Missed delivery: what to do, redelivery and ID to collect

What to do if you missed your delivery

1. 1Read the noticeWhere the parcel is, the number to quote, from when you can collect and the last day.
2. 2Check the trackingOn the carrier's own site or app: the place and time can change after the card.
3. 3Rebook or redirectA new day, a neighbour or a pickup point, on the carrier's site, app or the card's QR code.
4. 4Collect with IDBring the notice and ID, usually with a photo, no earlier than the time printed on it.

Each carrier's notice, and what it does next:

What does "Notice left" mean?

The driver tried, nobody took the parcel, and a notice was left: USPS's PS Form 3849 or Canada Post's Delivery Notice Card. Keep it; you rebook or collect with it. Other carriers' wordings for a missed attempt are in tracking statuses explained.

The number on a UPS Delivery Notice, a FedEx door tag or an Evri card isn't your tracking number, but either works in that carrier's tracker.

Parcels end up at the counter when they need a signature, have something to pay or have no safe place to go. DPD UK, for one, only leaves a parcel with a neighbour or in a safe place if the sender didn't ask for a signature. A grey Royal Mail "Fee to pay" card means a charge comes first; see customs if it's an import charge.

How do I get a parcel redelivered?

On the carrier's own site or app, or with the QR code on the card. Most redeliveries are free, USPS's included.

• USPS: scan the QR code, use USPS Redelivery online, or call 1-800-ASK-USPS. Ask by 2 a.m. CST, Monday to Saturday, for redelivery that day. You get one request, to the original address only.
• UPS: sign the delivery notice and put it back where it was left, so the parcel is left next time, unless an adult (21+) signature is required.
• FedEx: redirect it in FedEx Delivery Manager to a FedEx location or a retail partner such as Walgreens.
• Royal Mail: free redelivery online or in the app, to your home, another address in the same postcode district, a Post Office, a Royal Mail Shop or a Parcel Locker. It needs 48 working hours' notice.
• Evri: after a missed attempt, divert it in the app or online to a ParcelShop, locker, neighbour or safe place.
• DPD UK: the driver can't come back the same day. Change the date, or choose a safe place, a neighbour or a Pickup shop.
• An Post: book online, to the same or another address. It can take up to 5 working days.
• Canada Post: after Delivery Attempt Made, it normally tries again the next business day.
• Australia Post: no redelivery. Collect it, send someone, or pay $7.20 to move it to another Post Office.

Want it sent somewhere else next time? See changing a delivery address or day.

Can I collect a missed parcel the same day?

Usually not: the parcel reaches the counter after the driver's round.

• USPS: "on or after the date and time" written on the 3849, at the Post Office printed on it.
• Royal Mail: not after the first attempt. After the second card, from the following working day, at the delivery office on the card, which "may not be your nearest Royal Mail site".
• DPD UK: Pickup shop parcels are ready the next day.
• FedEx: a FedEx location may have it "as early as the same day".
• Canada Post: after Delivery Attempt Made, it "can't be collected from a postal outlet yet".

Check the tracking before going.

What ID do I need to collect a parcel?

The notice, and ID in the name on the parcel, usually with a photo:

Lost the Royal Mail card? You can still book a redelivery, but not collect.

Can someone else collect my parcel?

Yes, for most parcels, with your written consent and their own ID.

• USPS: sign the back of the 3849, or write a note naming them. For someone who collects regularly, there's PS Form 3801.
• Royal Mail: the card and ID in your name; or the card, their own photo ID and proof they live at the address.
• An Post: the notice signed by you, plus their ID.
• Canada Post: sign the card and print their name on it; they bring their government-issued photo ID.
• Australia Post: in the app, "let someone collect this parcel" makes an authorisation image to share; the paper form or the card's authorisation section also works.

Not for Royal Mail ID Verification items or Australia Post parcels the sender wants you to collect in person. USPS won't take a note on the 3849 for Registered Mail or Restricted Delivery.

Missed delivery but you were home

DPD UK admits that "sometimes you'll still miss each other". Australia Post cites an unsecured dog, a locked gate or an apartment block where the driver can only reach the ground floor, and its app shows the driver's photo of the attempt.

Note the time, keep any doorbell camera clip, compare with the tracking and report it to the carrier (Australia Post has a delivery issue form).

Tracking says attempted but there's no card? Royal Mail says the parcel may carry another address, so ask the sender. An Post tries again in the next delivery slot, usually the next day.

If tracking says delivered and there's nothing, see delivered but not received.

How long do I have to collect a missed parcel?

Usually one to three weeks at a post office, 2 to 5 days in a locker. Your notice gives the last day:

• USPS: usually 15 days; Priority Mail Express 5.
• Royal Mail: 18 days, 21 with a customs charge.
• An Post: 5 working days, 16 for items from abroad.
• Canada Post: 15 calendar days.
• Australia Post: 10 business days at a Post Office, 2 in a Parcel Locker.

Then it goes back to the sender. Parcel not collected covers extensions and refunds.

A missed delivery text asking for a fee

More in parcel scam texts. To hear about real missed attempts, Peek can notify you of important steps, missed attempts included; rebooking stays with the carrier.

How do I complain about a missed delivery?

Complain to the carrier first and keep its reference. For an online order, tell the shop too: in the UK, Ofcom says the retailer is responsible for delivery. Then: