USPS tracking status

USPS “Notice left”: what it means

The short answer

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The carrier tried to deliver but left a notice instead, because a signature was needed or there was no safe place or room for the package. USPS will not try again on its own: schedule a redelivery or pick it up.

When to act: If the redelivery you booked does not come, or you were home and nobody came to the door, file a complaint and we send it to USPS.

Also shown as: “Notice Left (No Authorized Recipient Available)” · “Notice Left (No Secure Location Available)” · “Notice Left (Receptacle Full/Item Oversized)” · “Available for Redelivery or Pickup” · “Reminder to Schedule Redelivery of your item”

What to do now

Schedule a redelivery online with the tracking number or the barcode on the notice; requests made by 2 am Central Time, Monday to Saturday, can be redelivered the same day. You can book one redelivery per package, so pick a day someone will be home.
Or collect it at the post office on the notice from the next business day; bring the notice and a valid photo ID.
If someone else will collect it, sign the notice and write their name on it; they need their own photo ID (not possible for Registered Mail or Restricted Delivery).
If it needs a signature, be home on the redelivery day; signing the notice and leaving it out does not work for packages that need a signature.
If you were home and nobody came to the door, take a screenshot of the Notice Left scan with its time and save any doorbell camera footage for your complaint.
Still not sorted? File your complaint here. We write it with you and send it to USPS, so you do not have to chase it yourself.

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Missed delivery or a card left with another courier

What does “Notice left” mean?

A Notice Left scan means the carrier left a We ReDeliver for You notice (PS Form 3849) and took the package back to the post office. The reason is in brackets: No Authorized Recipient Available means it needed a signature and nobody could sign; No Secure Location Available means there was nowhere safe to leave it; Receptacle Full/Item Oversized means it did not fit.

The package can be collected from the next business day. USPS leaves a second and final notice about 5 days after the first (3 days for Priority Mail Express) and returns most tracked packages to the sender 15 calendar days after the first attempt, or 5 days for Priority Mail Express. Reminder to Schedule Redelivery is the electronic second notice: it gives the date the package goes back.

Why does USPS show it?

The package needs a signature, for example Signature Confirmation, Certified Mail or insurance over $500
Nobody was home to sign or accept it
There was no safe place to leave it out of sight or weather
The mailbox or parcel locker was full, or the package was too big
Postage due or a fee had to be collected

How long does it last?

The package waits at the post office named on the notice from the next business day. It stays there until you schedule a redelivery or collect it, up to the return date: 15 days for most tracked packages, 5 days for Priority Mail Express. After that it goes back to the sender.

Other USPS statuses

Label created, USPS awaiting itemKeep an eye on it
Moving through networkNormal
Tracking not updatingKeep an eye on it
In transit, arriving lateKeep an eye on it
Alert: delivery exceptionKeep an eye on it
Origin Post is Preparing ShipmentKeep an eye on it
Arrived at Post OfficeNormal
Out for DeliveryNormal
Awaiting delivery scanKeep an eye on it
No access to delivery locationKeep an eye on it
Held at post officeTake action
Insufficient addressTake action
ForwardedKeep an eye on it
Delivered, but not receivedTake action

All USPS statuses →

Who is responsible for a late or missing package from USPS?

Bought it online from a business? Then the seller is usually responsible until the package is delivered. The seller chose USPS, bought the label and holds the mailing record that USPS needs for a lost package, so a late, lost or damaged order is in most cases the seller's to put right with a replacement or a refund.

Sent it yourself? Then your contract is with USPS, under the mailing rules in its Domestic Mail Manual. Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express and USPS Ground Advantage include insurance of up to $100 for merchandise on most shipments; without insurance USPS pays nothing for loss or damage. Insurance does not cover delay, or a package lost or taken after delivery.

Questions about “Notice left”

Will USPS try to deliver again after Notice Left?

No. USPS says there is no automatic second attempt after a notice is left. You need to schedule a redelivery or collect the package.

How long will the post office hold my package?

For most tracked packages, 15 calendar days after the first attempt; for Priority Mail Express, 5 days. USPS leaves a second and final notice about 5 days after the first (3 days for Priority Mail Express), and the package goes back to the sender at the end of the hold period.

USPS says notice left but there is no note. What now?

You do not need the paper notice. Schedule a redelivery with your tracking number, or collect the package at the post office with your tracking number and a valid photo ID.

Does USPS charge for redelivery?

No. USPS says it does not charge a fee for redelivery, so a text asking you to pay for one is a scam.

Based on

USPS FAQ: Where is my package? Tracking Status Help
USPS PostalPro: Domestic Tracking Scan Events (event codes and tracking texts)
USPS FAQ: Redelivery, The Basics
USPS FAQ: What are the Second and Final Notice and Return Dates for Redelivery?
USPS FAQ: Scams and Scheme Alerts
USPS Domestic Mail Manual 609: Filing Indemnity Claims for Loss or Damage
USPS FAQ: Domestic Claims, The Basics