sometimes you find yourself in need of a certain package.
if you have tracking, then you can know that the package arrived at the usps office.
Since it can sometimes take a few days for the USPS to sort and deliver everything, you may be wondering if you can pick it up early.
If it did, it would allow you to get your hands on the package without having to wait a few more days.
Here’s what you need to know about whether you can pick up a package from the USPS before they try to deliver it.
can i pick up a package from usps before delivery?
yes, you can pick up a package from usps before it is delivered.
usps understands that not everyone wants to wait for a package.
This is why they have implemented two services to help their customers pick up packages before they are delivered.
There are some restrictions on the type of package that can use these services.
You also need to pay a small fee.
There is one more thing you can do to get your package early that costs nothing.
Here are three ways to pick up your package at the post office before it is delivered to your home.
1. packet intercept
One of the services that allows you to pick up a package early is packet interception.
This service allows you to instruct the office to hold the package at a particular facility.
then head over to that facility and pick it up.
This service is not available for final deliveries.
This means you must intercept the package before it reaches your local post office.
You’ll need to go to a sorting facility first.
If you’re lucky, you won’t live far from one.
Another restriction is the size of the packet.
package has to be on the smaller side to qualify.
finally, it has to be a national package.
You cannot use the service on packages or letters from international senders.
That said, packet interception is useful for telling the USPS to hold the packet at a certain facility for you.
You can then drive up to that center, show ID, and pick up your package.
This method can save you a day or two of waiting, as the package would still have to arrive at your local post office and then get on the truck when it’s time to deliver the packages.
Please note that this service comes with a small fee attached.
2. packet retention
Another useful service USPS offers that can allow you to pick it up before it’s delivered is package hold.
package retention is similar to packet interception, except that you can cause the installation to retain the package longer.
You can also have your local post office hold it for you.
A great way to use this service is to first find out which facilities are near you.
then you can hold the package at the facility closest to you.
once you can, you can drive up to the facility, show your ID, and then pick it up.
If you ask them to hold it at your local post office, you can show up early while they load the trucks and collect your package.
Like packet interception, this service has some restrictions.
It also comes with a fee.
That said, it is a useful service to pick up your package before sending it off for delivery.
3. arrive early
A final way to pick up your package at the USPS before it’s delivered carries some risk.
There is a possibility that you may not arrive in time to pick up the package before it is loaded onto the truck for delivery.
however, if you show up early at the post office, there’s a chance they’ll let you receive your package before it gets to the truck.
You will need an ID that matches the package to prove it belongs to you.
You will also have to arrive very early.
postal workers tend to start delivering mail as early as six in the morning.
they arrive at the office even earlier to load the trucks.
The post office itself is usually not open until eight in the morning.
However, if you delay, someone may ask if they can help you.
It also doesn’t hurt to know who your postman is.
if you can recognize them, then you could ask them for your package while they’re in the parking lot.
If they know you, they may be more willing to give it to you sooner.
While there is a risk of failure with this option, there is also no charge.
Why do packet interception and packet hold have fees?
if you choose to use package interception or retention service with usps, you may be wondering why you should pay a fee.
after all, you’re doing their job for them.
It’s because you’re making their job a little harder.
In most cases, letters and packages go through their sorting system and they simply sort them according to their destinations.
If a packet has a flag to intercept or hold, it takes more time and effort to track that packet and keep an eye on it.
They should make sure to store it and not put it on a truck until its final destination.
Because it costs them more time and energy, it makes them less efficient.
This means they can’t make as much money as they should.
For the post office, which is already struggling with funding, that’s not ideal.
One way to make sure they don’t go into the red just to help their customers, they charge a small fee for the service.
The rate varies depending on a few factors, but is usually cheap enough that most customers don’t think twice.
In exchange, they can easily pick up their package without waiting for the office to deliver it.
can you pick up a package from usps if they missed a delivery?
one situation you may find yourself in is that there is no delivery attempt from the post office.
In some cases, they will leave a receipt at your door informing you of the attempted delivery.
The receipt usually includes information about who the package is for and what time delivery was attempted.
sometimes it will also tell you the next step the post office will take.
In most cases, they will attempt another delivery the next business day.
This helps you make plans to make sure you are there or someone is there to accept the package on your behalf.
another thing you can do is have the post office hold it.
In fact, you may already see on the receipt that the post office asks you to pick up the package at the post office.
This happens sometimes if the office is extremely busy or if there was some kind of challenge that prevented them from making the delivery.
This indicates that they think the challenge will remain the next day, so they won’t be able to complete the delivery yet.
If you see that on your receipt, you’ll still have to go to the post office to pick up your package.
