Waiting while your package sits “one town over” is… infuriating. The good news: in many cases, you can get it sooner if you use the right USPS options and act at the right moment. This guide walks you through what works, what doesn’t, and how to avoid wasted trips.
Yes, you can often get a package before it hits your doorstep if it’s still inside USPS’s network and hasn’t gone out with a carrier. Your main options are:
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USPS Package Intercept® (paid): redirect a trackable, domestic shipment to be held at a Post Office™ (or sent to a new address) before final delivery. Fees apply if interception succeeds. USPS Intercept
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USPS Delivery Instructions™ (sometimes paid): for eligible shipments, request “Hold at Post Office” or specify a secure drop spot. USPS Delivery Instructions
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Local hold by your delivery unit (informal/phone): if tracking shows “Arrived at Unit” (your local post office), call early and request they hold for pickup at the counter. (Not guaranteed—but common practice.)
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Missed it? Use Redelivery: if a delivery was attempted, schedule Redelivery online or pick up with the PS Form 3849 slip and ID. USPS Redelivery
Pro tip: Once tracking flips to Out for Delivery, it’s usually too late to intercept online. Call the local post office first thing in the morning—they may be able to hold it if it hasn’t left with the carrier yet.
Step-by-step:
How to Start the Package Intercept Process
1) Check the last scan type—it matters
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Arrived at Unit / Arrival at Post Office → Call the local Post Office immediately; request hold for counter pickup.
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In Transit / Departed → Use Package Intercept or Delivery Instructions to reroute/hold at the next stop.
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Out for Delivery → Phone the local office ASAP; if that fails, plan for Redelivery or a next-day pickup with your notice.
2) Use USPS Package Intercept® when you need a sure workflow
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Works only for domestic, trackable mail pieces that haven’t been delivered or released for delivery.
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If successful, USPS charges a Package Intercept fee (currently $18.35) plus any extra postage for the new routing
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Not available for oversized items (generally over 108 inches combined length + girth) or certain mail classes. (Check eligibility on the USPS page.)
3) Try USPS Delivery Instructions™ for a “Hold at Post Office”
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For eligible shipments, you can instruct USPS to hold for pickup at a Post Office (some scenarios involve a fee) or leave at a specified spot.
4) If you missed the carrier: use Redelivery or pick up with ID
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Schedule Redelivery online using your tracking number or the barcode from PS Form 3849; or bring that notice + ID to the pickup location.
It’s also important to remember that your package isn’t being scanned independently or individually every time it moves through a USPS facility.
What to bring & what to expect at the USPS counter
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Government-issued photo ID matching the name/address on the label.
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Tracking number and (if left) PS Form 3849.
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Patience: some distribution centers don’t allow public pickup; the clerk may confirm whether your item is accessible at that location before you drive over.
Common edge cases (so you don’t waste a trip)
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Hybrid handoffs (UPS/FedEx/DHL → USPS “last mile”)
Make sure the package has actually entered USPS custody. If a private carrier still has it, USPS can’t hold it yet. - “Hold for Pickup” vs “Hold Mail”
Hold for Pickup is about a single package. Hold Mail is a vacation hold that pauses all delivery for your address (1–30 days) and can be picked up at the end or delivered in a bundle. - Fees & guarantees
Intercepts aren’t guaranteed; you’re charged if the intercept succeeds (fee + any added postage). Delivery Instructions “Hold at Post Office” can carry a fee in some scenarios. - Days of operation
Check USPS delivery schedule for weekdays and Saturday and Sunday to ensure your package can be delivered or picked up.
FAQs: USPS Pickup Before Delivery
Can I pick up a USPS package before it’s delivered?
Often, yes. If the item is at your local Post Office (Arrived at Unit) or still in USPS custody. Use Package Intercept (paid) to redirect/hold or Delivery Instructions (if eligible) to request Hold at Post Office.
How do I use USPS Package Intercept, and what does it cost?
Submit an online request with your tracking number. If USPS successfully intercepts it, you pay the $18.35 intercept fee plus any additional postage to the new destination/hold.
Does Package Intercept work for all packages?
No. It’s domestic only, requires tracking, and excludes certain oversized items and classes. It must not be delivered or released for delivery yet.
Can I ask USPS to hold my package at a Post Office for pickup?
Yes—use Delivery Instructions (for eligible items) to choose Hold at Post Office; some situations may involve a fee.
What if my tracking says “Out for Delivery”?
Call your local Post Office early; if the parcel hasn’t left with the carrier, they may hold it. Otherwise, wait for the attempt and use Redelivery or pick up with your PS Form 3849.
How long will USPS hold a package after a missed delivery?
After a notice is left (PS Form 3849), most items are held at the Post Office for pickup for a limited period. You can also schedule Redelivery online.
Is “Hold for Pickup” the same as “Hold Mail”?
No. Hold for Pickup is a package-level option; Hold Mail pauses all deliveries for your address (1–30 days) and can be picked up or delivered afterward.
Can USPS leave my package somewhere else or at a different address?
With Delivery Instructions, recipients of eligible items can request a secure drop location or Hold at Post Office; address changes typically require Package Intercept (fees/postage may apply).
If you’re doing this a lot… consider a virtual mailbox
If you routinely chase time-sensitive mail (checks, contracts), a virtual mailbox eliminates the scramble. Your mail is received at a secure address, logged, and digitized fast; you choose to scan, forward, or hold—without multiple phone calls or missed deliveries. (That’s exactly the problem US Global Mail was built to solve.)
Try US Global Mail for a Easier Mailing Experience
There’s an easier way to manage packages and mail—without chasing tracking numbers or waiting on postal timelines. A US Global Mail virtual mailbox gives you a secure, modern address that works like your inbox: everything organized, searchable, and just a click away.
Unlike a P.O. Box, your US Global Mail address can receive deliveries from USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL, and every major carrier, all under one roof. Each time something arrives, you get an instant photo and notification, so you always know what’s waiting.
Need to see what’s inside? Request a scan.
Need it elsewhere? Forward it worldwide—same day.
Need to move money? Have checks deposited automatically.
Everything is encrypted, logged, and handled in secure facilities. No lost mail, no missed deliveries—just complete control.
After 20+ years helping thousands of customers simplify their mail, US Global Mail remains the trusted leader in virtual mail. If you’re ready to skip the line at the Post Office and start managing mail on your terms, get started today.
