Whether you’re going on vacation or just won’t be at home for several days, it’s always a good idea to set up a mail hold with USPS before heading off. Thanks to this service, you won’t have to worry about your mailbox overflowing or about porch pirates swiping your packages.
It’s an excellent service, but you probably have a lot of questions. So, if you want to learn more about what a hold mail “end date” means and more, then check out everything I found out!
Hold Mail End Date Meaning USPS
A mail hold end date is the date the letter carrier will resume delivering a customer’s mail following a mail hold request. Mail hold requests can be made online, in a post office, or by phone one day before the requested mail hold. Also, mail holds can last between three and 30 days.
If you still have questions about USPS mail holds, like what happens when a mail hold ends, then keep reading!
What Does It Mean To Hold Mail With USPS?
USPS Hold Mail service allows your local post office to stop mail delivery if you’re away from home or just need to suspend home delivery for a short period.
That said, having mail held is a great option if you’re worried about letters piling up in your mailbox or won’t be home to accept a package because of a vacation.
However, each address can only have one active mail hold at a time and covers all mail sent to an address, regardless of who the letter is addressed to.
Additionally, a mail hold is not required if you use a PO box, as mail will be allowed to accumulate for 30 days.
Furthermore, USPS will deliver all of your held mail upon your return, and regular mail delivery will resume the following day.
How Long Does USPS Hold Mail?
Mail holds can last anywhere from three days to 30 days, depending on the customer’s request.
With that, customers requiring a longer hold should sign up for Premium Forwarding Services (PFS) on the USPS website or at their local post office.
In addition to longer mail holds, PFS allows you to have your mail forwarded to you at another address.
What Does the End Date Mean On a USPS Mail Hold?
When you set up a mail hold, whether online, by phone at 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777), or in person at your local post office, you’ll be asked to fill in the mail hold start and end dates.
That said, the start date refers to the first day you’ll be away from home, and the end date is when you’ll start receiving mail again.
What Happens When a USPS Mail Hold Ends?
You have three options for getting your held mail when your USPS mail hold ends.
First, your letter carrier can deliver your mail on the end date you specify, which is the most convenient option.
However, it’s important to note that only mail that will fit in your mailbox will be delivered if you’re not home.
If your held mail exceeds the mailbox size, then your letter carrier will leave a PS Form 3849 – We ReDeliver for You!
Then, USPS brings the overflow mail to your local Post Office location, and you’ll need to pick it up in person. However, make sure to bring your ID and the form you received.
In addition to that, another option is to pick up your accumulated mail in person at the post office.
If you select this option, you’ll need to present identification. Afterward, regular mail delivery will resume the day after you pick up your mail.
Lastly, your final option is to have someone else pick up your mail for you. However, this person needs to bring written authorization from you to pick up your mail, as well as their identification.
Also, note there’s a ten-day period during which you can pick up mail at the end of a USPS Hold Mail request.
Then, if you don’t pick up your mail by this deadline, it will be returned to the sender.
Can USPS Hold Your Mail Without Notifying You?
If you didn’t submit a mail hold request but are not receiving your mail, there’s likely an easy explanation.
For example, postal workers use their best judgment when delivering mail and can choose to withhold delivery for several reasons. That said, some of the most common reasons include:
- Access to the mailbox is blocked (whether by snow, vehicles, or something else)
- A loose dog on the premises
- Hazardous conditions or natural disasters
- A full mailbox
Therefore, contact USPS if you haven’t received any mail within the last two days or have not been receiving mail regularly (i.e., on a specific day of the week) for two or more weeks.
Will USPS Deliver Packages If Mail Is On Hold?
A USPS mail hold stops the delivery of all types of mail, including letters and packages. Therefore, USPS will not deliver any packages sent through USPS if you’ve set up a mail hold.
On the other hand, if another carrier, such as UPS or FedEx, delivers a package, there’s a chance it could be delivered while you’re away.
So, it’s best to check with your specific carrier to find out if it offers mail-holding services.
To know more, you can also see our posts on USPS dead mail, whether USPS first-class has tracking, and if USPS charges by weight or size.
