What does the USPS do to packages that contain prohibited items? (2024)

FAQs

How does the post office check packages for drugs? ›

The only way that an item sent through USPS can be seized and searched is with a search warrant. If there is probable cause to believe that a letter or package contains something that is in violation of federal law, then the Postal Inspectors can request a search warrant to open the piece of mail.

All mail is returned to your local Post Office™ facility to attempt delivery the next business day. A blocked receptacle could be due to a parked vehicle, local utility work in the area, weather conditions or emergency responders impeding access.

Some of the mail that is sent through the United States Postal Service will pass through an X-Ray machine. There are no specific guidelines as to what may or may not be x-rayed, though mail sent to or through larger cities is likely to pass through an X-Ray machine.

How do packages get flagged? Mail may be flagged if the letter or package is stained or is leaking. According to a USPS brochure, reused packaging and boxes are only acceptable when all markings and labels are removed or completely marked out.

You may be subject to penalties up to the value of the genuine merchandise based on the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP). These can be quite high and would require a separate petition filing to mitigate these fines down. Note you may not receive a penalty notice until way after the seizure case was closed.

Postal officials say letters or packages sealed with excessive amounts or tape may be dangerous. Stamps could be a clue. Foreign postmarks and excessive amounts of postage should be a red flag this package might contain something harmful. Check for stains on the package.

Processing centers and retail and delivery units send mail items without valid addressee and sender information to the MRC, where MRC staff act as detectives. They scan and open packages in hopes of finding address information that will facilitate the delivery or return of items valued at $25 or more.

If there's no way to identify the package's intended delivery address or sender, then the USPS discards, donates, recycles, or auctions the item off.

For a fee, USPS Package Intercept^® lets the sender or recipient stop delivery or redirect a package, letter, or flat that is not out for delivery or already delivered. Most domestic mailings with a tracking or extra services barcode are eligible for Package Intercept. You can only request a Package Intercept online.

Common Characteristics of Suspicious Packages

Package or envelope with suspicious leaks, stains, or powdered substances. Package is rigid, bulky, or has excessive tape/string. Poor handwriting, misspellings, improperly addressed. Excessive postage, no postage, or no/strange return address.

What does customs look for in packages? ›

The US Customs and Border Protection, or CBP, is tasked with screening all of them. They're looking for anything that isn't legally allowed in the US; certain foods, animals, drugs, and counterfeit goods.

Traditional discreet shipping

Think brown cardboard boxes, single-color paper, and labels that don't discuss what's inside. It's also possible to use unmarked postal service boxes, especially flat-rate boxes, to conceal the contents. These are smart because you also get expedited options without raising any eyebrows.

Postal Inspectors investigate any crime with a nexus to the mail. These crimes include mail theft, mail fraud, financial fraud, identity theft, robberies and burglaries of postal facilities, assaults and threats on postal employees, investigations of dangerous and prohibited mails, narcotics, cybercrime and much more.

Once the postal inspector receives the suspected mail, they will attempt to contact the sender or recipient and, if unsuccessful, scan it as “seized by law enforcement.” The scan is visible in the Postal Service's tracking system to the sender and recipient as well as postal personnel.

An irregular package is basically anything outside of normal packaging, dimensions, and weights for both USPS and UPS services. Some examples of these kinds of packages are mailing tubes, or anything that isn't inside a cardboard box, envelope, or poly mailer.

Mail may be flagged if the letter or package is stained or is leaking. According to a USPS brochure, reused packaging and boxes are only acceptable when all markings and labels are removed or completely marked out.

If you get caught sending or receiving illegal drugs in the mail or through a parcel service like FedEx or UPS, you could be facing federal felony drug trafficking charges. It could mean years in prison and heavy fines.

UPS has the right to inspect any package you send.

For one thing, private companies like UPS include the "Right of Inspection" in their terms and conditions, meaning the company "reserves the right to open and inspect any package" a customer pays it to transport.

If there is probable cause to believe the contents of a First-Class letter or parcel violate federal law, Postal Inspectors can obtain a search warrant to open the mail piece. Other classes of mail do not contain private correspondence and therefore may be opened without a warrant.

How do you know if something is a red flag? ›

What is a red flag? A red flag is essentially a signal that goes off when something's not right, intuitively telling you to steer clear. In the case of relationships, they'll show up when the object of your affection does or says something that rubs you the wrong way and makes you question the relationship.

The package might get scanned with the message “Seized by Law Enforcement” but it is also possible that there will be no message.

Drug sniffing dogs are used on occasion at certain facilities, as deemed appropriate by the US Postal Inspection Service. Customs intercepted my package from my local post office, tracking has stopped. What can I expect?

Items of unusual weight relative to their size, or that are lopsided or oddly shaped. Items which are sealed with excessive amounts of tape. An item containing a postmark which does not match the return address or bears an excessive amount of postage. Mailpiece is leaking an unknown powdery substance.