If you don’t see it, you can still call the post office and request a package intercept or hold the package.
with that in place, you can go to the office yourself and pick it up.
You will need to bring an ID that matches the package to pick it up.
That said, if you miss a delivery, you can still pick it up at the post office.
Where do you pick up the intercepted packets?
If you chose the packet intercept service, you may be wondering where to go to pick up the packet.
It all depends on where they were able to stop him.
some of the more common places include:
- local post office
- usps distribution center
- rerouted address
The best and easiest option is your local post office.
If you were able to schedule the interception at the right time, your package may be held at the nearest post office.
The service allows you to write the address where you want it to stay, but because the USPS moves quickly, they may not be able to get the notice in time.
That’s why you can’t always be 100% sure where the packet will end up.
if you’re lucky, your package will be held at your local post office.
the most challenging place to pick up your package is a usps distribution center.
This location is challenging because most of the distribution centers are not open to the public.
you can’t enter.
if your package ends up there, you’ll need to call the center directly.
then they can help you and redirect the package to a place where you can get it or ask someone to take it to you.
Distribution centers are essentially giant sorting and processing factories, so it’s unlikely someone would stop that process just to get their package out.
When writing your package’s intercept request, it’s a good idea to make sure it doesn’t get intercepted at a distribution center.
the ending place is an address where you can redirect the packet.
This could be a friend, family member, or even a company that stores packages and mail for customers.
you can go to that address and pick up the package that awaits you.
can the usps tell you the location of a package before intercepting it?
Before you send an intercept request to your packet, you may want to know its location.
For example, you may find that your package is ready for delivery and your mail should arrive in a few hours.
In this example, it would not make sense to make an intercept request.
However, if you discover that the package is headed from a distribution center to your local post office, then it may be the ideal time for an intercept.
To find out, you need to call the USPS.
Because the packages are tracked, they will be able to tell you the general location of the package.
for example, they will be able to tell if you left a distribution center and are on your way to them or if you were put on a truck today.
By finding out that information, you can determine whether or not you want to intercept the packet.
In most cases, the best time to intercept a package is a day or two before it is scheduled to be delivered.
The best time to call the post office to verify its location is probably the day before you want to make your intercept request.
calling the usps can help you find out where your package is and help you determine whether or not to intercept it.
will the usps deliver the package somewhere that is not on the label?
You may be wondering if you can change where the USPS delivers your package.
For example, if you know you’ll be at a different address when your package arrives, you may be wondering if it will be delivered there.
In most cases, the USPS will not deliver a package that is not near the address on the shipping label.
That’s because it would cost them time and money, something they can’t afford.
You can make an intercept request which includes sending it to a new address, but that will cost you a bit of money.
this is more acceptable as you are covering the cost it takes for the usps worker to get the package to the new address.
That said, there are two things the USPS can do in this case.
The first is that they can hold the package at the post office for you.
This allows you to drive to the office and pick up the package yourself.
This is a great option for someone who is concerned about leaving packages on their porch for an extended number of hours while they are away.
Another option is to have the USPS worker place the package somewhere other than your front door.
for example, you can ask to be placed in the garage or on the side of the house, or behind a bush.
they are willing to do this for you because the package is still going to the address on the label.
It’s only when you ask them to deliver it to an address for free that you’re going to run into trouble.
is it worth picking up your packages at the usps office?
Considering that you have to pay a fee to use packet interception and retention services, you might be wondering if it’s worth it.
Here are a few reasons why it’s worth picking up your packages at the USPS before they’re delivered.
1. fewer lost packets
One of the reasons it’s worth using packet interception and packet retention is that you get fewer lost packets that way.
if you’re someone who’s had their share of lost packets, then you’re probably tired of it.
using any of those services puts a flag on your package.
There are more eyes on him, which means he’s less likely to get lost.
2. fewer stolen packages
Another big reason why packet interception and retention services are worthwhile is that it reduces the chances of your packets being stolen.
If you live in an area where porch pirates love to roam, this added security can really help.
You’ll never have to worry about packages sitting on your doorstep unprotected.
both services allow you to pick up your package at the office or similar facility.
no one is going to steal it from you there.
3. faster packages
finally, you can get your packages faster.
sometimes it can take a while for the usps to send packages.
some offices may have a specific day that they dedicate to certain packages.
If you don’t want to wait that long, using those services allows you to pick up the package as soon as it arrives at the office.
you can take it home, open it and start using it right away.
conclusion
The post office makes it easy to pick up a package before the postman delivers it.
in particular, packet interception and packet retention services can accomplish this.
There are several benefits to using these services, although both cost a fee.