Home and neighborhood
Who handles lost or delayed mail or a package sent by USPS?
Who handles it
The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) handles lost or delayed mail and packages that it carries.
- Federal
- Not State
- Not Local
Facts checked November 5, 2026 · 2 sources
Why federal government
USPS provides mail processing and delivery across the U.S., so it runs its own search process when mail is lost or delayed.
What to do next
- If your item has tracking, check USPS Tracking first to see its current status.
- Submit a Missing Mail search request online. You can submit one starting 7 days from mailing.
- If the item was insured, file an insurance claim as soon as you can.
Learn the background: What do the Cabinet and federal agencies do?
Sources
Official recordUSAGov: U.S. Postal Service (USPS)
Official recordUSPS: Missing Mail and Lost Packages