When will USPS refund postage or an extra-service fee?

Refund windows

“Fees paid for extra services, as allowed under 9.2.3, when the refund request is made by the mailer less than 30 days or more than 60 days from the date the service was purchased”

What qualifies for a full refund

• USPS was at fault, or you paid more than the lawful price.
• An extra service you paid for wasn't provided: “Fees are paid for Certified Mail services, USPS Tracking, or USPS Signature Services, and the article fails to receive the extra service for which the fee is paid.” (DMM 604.9.2.3)
• A return receipt wasn't furnished, or restricted delivery went to the wrong person or wasn't made (Restricted Delivery).
• Priority Mail Express wasn't delivered within its service standard, with the exceptions in DMM 604.9.5 (how that refund works).
• A First-Class Mail, Ground Advantage or Package Services piece was torn or defaced by USPS so the address can't be read; where possible the item comes back with the refund.

List from DMM 604.9.2.3, whose only on-time refund is for Priority Mail Express. Priority Mail and Ground Advantage carry no money-back delivery guarantee; USPS's Priority Mail page says so for Priority Mail:

“The expected delivery date does not come with a money-back guarantee.”

What USPS won't refund

• “Collect on delivery (COD), Priority Mail Express insurance, insured mail, and Registered Mail fees, after the USPS accepts the article (even if the article is later withdrawn from the mail).” (DMM 604.9.2.4)
• Postage or fees with no postmarked receipt, Post Office receipt or valid acceptance or processing scan (DMM 604.9.2.4).
• “For undeliverable Certified Mail and Signature Confirmation extra service fees, when the mailpiece has received an event scan that indicates an attempted delivery (e.g., UAA, Refused, etc.).” (DMM 604.9.2.4)
• “For the Package Intercept per-piece fee once USPS successfully intercepts the mailpiece” (DMM 604.9.2.4)
• Unused stamps, and stamps on mail you didn't send (unused labels and stamps).
• Extra-service fee requests made before day 30 or after day 60.

How to apply

1. Online at usps.com: for Priority Mail Express, Certified Mail, return receipts (paper and electronic), Signature Confirmation and Marketing Mail tracking. Have the tracking number and receipt ready, and keep the evidence until it's resolved (DMM 604.9.2.5).
2. Or at a Post Office on PS Form 3533, with the envelope or wrapper, or other proof of the postage and fees paid. The postmaster grants or denies it.
3. Online extra-service refunds are paid by check; at a Post Office an immediate refund can be cash or a no-fee money order up to $1,000 (DMM 604.9.2.6).
4. Denied online? Appeal online within 30 days of the denial.

Worked example

Other refunds on USPS's refunds page: Pickup on Demand, only if the carrier doesn't come on the scheduled day (pickup rules); Package Intercept, when the package wasn't intercepted (Package Intercept).