How much does USPS Package Intercept cost, and will it stop my package?

The rules

“Only the sender or authorized representative may request Package Intercept.”

“Package Intercept requests are active for 7 business days from the date of the request. Interception of eligible mailpieces is not guaranteed.”

“lets the sender (or authorized representative) stop delivery or redirect a package, letter, or flat that is not out for delivery or already delivered.”

Where you can send it

What it costs

“intercepted Parcel Select, Bound Printed Matter, Media Mail and Library Mail pieces ... are relabeled and handled as a new Priority Mail piece.”

“Customers will not be charged if the shipment was not intercepted.”

Worked example: a 2 lb box of books

What can't be intercepted

• Anything already out for delivery or delivered.
• Mail without a tracking barcode, and USPS Marketing Mail and Periodicals.
• International mail, mail to or from APO/FPO/DPO addresses, and domestic mail needing a customs form.
• Packages marked surface-only or with hazardous-materials markings, such as Label 127 or ORM-D.
• Packages redirected to a PO Box, addressed to a commercial mail receiving agency, or over 130 inches in length plus girth.

From DMM 507.5.1.3 and USPS's Package Intercept page. COD Hold For Pickup pieces are excluded too (DMM 507.5.1.2).

How it's paid, and refunds

• Estimate first: “After submitting your request, you’ll be provided an estimated total (intercept fee plus estimated postage, if applicable).” (USPS Package Intercept page) If USPS catches the package: “If the actual postage is greater than estimated, any additional postage will be charged accordingly.” (USPS Package Intercept page)
• Retail: by credit or debit card at usps.com. New postage is charged at the time of the intercept when possible, or collected as postage due on delivery (DMM 507.5.2.2), which on a package coming back means you.
• Commercial: through the mailer's Enterprise Payment System account.
• Not intercepted: “The USPS Package Intercept fee ($19.45) plus any applicable postage charge may be refundable if the shipment was not intercepted.” (USPS refunds page)
• Intercepted: the fee isn't refundable (“For the Package Intercept per-piece fee once USPS successfully intercepts the mailpiece” (DMM 604.9.2.4)).
• Commercial redirect to a new address that turns out to be bad: “Packages designated for redirection to a new address provided by the mailer that are undeliverable as addressed will be returned to sender” (DMM 507.5.4).

When redirecting to a new address or Hold For Pickup you can add Signature Confirmation, Adult Signature or insurance (insurance only if the original had it, for the original value); for a return to you, Registered Mail (DMM 507.5.3).

USPS's Package Intercept page also says “Intercepted items will be redirected as the service it was originally sent with” (USPS Package Intercept page) and that you pay the applicable postage, while DMM 507.5.2.1, revised Jul 12, 2026, says Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail and Ground Advantage pieces sent back to the sender aren't relabeled or charged more postage. The estimate shown when you submit the request is where to check what you'll be charged.