Who lost your package:  UPS      DHL       FedEx      USPS         Amazon

Few things are more frustrating than getting a notification that your package has been delivered—only to step outside and find nothing at your door. Do you have a lost package? Whether you’re expecting an important item from FedEx or UPS, a “delivered” status without an actual delivery can be confusing and stressful. But don’t panic—here’s a step-by-step guide to help you resolve the issue and hopefully recover your package.

Step 1: Double-check the Delivery Location

Start with the basics. Carriers may not always leave packages at your front door. Check:

• Side doors or porches
• Garage areas
• Behind planters or furniture
• With a neighbor or building manager (especially in apartment complexes)

Also, review the tracking details closely. Sometimes, the driver includes notes like “left at the side door” or “with reception.” This can point you in the right direction.

Step 2: Confirm the Shipping Address

If you ordered online, log in to your account and verify that the shipping address on your order is correct. A simple typo or outdated address could result in a package being delivered elsewhere.

Step 3: Ask Around

If you live in a multi-unit building or close-knit neighborhood, ask your neighbors or front desk staff if they may have accepted the package on your behalf. Sometimes, packages are mistakenly delivered to the wrong house on the same street.

Step 4: Wait a Little Longer

Believe it or not, a package may be marked as “delivered” prematurely. This is more common than you’d think, especially during peak delivery seasons. It might actually arrive later that day or even the next business day.

Give it about 24 hours from when it was marked delivered—unless the item is perishable or time-sensitive.

Step 5: Contact the Carrier

If 24 hours pass and there’s still no sign of the package, it’s time to contact the carrier directly:

For UPS:

• Call 1-800-PICK-UPS (1-800-742-5877).
• If you’re the shipper, you can also start a lost package claim on their website. You’ll need the sender to initiate the claim if you’re the recipient.

For FedEx:

• Call 1-800-GO-FEDEX (1-800-463-3339).
• Like UPS, FedEx typically requires the sender to file the claim, though recipients can report issues.

Be ready to provide tracking numbers, delivery details, and contact info. Both carriers will begin an investigation to determine what happened to your package.

Step 6: Contact the Sender or Retailer

If the carrier investigation doesn’t resolve the issue, contact the retailer or sender. Most companies have clear policies for lost or stolen packages and may issue a refund or send a replacement, especially if the item is insured or high-value.

Ensure you have your order number and any communication with the carrier when you reach out.

Step 7: Consider Filing a Police Report (If Necessary)

If you suspect the package was stolen—especially if you have security camera footage—it might be worth filing a police report. While this won’t always result in recovering the package, it could be helpful for insurance claims or repeat theft issues in your area. Most packages make it to their destinations intact and on time. But what do you do when a package is lost in transit? Your lost packages could sit “in transit” for over ten days or indicate a finalized delivery.

Nothing is worse than the carrier’s tracking saying that your package has been delivered and then discovering that your packages are not there! Every shipping carrier has different rules for filing claims on lost, stolen, or missing packages. If your package is missing, here are some suggestions about what you can do:

Amazon missing packages:

1. Call (888) 280-4331- speak with customer service for a tracking update
2. Ask neighbors if they received the package
3. Wait 36 hours after the expected delivery date and time to file a claim
4. Start a claim with Amazon here

DHL missing packages:

1. Call (800) 225-5345 – speak with customer service for a tracking update
2. Ask neighbors and look for a notice of attempted delivery
3. You have 30 days to file a claim
4. Start a claim with DHL here

FedEx missing packages:

1. Call (800) 463-3339 – speak with customer service for a tracking update
2. Ask neighbors
3. You have 60 days to file a claim
4. Start a claim with FedEx here

UPS lost packages:

1. Call (800) 742-5877 – speak with customer service for a tracking update
2. Ask neighbors if they received the package
3. Wait 24 hours after the expected delivery date and time to file a claim
4. Start a claim with UPS here

USPS lost packages:

1. Call 1 (800) 275-8777 or (800) 222-1811- ask customer service for a tracking update
2. Ask neighbors
3. Submit a search to Missing Mail search request
4. If mail was not recovered, you may able to file an insurance claim
5. Wait at least seven days after the expected delivery date  – Start the USPS claim here.

When the shipping carrier cannot locate the packages, you should file an insurance claim to cover the lost packages’ combined insured value and shipment cost. This requires the tracking number, proof of the value of the item, and proof of insurance.

Not getting the lost package help you need?

• Contact the carriers on Twitter.
  • Twitter is a public forum, and the carriers will respond to complaints and questions.
• Contact the carriers on Facebook Chat.
  • Many times, you will reach a different customer support department within Facebook.

The best part of buying stuff online is eliminating the hassle. Until you have lost packages. Hopefully, if you experience a lost package by UPS, USPS, FedEx, Amazon, or DHL, this information will help. Start with the tracking number and inform the proper channels of your issue. Good luck!