What Does USPS “Delivered to Agent for Final Delivery” Mean?
If you’ve ever received a package with the USPS tracking information reading “Delivered to Agent for Final Delivery,” you may be wondering what that means. What is a USPS delivery agent? What should you do if your package was delivered to an agent instead of your mailbox or doorstep? In this article, we will answer all those questions and more!
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Meaning of “Delivered to Agent for Final Delivery”
If you see the tracking status of your USPS package says “Delivered to Agent for Final Delivery,” it means that your package is in the hands of a postal agent who will complete the final delivery. This can be another resident of your apartment, a doorman, a concierge, or even your coworker if you have a package sent to your office. These can sign for USPS parcels on behalf of someone else.
The USPS delivery worker will give the package to someone they think is trustworthy to finish delivering it to the person who is supposed to get it.
You may have other questions related to this term of service. Keep reading to get more info about what “delivery agent” means, and how to act if your item is delivered to one. You will also find answers to other questions people often ask about this topic.
Definition of a USPS Delivery Agent
A USPS delivery agent is anyone who is authorized to complete the final delivery of a package. That may be other residents of your house, roommate, doormen, coworker, or your child if they’re at least 12.
However, postal carriers will not make someone a delivery agent if they do not look trustworthy enough.
Apart from those mentioned above, that may also be letter carriers, postal clerks, and anyone else who works for the United States Postal Service. The delivery agent is responsible for making sure that the package is delivered to the correct address and that it is signed for by the recipient.
In some cases, the delivery agent may also be responsible for delivering packages to P.O. boxes. If you have a package that is being delivered to a P.O. box, you will usually see the tracking status reading “Delivered to Post Office.”
USPS Verification of Delivery Agent Identity
The USPS does not require the delivery agent to confirm their identity. However, they may need to provide a government-issued ID if they are asked to do so.
Most of the time, when the person who is getting the message lives or works at the same address as the person who is sending it, there are no problems. Usually, the USPS mail carrier will not hand over a large parcel to someone on your street.
Tracking a Package You Did Not Receive
If your package tracking information says “Delivered to Agent for Final Delivery” and you didn’t receive it, don’t worry! You can still track your package.
When a postal worker delivers a package to an agent for final delivery, they scan the package’s barcode. This scan records the time, date, and location of the delivery. So there are 2 ways to get more information about what happened to your package:
Visit the USPS Website
The first way is to visit the USPS website and enter your tracking number. This will give you more detailed information about your package’s delivery, including the time, date, and location of the delivery.
Use the USPS App
Open the app and sign in (or create an account).
Tap on the Tracking tab at the bottom of the screen
Enter your package’s tracking number and tap on the blue Search button.
Once you see your package’s tracking information, tap on the blue Info button.
On the next screen, tap on Events.
Here you will see a list of all the events that have happened to your package, including when it was delivered to an agent for final delivery.
Call USPS customer service
Dial 1-800-275-8777 and select the option needed.
When prompted, enter your package’s tracking number.
If the location is your home address, try sending a message to people you live with to see if they took it for you. If you think your mail was sent to your work address, call your office and ask if it is here.
Alternatively, you can get in touch with your local post office. They will be able to give you more information on where your package is.
Missing Package with Delivered to Agent Status
If you believe your package was delivered to an agent, but you never received it, there are a few steps you can take:
Check with your family or roommates to see if someone else may have received it on your behalf.
If you think your package was delivered to your work address, call the office to see if someone there has it.
If you have a neighbor who frequently receives your mail, they may have accidentally received your package as well.
Contact the company that sent the package to see if they can track it down for you.
Sometimes, mistakes can and do happen. The best thing you can do is wait an extra business day for an update on the status of your package. If it still shows as delivered to the agent, then you can contact your local post office for more information.
Moreover, some USPS drivers can act as an agent for you and sign for your package. This happens if the worker was supposed to deliver something but could not find anyone to give it to. The agent will sign for the package and put it back on the truck for next-day delivery.
“Picked Up by Shipping Agent” Meaning
You can also notice that your package has “Picked Up By Shipping Agent” or “Picked Up And Processed By Agent” status. The method detailed here is completely different from the one used by the other agent, even though that agent is also a third-party supplier.
This term also refers to clients who use the Parcel Return Service to make a return. According to the USPS website, items with this classification have been collected at its station. Packages that say “consolidated at a USPS facility” on the tracking site and have a specific zip code are being held at a USPS facility. A third-party provider will come to pick up the mail. They will take it back to where it came from.
Conclusion
There are a few different things that can happen when your package says it was delivered to an agent. Most likely, it just means that the package was delivered to someone else from your apartment, office, or neighborhood. In some cases, the package may be at your local post office, and you will get it soon. If you’re still having trouble locating your package, you can contact the company that sent it to see if they can help track it down.
Have you ever had a package delivered to an agent? What did you do to find it? Let us know in the comments below!
