I usually wait 3 weeks until I get a refund if it's domestic. Nothing domestic should take longer than that, but I'll occasionally give it a month if I'm feeling hopeful, but that is rare. If it's international, it depends on where it's coming from, but I'll usually give it 6-8 weeks. For example, if it's coming from the UK, I'll give it 6 weeks max, but if it's coming from a place like Russia, I'll give it 8 weeks. As for missing mail search requests, I barely even bother with them. I've opened many of them, and my lost packages are rarely found. I still open them as a last-ditch effort, but I don't actually believe my packages will be found (and usually they aren't), so it's better to just get a refund before any time limits cut off your opportunity. Answer from Nina_Hagen on reddit.com
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/usps_complaints › how long does a missing mail search usually take?
r/usps_complaints on Reddit: How long does a missing mail search USUALLY take?
February 13, 2022 -

I’ve looked this up very generally online, and I’ve seen some responses say it can take anywhere from a few hours to 3 months (which is when USPS officially declares a package missing). Since there’s no way I’m waiting 3 months to find out about this, when would be an appropriate time to just get a refund from the sender? I already posted about my issue on here but basically: package shipped from one state over on the 24th of January, hasn’t moved since, called the USPS and complained a few times…now on the 8th of February I was able to file a help request. Didn’t hear a response for a few days so I called and the lady told me they closed the request without giving me any information or trying to contact me (other than to say they got my request 😬). She reopened the request, and over email I was told to submit a missing mail form. The search started yesterday, and I’m just wondering if anyone else has had to do this? The person sending the package has been very worried and I wonder if maybe I should just get a refund if I don’t hear anything by the end of this week. This is extremely frustrating, looking for any insight anyone might have on this.

Edit: forgot to mention that the delivery date was supposed to be Saturday the 29th of January.

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USPS
usps.com › help › missing-mail.htm
Missing Mail and Lost Packages | USPS
If after 7 business days from when you submitted your online help request form your mail or package hasn't arrived, submit a Missing Mail search request with the following information:
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Quora
quora.com › How-long-does-it-take-for-USPS-to-find-missing-mail
How long does it take for USPS to find missing mail? - Quora
Answer (1 of 5): Sometimes they never find missing mail. I send my uncle a small parcel. Priority mail. He never received any parcel and when i went to the post office I gave them the tracking number and they told me that they couldn't deliver because there was no such address. I have sent my unc...
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Big Brand Wholesale
bigbrandwholesale.com › home › wholesale 101 › what happens when you file a usps missing mail search?
What Happens When You File a USPS Missing Mail Search? - Big Brand Wholesale
If all of the elements of the Missing Mail Search go smoothly the parcel can be located and start moving again in 3 to 5 days. BUT, sometimes, the USPS location where the parcel is does not cooperate, which makes the process very long and painful ...
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SellerSprite
sellersprite.com › home › blog › usps missing package? complete guide to find your lost mail
USPS Missing Package? Complete Guide To Find Your Lost Mail - Seller Sprite
October 15, 2025 - Read our guide: Amazon 3PL: Everything You Need to Know to learn everything you need to know about Amazon 3PL! You should submit a missing mail search request if your package has not arrived within seven business days of the expected delivery date.
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Stamps.com
stamps.com › home › how to find a lost usps letter or package
How to Find a Lost USPS Letter or Package - Stamps.com
July 10, 2023 - Mail requests are sent through First-Class Mail® and are usually delivered within 2-3 business days. Fax requests are typically completed within two hours and can be received 24/7. If your package or letter hasn’t arrived, use this process ...
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EBay
community.ebay.com › t5 › Shipping › Response-time-for-USPS-missing-mail-search › td-p › 27060029
Response time for USPS missing mail search? - The eBay Community
August 6, 2019 - The notification request lasts for two weeks before you'd have to renew it. Good luck... ... I mailed the package on April 29th, and it arrived in the buyer's town four days later.
Find elsewhere
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Blowoutforums
blowoutforums.com › showthread.php
Missing Mail Search: When To Give Up - Blowout Cards Forums
Missing Mail Search: When To Give Up Ebay/COMC/Online Selling/Shows/Paypal/Shipping
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EBay
community.ebay.com › t5 › Shipping › Can-t-open-USPS-Missing-Mail-Search-says-it-is-too-soon-but › td-p › 34255770
Can't open USPS Missing Mail Search, says it is too soon but cutoff date given is already past!
February 1, 2025 - I can't explain the error message obviously USPS is having some calculation problems. You are correct you can file a missing mail request 7 business days after the initial mailing.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/usps_complaints › has anyone had success with a "missing mail search" on usps?
r/usps_complaints on Reddit: Has anyone had success with a "Missing Mail Search" on USPS?
December 25, 2022 -

I had a fairly valuable priority mail flate rate bubble envelope shipped to me. The package was initially scanned in at a distribution center in NY. There were no updates for a week and I submitted a help request form.

