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USPS Refund Policy

Last verified: 2026-03-19

Official USPS PolicyVerified

www.usps.com/help/refunds.htm

Summary

USPS offers refunds within Generally 30 days from the mailing or label‑print date (e.g., Click‑N‑Ship labels must be requested within 30 days of the print date; Priority Mail Express refunds must be submitted within 2‑30 days of the mailing date). Some services allow up to 60 days for unused Click‑N‑Ship labels and up to 90 days for Priority Mail Express International. Processing time: Refunds posted to credit cards within 3‑5 business days for EDDM orders, up to two billing cycles for online postage refunds, and generally within 7 days for manually processed domestic service refunds. Refund methods include credit back to the original debit/credit card used for purchase and check mailed to the claimant’s address. The service or label must be unused and have no scan event in the USPS system (Click‑N‑Ship label policy).

Refund Window

Generally 30 days from the mailing or label‑print date (e.g., Click‑N‑Ship labels must be requested within 30 days of the print date; Priority Mail Express refunds must be submitted within 2‑30 days of the mailing date). Some services allow up to 60 days for unused Click‑N‑Ship labels and up to 90 days for Priority Mail Express International

Processing Time

Refunds posted to credit cards within 3‑5 business days for EDDM orders, up to two billing cycles for online postage refunds, and generally within 7 days for manually processed domestic service refunds

Refund Method

Credit back to the original debit/credit card used for purchase (default for most online refunds)

Video Guides

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How to Get a Refund — Step by Step

  1. 1Create a free USPS.com account or sign in to your existing account (required for online refunds)
  2. 2Locate the receipt, order confirmation, and tracking number for the shipment or label you wish to refund (required documentation)
  3. 3Navigate to the Refunds section (or click the “Refund” button in Order History for EDDM/Every Door Direct Mail) and select the appropriate service to start the request
  4. 4Complete the online form with required details (order/label number, reason, supporting documents) and submit the request
  5. 5If the refund is for an older Click‑N‑Ship label (30‑60 days old), email Click‑N‑Ship Help Desk with required info (PFS‑Local@usps.gov)
  6. 6For in‑person requests (e.g., EDDM at a Post Office), fill out Part I of Form 3533 and submit it with the original label copy

When You Can Get a Refund

  • The service or label must be unused and have no scan event in the USPS system (Click‑N‑Ship label policy)
  • The request must be made within the applicable time window (30 days for most services; 60 days for older Click‑N‑Ship labels; 90 days for PMEI)
  • The claimant must provide required information such as order number, tracking number, and reason for the refund (Click‑N‑Ship and general refund guidelines)
  • Refunds are not available for delayed shipments unless the service includes a money‑back guarantee (e.g., Priority Mail Express)
  • For prepaid containers, a positive pre‑paid container count must be maintained; otherwise service may be suspended

All Refund Methods

  • Credit back to the original debit/credit card used for purchase (default for most online refunds)
  • Check mailed to the claimant’s address (used for many service‑level refunds and claims)
  • Account credit for agency or corporate accounts (e.g., Express Mail corporate accounts)

Partial Refunds

  • Partial refunds may be issued when only part of the postage or extra‑service fee is eligible; the decision will be communicated via email
  • If a refund is partially paid or denied, the claimant may file an appeal within 30 days of the decision

Dispute Process

  • File an appeal online or by mail within 30 days of receiving a partial or denied refund decision (first appeal)
  • If the first appeal is denied, a second appeal can be submitted within another 30 days (final appeal)
  • Appeals must reference the original claim number and may include additional documentation to support the request

Additional Notes

  • Refunds for unused Priority Mail Express labels are not permitted after the label has been used; using a refunded label is considered fraud and can result in package confiscation
  • International refunds have a longer inquiry window (up to 90 days for Priority Mail Express International) and must be initiated by calling the Customer Care Center
  • Postage for prepaid packaging (e.g., Priority Mail Forever Flat Rate Packaging) is non‑refundable, though exchanges are allowed

What Redditors Are Saying

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16
r/eBaySellerAdvice·1y ago

USPS couldn't deliver item because buyer did not include unit number in eBay. Item got lost in the system coming back to me. Buyer filed a charge back dispute. I filed a claim with USPS. Buyer lost dispute. I received a check from USPS. How do I get this money back to the buyer?

It's been more than 90 days since purchase. eBay system has just now closed the dispute in my favor. I received my money back from USPS in the middle of the dispute, but the eBay system said I had to wait until their process completed. I was not able to change anything or issue a refund to the buyer

19 comments
3
r/eBaySellerAdvice·7d ago

Buyer wants refund, USPS still has package somewhere, its been 42 days.

Buyer bought $30 bathing suit for vacay. I did USPS porch pickup and it was scanned then and never again. Buyer is now home after long vacay and says they want their money back, and opened a dispute. How should I proceed? TIA

6 comments
12
r/Aliexpress·3y ago

Seller wants to not give refund, saying to file a complaint to USPS for mixing up the package.

I bought a drone off of Aliexpress and it arrived after 11 days, I opened the package and it looks like it got mixed up with someone's pool cleaning filter order! The seller proposed to give a refund of $0.00 and to just file a complaint to USPS. What do I do? I want my money back, and don't want to

21 comments