box). No matter the original eligible mail class, when the item is relabeled as Priority Mail®, it is assigned a new mailing barcode and may include applicable Extra Services. Customers can continue to track the status of the Intercepted package using the original article tracking number.

Customers can choose from the following services:

1. Adult Signature Required.
2. Adult Signature Restricted Delivery.
3. Insurance (but only if the original shipment included insurance and only at the original value stated).
4. Signature Confirmation™.

Extra Services Exceptions

• Extra Services cannot be added to items that are redirected to the sender, regardless of class.
• Return to Sender is the only intercept option available for Registered Mail. Registered Mail items are returned with the original Registered Mail number, and are not re-labeled or re-packaged.

Need more information? Learn about Package Intercept time limits and guarantees, as well as mail classes that can be intercepted.