USPS actually called me (which surprised me) and stated there has not been a physical scan for a while. She said I should file a "missing mail claim" and they she flagged the shipment. She continued that sometimes just flagging the package will have it moving again. I submitted the missing mail form last week, but there have not been any updates on it.

I have a small hobby business and ship USPS A LOT. I've had packages take a long time to be delivered, but I've never ran into a package having a single scan then never having an additional scan for multiple weeks. At this point, I'm wondering if I should keep patient or submit an insurance claim? There is insurance on the package, but the contents are sentimental as well as valuable and I'd rather have the package.

Has anyone submitted a Missing Mail Search with USPS and have it work? Additionally, if anyone has any input on filing an insurance claim, I'd be interested in that as well. Thanks!

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US Global Mail
usglobalmail.com › blog › lost-package-usps-now-what
Lost Package USPS - Now What? - US Global Mail
October 14, 2022 - You can get your request ready to go and then save it as a draft for up to seven days before you finalize and submit it. Just know that while you can submit this kind of Missing Mail search request at your local post office it’s a much – ...
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Postalexamreview
postalexamreview.com › blog-detail.php
USPS Missing Mail: What Is It and How Can You File a Missing Mail Request
When may I submit a request to have my missing mail looked for? You can initiate a search with the Missing Mail app no sooner than seven days following the first mailing date.
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Stamps.com
stamps.com › home › usps › usps lost package
USPS Lost Package - Stamps.com
November 28, 2023 - What if the worst does happen and your package doesn’t arrive as planned? For most classes of mail, you’ll be able to request a search from USPS after 7 days from the date of mailing. The request is called a Missing Mail Search Request.
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Bogleheads.org
bogleheads.org › board index › us investors › personal finance (not investing)
USPS Missing Mail Search Request + IRS Form 3520 - Bogleheads.org
I forgot to proactively track this (lesson learned ), but on 4/18 thought to check and at this point noticed that the USPS had lost the envelope. I started a USPS Missing Mail Search Request, which resulted in a letter from the USPS stating that "we have reviewed the scan history and estimate that it was delivered to the IRS on 04/02/2024".
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Pirate Ship
support.pirateship.com › en › articles › 4793887-how-to-look-up-missing-mail-search-requests
How to look up missing mail search requests | Pirate Ship Support
Missing Mail FAQs: USPS has a few options for missing mail searches still in progress. This FAQ page goes over most of the basics. Call USPS: They recommend calling 1-800-275-8777 (1-800-ASK-USPS) to ask for the phone number of your local Consumer Affairs office regarding a Missing Mail request.
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Amazon
sellercentral.amazon.com › seller-forums › discussions › t › d91a5d758e8fc99e86f4d6f144090c6e
Has USPS Ever Recovered Missing Mail For Anyone?
You’d think as soon as it’s scanned it would hook up with the report of missing mail…but no. Package got delivered, got scans, and then a couple of months later…“we’re sorry…we are unable to locate your package”… · I usually can get stuck mail moving again on my own without going that route… ... I get lost packages back about 50% of the time. And when they do come back, they come back really late. The longest gap I’ve had between shipped and returned to me is 2 years.
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Pirate Ship
support.pirateship.com › en › articles › 4785073-how-to-file-a-missing-mail-search-request
How to file a Missing Mail Search Request | Pirate Ship Support
You can select to have it delivered to the original recipient by selecting "Addressee," have it sent back to you by selecting "Mailer," or have it sent to a new location by selecting "Another Address." In any case, you’ll need to fill out the address you want this package sent to. USPS will also ask for a name, email address, and phone number to reach out to you with updates on this search! ... Tell USPS What's Missing: The next step is letting USPS know what’s missing!
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Stowfly
stowfly.com › blog › how-to-file-a-usps-missing-mail-search-request-a-complete-step-by-step-guide
How to File a USPS Missing Mail Search Request: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
The system won’t accept a search request before this threshold. Many users get blocked or see “tracking number not yet eligible” errors. Example: “Trying to submit a missing mail search request, but I keep getting an error…
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Kiplinger
kiplinger.com › home › personal finance
States Where Your Mail Is Most Likely to Be Lost | Kiplinger
January 27, 2025 - 3. Submit a missing mail search request: If you still haven't received your mail after seven days of submitting a help request form, fill out a missing mail request and include the following information.