What Does Available For Pickup Mean Usps? + Other Faqs

USPS tracking features are one of our most useful and convenient shipping options. They also come with various notifications to assist you in understanding where your package is.

What does “available for pick up” mean and how can you resolve it? Let me tell you what I learned!

What is the USPS’s definition of “available for pickup”?

USPS’s “available to pickup” notification indicates that the package has been delivered by USPS to your nearest post office. The post office won’t deliver it directly to your home, so you will need to go to their office to collect it. This happens when a delivery attempt has failed, when a package is very valuable, or when a courier forgets to grab the package.

If you want to save yourself time and effort when dealing with a package that’s available for pickup, be sure to keep reading to learn more!

How much time do you have to take my package home?

The best thing about having your package moved and made available for pick-up is the freedom to choose when and where you wish to take it.

It’s important to know, however that you package won’t be held by the post office forever.

A typical rule of thumb is that the postoffice will store packages until they are ready to be picked up. After this time, it returns them to the sender.

Why does my USPS Tracking tool say available for pickup?

Three main reasons packages are available to be picked up instead of being delivered to you are listed below, from the most common to least.

It is most likely that the package was not delivered successfully.

When a courier attempts to deliver a package that needs a signature, and the recipient isn’t present or home at the time of delivery, the courier will not be allowed to leave it on the doorstep. They must return the package to the postal office.

Sometimes there will be multiple delivery attempts made before your package becomes available for pickup, but if it’s during Christmas or another busy season, the post office will move packages to pick much more quickly.

The second reason a package may be listed as being available for pickup is because whatever your package is, it’s too valuable to be left on the doorstep.

Sometimes merchants select this option when shipping a package that contains precious metals or stones, or when they have a money-back guarantee if you don’t receive your item.

This option is available at shipping and asks that you hold the item until it arrives for pick-up.

The third, and the least common (but still possible) reason that your package has been listed as available for pickup is human error.

The USPS receives hundreds of millions of letters per day and there is plenty of space for some mail to be forgotten.

To avoid bogging down the courier, or delaying delivery of your package further, it is possible for the postal office to list your package as available for pickup.

This happens especially during Christmas rush season, which has many packages that need to be delivered. Pushing them off to the next day could cause severe damage to the productivity and efficiency of couriers.

You can pick your package up no matter what reason. This gives you control over when the package arrives and keeps it safe.

What is the best way to pick up a package from USPS?

Once you have received your package, it is now time to find out how you are going to get it.

Most importantly, the process of picking up your order is very simple.

Make sure you have your tracking number and proof of identification in case they need to check your identity.

Next, go to your nearest post office. Talk with the clerk behind it and tell them you have a package that can be picked up.

To verify your identity, they will likely request your name and identification before they can send you the package. However, additional information such as the tracking number may be requested.

To know more about USPS delivery services, you can also read our posts on whether or not you can pick up a package from USPS, if USPS delivers at night, and if USPS charges by weight or size.

Conclusion

USPS has not yet made the packages available for pick-up. This means the USPS will not deliver the package to you and instead, it will be left at your home.

These are usually due to unsuccessful delivery attempts, too precious packages being left at doorsteps, or the courier forgetting your parcel.

You will receive notification from the postal service. The post office won’t keep your package indefinitely. They typically return it within 15 days.

For security reasons, make sure you have your tracking number and ID handy when picking up your parcel from the post office.

.What Does Available For Pickup Mean Usps? + Other Faqs