Is UPS liable if they lose your package?

Asked by: Gene Hansen  |  Last update: August 12, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (48 votes)

If UPS loses your package, you have the right to file a claim for reimbursement or a refund. The amount of compensation you may be eligible for will depend on the value of the lost package and the specific circumstances of the shipment.

Is UPS responsible for lost packages?

†If your package is insured through the UPS Capital® Flexible Parcel Multi-Carrier Program (the “FMC Program”) and it is damaged or lost in transit, you'll be reimbursed in accordance with The UPS Store® center's insurance policy issued pursuant to the FMC Program.

Who is legally responsible for lost packages?

It is more often the seller's responsibility, whether or not it is their fault. First contact the seller as they might be willing to send you a replacement item. Then either you or the seller will most likely file a claim with whoever delivered the package, which is why shipping insurance can be very important.

Can you sue if UPS loses your package?

Yes, you can sue UPS if they lose your package, but there are certain conditions to consider. Before taking legal action, it's essential to file a claim with UPS regarding the lost package. If UPS denies the claim or does not resolve the issue to your satisfaction, you may have grounds to take them to court.

Will UPS refund a stolen package?

If your package is deemed lost or stolen, UPS will reimburse the sender for the value of the package. However, it's always a good idea to take preventive measures to avoid such situations in the first place.

UPS Claims- Simple and Easy

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How much will UPS reimburse for a lost package?

UPS provides all packages automatically with $100 worth of liability for loss or damage. A shipper can declare a higher value for the shipment with an additional charge. With this in mind, UPS specifically states that UPS's declared value is not insurance.

Who pays if my package is stolen?

If the USPS stolen package was insured, you will get a refund directly from the courier. If it wasn't insured, you should contact the seller for either a refund or replacement.

What happens if UPS loses your parcel?

The sender or receiver of a missing UPS package can open a claim with the company for a full refund. The entire claim process with UPS takes an average of 10 days to be completed. You can report a missing UPS package and file a claim at the UPS claims site.

Can I get compensated for a lost package?

Liability for Lost or Missing Packages

If the package is lost or damaged during transit with a third-party shipper or delivery service such as the United States Postal Service (USPS) or FedEx, the seller is responsible and usually must replace the item or give you a reimbursement.

How common is it for UPS to lose a package?

UPS has a very low package loss rate, with less than 1% of packages being lost or damaged in transit. However, this can still result in a significant number of lost packages due to the high volume of packages that UPS handles on a daily basis.

Who is liable if my parcel goes missing?

Your item was delivered by a courier

If your item wasn't delivered to the location you agreed, it's the seller's legal responsibility to sort out the issue.

Does the shipper or receiver file a claim UPS?

1.2 A claim may be raised by the shipper (the person who concluded the Service Agreement with UPS (i.e., usually a sender of the package or shipment), or its authorized representative.

What happens if the USPS loses my package without insurance?

You can file a claim anytime between 0-60 days for insurance related claims. What if I didn't buy insurance? If your package was sent first-class and you didn't purchase insurance, then I'm sorry, but you're out of luck. All USPS will do for you is a Missing Mail Search.

Who is responsible if a package is lost?

The USPS may locate the package or discover that it was lost or damaged. In either case, the responsibility shifts from the sender to the carrier. If this happens, the sender should file an insurance claim and request compensation from the carrier.

Is UPS responsible for misdelivered packages?

Here's the bottom line: UPS may have denied your claim, but they are 100% responsible and liable for the misdelivery and the item and cost thereof.

Does UPS refund claims?

This means that we will refund or credit you with the shipping charges (or the proportionate part if only some of the parcels in a shipment fail to meet the time limit) on request, where the money-back guarantee applies, if we deliver outside our time commitment.

Can I get a refund if my package is lost?

Alas, if the package is still not found after the “missing mail search,” you may want to request a refund. For domestic mail in the 50 United States, you can submit a refund request by providing proof of purchase. The items you will need include: The tracking number.

What do I do if my package says delivered but I never got it USPS?

What You Can Do: If you still can't find your package and it has been over 24 hours since the 'delivered' status, use your tracking number and submit a service request to your local Post Office™.

Can I sue for a lost package?

So, while you might be able to sue FedEx or UPS for losing a package, you can't sue the USPS. As your lawyer shows you out, they suggest you file a missing mail claim with the USPS. Next time, you'll pay for insurance.

Who pays when UPS loses a package?

When UPS loses a package, the first step is to contact the company's customer service department. They will initiate a search for the package and try to locate it. If the package cannot be found, UPS will reimburse the shipper for the value of the package and any shipping costs.

Does UPS actually investigate lost packages?

Have a problem with a lost or damaged package? Provide us with the details and we'll put all hands on deck to investigate. File a Claim as a Guest.

What happens if UPS says delivered but no package?

File a claim if your package is damaged, it's been days since it's been scanned, or if it says delivered and you cant find it. We'll investigate to see how we can make it right.

What happens if someone steals my UPS package?

How and When to Report a Stolen Package. According to UPS, you can start a claim for a lost or damaged package within 60 days of the scheduled delivery. This gives you some time to do some due diligence and gather your documentation. However, ensure you don't let things go too long and miss your window.

Who is at fault if a package is stolen?

Take as a whole, the Buyer is largely put in the position to resolve the issue by reaching out to the Seller or making a claim with the Delivery Company. The Buyer is also responsible for reporting the crime to the local police. So the trade-off question is: Is it worth it?

Who is responsible if a parcel is stolen from your doorstep?

If the item has been left somewhere they didn't specify, like on a doorstep without permission, then you are legally bound to redeliver the item or offer a refund. Direct any complaints to the courier service. If the customer thinks the item has been stolen then it is also a matter for the police.