International Inquiries and Claims  
Filing inquiries and claims.

 
How to initiate an inquiry
To report the loss, damage, or missing contents of an article sent to a foreign country, call our International Inquiry Center at 800-222-1811. You’ll need to provide relevant information, including but not limited to the item number appearing on the barcode; names, addresses, and telephone numbers of the mailer and addressee; and the date of mailing. The International Inquiry Center will correspond with the post in the foreign country. If we determine that a claim for the item should be initiated, we’ll provide you with a claim packet, which includes instructions on how to complete and submit the claim.
Before initiating an inquiry on an item mailed to a foreign country, allow sufficient time for delivery of the mailpiece in that country. Take a look at the information in the table below before initiating inquiries:

  FAQs
Get answers to your International Claims questions.
Go to International Claims FAQs


 
International Time Limits for Inquiries
Product/Extra Service Who When to file (from mailing date)
No sooner than     No later than
Global Express Guaranteed® U.S. Sender Only 3 days1 30 days
Express Mail International U.S. Sender Only 3 days2 90 days
Express Mail International®
with Guarantee		 U.S. Sender Only 3 days1 30 days3
Priority Mail International®4 Sender or Addressee 7 days 6 months
Registered Mail Service Sender or Addressee 7 days 6 months
1. No sooner than 3 days or the guaranteed delivery date.
2. No sooner than 3 days or the estimated delivery day.
3. 30 days to submit an inquiry for delayed delivery; 90 days to submit an inquiry for the loss, damage, or missing contents of an item.
4. The Postal Service accepts inquiries for Priority Mail International flat-rate envelopes and small flat-rate boxes only if the sender had purchased registered service.

 
How to file a claim
You can file a claim after you have initiated an inquiry and have received a claim packet from the International Inquiry Center. The claims packet will include instructions that you must complete. Claims must be accompanied by the following documentation:

Evidence of Insurance
Indemnity claims for Registered Mail™, insured, and Express Mail International:

The original mailing receipt issued at the time of mailing must be submitted (reproduced copies are not acceptable).

Note: For Express Mail International items, also submit PS Form 2861, which you will receive from the EMS Inquiry Center.

Evidence of Ordinary Priority Mail International Parcel Indemnity

The original mailing receipt issued at the time of mailing must be submitted (reproduced copies are not acceptable).

Evidence of Value
The customer must submit acceptable evidence to establish the cost or value of the article at the time it was mailed. Examples of acceptable evidence of value:

Sales receipt, invoice or bill of sale, or statement of value from a reputable dealer.
Items valued up to $100 - the customer can submit a statement that includes the date and place of purchase, the amount paid, and whether the item was new or used (only if a sales receipt or invoice is not available). If the article mailed is a hobby, craft, or similiar handmade item, the statement must include the cost of the materials used.
A picture from a catalog showing the value of a similar article (only if a sales receipt, invoice, or statment of value from a dealer is not available). The date and place of purchase must also be included.
Paid repair bills (not to exceed the original purchase price). For partial damage, estimates of repair costs or appraisals - not to exceed the original purchase price - from a reputable dealer are acceptable.
Receipt or invoice costs incurred for the replacement of nonnegotiable documents.
A copy of a canceled check, money order receipt, credit card statement, or other documentation indicating the amount paid. For Internet purchases, a copy of the front and back of the canceled check, money order, or a copy of the credit card billing statement is required.
For Internet transactions conducted through a Web-based payment network that offers payment services through a stored value account, provide a computer printout of the online transaction identifying the purchaser and seller, price paid, date of transaction, description of item purchased, and assurance that the transaction status is completed.

Where to File:

Mail claim form with appropriate attachments to:

International Claims
St. Louis Accounting Service Center
PO BOX 80146
St Louis, MO 63180-0146

Go to the online International Mail Manual for additional information about filing international claims.

Item Received from a Foreign Country
If you receive an article that was sent from a foreign country that is in damaged condition or has some or all of its contents missing, take it to any Post Office™ immediately for inspection. You must present the article, mailing container, wrapping, packaging, and any other contents received. The Post Office will verify damage and have you complete PS Form 1000, Domestic or International Claim.