What should a customer do if an item is lost in the mail?

When an item is lost in the mail, the most effective course of action is to file a missing mail search request. This process allows the Postal Service to begin tracking down the lost item using its tracking system and resources. By submitting a missing mail search request, customers provide crucial information such as tracking numbers, descriptions of the item, and where they sent or received it from. This initiates an investigation into the whereabouts of the mail piece.

Utilizing this method can lead to quicker resolutions for customers, as it streamlines the assistance process. The Postal Service has specific protocols in place to address missing items, and this request is the starting point to invoke those procedures. It emphasizes the importance of promptly reporting lost mail rather than waiting or only reaching out to the sender, which might delay the recovery process.