Postal Service extends hold period on mail

The U.S. Postal Service is extending the holding period for mail from 10 to 30 days for those impacted by COVID-19.

Mail that must be returned to the delivery office due to a full box or the business not being open to receive delivery will now be held for 30 days before being returned to the sender. “These instructions shall remain in place until further notice,” a press release stated on March 28.

Postal Service managers may contact business owners to discuss alternative options.

Once the business reopens, delivery should immediately resume unless other arrangements have been made. If the business fails to make alternative delivery arrangements or does not submit a request to hold or forward its mail after 30 days, the process of returning mail to the sender will resume.

If businesses make contact after the 30-day hold period and Moved, Left No Address (MLNA) orders have been processed, the USPS will extend assistance as necessary to cancel and immediately resume delivery.

Questions and concerns should be emailed to industryfeedback@usps.gov with COVID-19 in the subject line.