How to Retrieve a USPS Package Marked for Return Due to MLNA

If a UPS or USPS package has been marked for return to the sender due to MLNA (Missed Last Notice Attempt), there are specific measures you can take to retrieve or pick it up. This guide will walk you through the process, including what to expect and how to contact the appropriate personnel.

Understanding MLNA and Postage Due

MLNA typically occurs when the delivery attempt is unsuccessful due to either an incorrect address or the recipient being unavailable. USPS will attempt to deliver the package up to three times, and if successful, the package will be delivered. If unsuccessful, the package will be marked for return to the sender due to MLNA.

If the recipient has not picked up the package within 10-15 business days, USPS will return it to the sender. This is a common practice, especially if the package is sent to a business or a residential address with no one available to receive it.

Options for Retrieving Your Package

Thankfully, there are methods to intercept and retrieve your package. USPS provides a service known as "Package Intercept," which allows you to attempt to stop the delivery before it gets to the sender. To do this:

Visit the USPS Package Intercept page for more information. Contact USPS and request the package to be intercepted before it is returned to the sender. However, they cannot guarantee success as it depends on the current location of the package in the delivery pipeline.

If the package is still at the delivery station, you can go in person to find out the reason for its return. It could be something as simple as postage due or the recipient's unavailability. If you manage to retrieve the package, you can then take it to the post office for delivery yourself.

Contacting the Sender

If the package has been returned to the sender, your best course of action is to contact the sender and request that the package be resent or addressed to an alternative delivery location. Make sure to clarify the reason for the return and understand the sender's process for redelivering the package.

If you regularly work with the sender and have a good relationship, they may be more likely to cooperate. If it's a one-time issue, they might also agree to resend the package at their expense.

Handling MLNA in a Small Community

Living in a small town without home delivery can make it harder to receive packages. If a company doesn't use your physical address or PO box, your package will be sent back to the sender. To prevent this, you need to quickly contact the post office with your ID and arrange for a pick-up or delivery.

For example, if you live in a small town and a company sends a package to your PO box, you need to make sure you visit the post office with your ID the same afternoon the package was delivered.

It's also wise to set up a community pickup box or find a neighbor to watch out for your packages. This can be especially helpful in small communities where you can build strong relationships with the local post office staff.

Use Legal Identification for Authentication

When picking up a package that has been returned to the sender, the delivery PO may require your legal identification like a driver's license. Additionally, if you have moved, you will need to provide a mail forwarding order to prove your new address. This measure is to prevent fraud and ensure that only the rightful recipient can receive their packages.

If you receive a package at the post office and decide to pick it up later, you will also need to present this legal identification. The package will otherwise be returned to the sender if not collected by the end of the day.

Summary

USPS and other delivery services provide methods to retrieve packages that have been marked for return to the sender. You can use USPS Package Intercept to attempt to stop the delivery before it is returned. If the package is still at the delivery station, you can go in person to retrieve it. You can also contact the sender to request a resend or alternative delivery location.

Living in a small community can make package retrieval easier, but it's important to have good relationships with the local post office staff and to have a community pickup box or a neighbor to watch out for your packages.