The quick answer
The United States Postal Service (USPS) will generally notify the intended recipient if a package is seized by law enforcement or customs officials. However, there are some exceptions where USPS may not provide notification. The sender may also be notified in certain situations.
When will USPS notify you if a package is seized?
Here are the main scenarios when USPS will notify the recipient that a package has been seized:
- If the package is seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) during international shipping, USPS will send a seizure notice to the addressee indicating the item has been detained.
- If the package is seized by law enforcement in the U.S. due to suspicion of contraband, USPS will send a notice that the item is being held by the inspecting agency. This may be DEA, FBI, local police, etc.
- If USPS independently identifies a shipped prohibited item, they will return the package to sender marked “Rejected” and indicating the unlawful content.
So in summary, if USPS hands over or intercepts a package containing illegal or prohibited contents, they will notify the recipient that shipment has been seized or rejected.
When might USPS not notify you of a seized package?
There are some scenarios where USPS may not inform the recipient that a package was confiscated:
- If law enforcement requests USPS not to inform the recipient for investigative purposes.
- If CBP seizes an international item for trademark infringement or counterfeit products.
- If the item is considered hazardous, perishable, or unsafe to return to sender after seizure.
- If the package appears abandoned or the recipient cannot be verified.
In these cases, USPS may secretly cooperate with the seizing agency without alerting the recipient. Or they may simply be unable to notify the intended recipient.
Will USPS notify the sender if an item is seized?
Generally, USPS will return a seized package to the sender if it does not contain anything illegal or dangerous. The package will be marked with the reason it could not be delivered.
USPS will also notify the sender in these situations:
- If the item is missing a declaration form or contains incomplete information.
- If prohibited contents are identified during USPS security screening.
- If the recipient refused delivery of the package.
However, as mentioned above, USPS will not inform the sender if cooperating secretly with law enforcement or if the contents are hazardous. They also won’t return to sender if the package appears abandoned.
How will you be notified if your package is seized?
If you are the intended recipient of a seized package, USPS will notify you in one of these ways:
- A seizure notice will be sent to your mailing address informing you the package is being held.
- A notice will be left at your physical address stating your item has been detained.
- You may receive an email or phone call from USPS regarding the situation.
- Your package will be returned to you marked “Rejected” or “Seized.”
The notice should indicate which government agency is holding your property and provide instructions on next steps. This may include filing a petition for release or requesting more information.
If USPS independently intercepts your package, they will return it marked with the reason and may include details on contesting the decision.
What reasons could lead USPS to seize a package?
USPS is required to cooperate with law enforcement agencies to prevent prohibited and illegal items from being delivered. Here are some common reasons USPS or other agencies may seize a package:
- Containing contraband such as illicit drugs, firearms, counterfeit currency, etc.
- Goods imported in violation of customs rules like undeclared cash, agricultural products, or counterfeit goods.
- Hazardous, flammable, or toxic materials that are unmailable.
- Unsafe packaging that could injure USPS workers.
- Unlawful lottery tickets and gambling materials.
- Violating U.S. export controls such as munitions trafficking regulations.
- Inappropriate use of service like sending adult content non-privately.
Inspectors have the right to seize any packages they deem illegal, dangerous, or otherwise unmailable. Trying to ship prohibited items can potentially lead to criminal charges.
Can you contest the seizure of a package by USPS?
If USPS seizes your package independently, you may file an appeal to contest their decision in these steps:
- Submit a petition within 30 days of the package seizure date.
- Explain in detail why USPS incorrectly seized your property.
- Provide evidence supporting your claim such as receipts, documentation, etc.
- Include copies of the seizure notice you received from USPS.
- Send your petition to the USPS Consumer Advocate office.
If another government agency like CBP or the DEA seized your package, you will need to go through their appeals process separately.
Filing an appeal does not guarantee the return of your property but allows you to dispute the basis for seizure. You may need to provide proof of legality or ownership. Consult an attorney if the process seems unclear.
Avoiding seizure of future packages
To help prevent your packages from being confiscated in the future:
- Fully comply with customs declaration requirements on international shipments.
- Do not attempt to ship any contraband or prohibited materials.
- Properly label and securely pack any hazardous contents.
- Review U.S. import laws and postal restrictions before mailing items.
- Purchase insurance in case the package is damaged or lost.
Being aware of USPS standards for acceptable packages can help avoid seizure and ensure successful delivery to recipients.
Conclusion
In most situations, USPS will notify the intended recipient if a package under their shipping control is seized by inspectors or law enforcement. They will send a written seizure notice indicating why the item is undeliverable. However, USPS may withhold notification at the request of investigating agencies or if hazardous contents are identified.
While the sender will also be informed in some cases, law enforcement issues can preclude alerting the original shipper. Recipients can contest USPS seizures through a petition process, but will need to work with the agency in question for packages held by other authorities. Being mindful of mailing restrictions and declarations can help avoid difficulties in the first place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can USPS open packages and inspect contents?
Yes, USPS mail inspectors have the legal authority to open and inspect parcels sent through their service without a warrant. All packages are subject to review to enforce postal regulations and federal laws regarding illegal materials.
What happens if USPS destroys my package?
If a package contains something extremely hazardous or perishable, USPS may dispose of or destroy it rather than holding it after seizure. In these cases, the recipient likely will not have the items returned and may not receive compensation.
Can USPS seize packages for copyright violations?
No, only law enforcement can seize packages suspected of copyright violations, not USPS itself. However, USPS will cooperate with agencies investigating intellectual property crimes and may notify recipients of seizures.
Are there penalties for sending illegal items through USPS?
Yes, sending contraband, hazardous, or prohibited materials through the mail can potentially lead to federal criminal charges with penalties depending on the specific items mailed illegally.
Can law enforcement seize a package without informing USPS?
Yes, agencies like the DEA or FBI may intercept and seize packages from the mail stream without knowledge or consent of USPS under controlled delivery operations. USPS will not notify recipients in these covert cases.
| Reason for USPS Package Seizure | Agency Responsible |
|---|---|
| Illegal contraband | Law enforcement (DEA, FBI, local police, etc.) |
| Customs violations | U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) |
| Dangerous or hazardous contents | USPS mail inspectors |
| Mailing restrictions violations | USPS |
| Counterfeit goods | CBP |
What should I do if a USPS package of mine is seized?
If you receive a seizure notice from USPS, read it carefully and follow all instructions provided. Make note of which agency is holding your property. You may need to file a petition with USPS or a claim with the agency to contest it. Hiring a lawyer can help navigate the appeals process.
How long can USPS hold a seized package?
There is no set time limit for USPS or other agencies to hold a seized package. It will be retained as evidence until no longer needed for investigation. Recipients must petition for its return when ready but should expect delays of weeks or longer. Valuable property may be forfeited permanently.
Can I sue USPS if they damage my package?
You generally cannot sue USPS over damaged packages, but you can file an administrative claim for compensation. To recover damages, you will need to show USPS was negligent and provide evidence of the value lost. There are also limits on maximum liability.
In summary:
- USPS will notify recipients if their own inspectors seize a package but may not in law enforcement cases.
- Senders will be informed of issues preventing delivery but not always seizures.
- Notifications come via mail, email, phone calls, and markings on returned packages.
- Recipients can appeal USPS seizures but must work with agencies for law enforcement seizures.
- Avoiding contraband, customs issues, and mailing hazards can reduce likelihood of seizure.
Being aware of the process and cooperating appropriately if notified of a seizure can help resolve issues as smoothly as possible.