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Canada Post holds most undelivered parcels for 15 calendar days; faster services like Xpresspost and Priority get a shorter hold. USPS typically holds packages for about 15 days too. In both countries, an unclaimed parcel is sent back to the sender, and perishables go back sooner.
| Service | Hold window | What happens if you don't claim it |
|---|---|---|
| Canada Post Expedited / regular parcels | 15 calendar days from the first delivery notice | Returned to sender |
| Canada Post Xpresspost | 5 business days (shorter than standard) | Returned to sender |
| Canada Post Priority | 5 business days | Returned to sender |
| USPS standard packages | About 15 days from the first delivery attempt | Returned to sender or treated as undeliverable |
| USPS Priority Mail Express | About 5 days (shorter than standard) | Returned to sender |
| Perishables (both carriers) | Shorter; often returned within a few days | Returned before spoiling, or disposed of |
You usually get a physical delivery notice card left at your door or in your mailbox, plus a tracking update online. Canada Post's card tells you which post office or Shoppers Drug Mart outlet is holding the item and by what date to pick it up. USPS's notice points you to the local post office listed on the card. If you are expecting something and the tracking shows "available for pickup" or "notice left," that is your cue.
Bring the delivery notice card and photo ID. The name on your ID should match the name on the parcel. If someone else is picking it up for you, Canada Post generally accepts the notice card signed over to them plus their own ID; USPS has similar authorization rules. Neither carrier will hand your package to a stranger with no documentation, so do not lose the card.
Sometimes. USPS lets you request a hold extension or redelivery through its website or app, and Canada Post offers redelivery scheduling online for some items. But neither carrier guarantees an extension, and perishables almost never get one. If you know you will be away, the more reliable move is to have the item held for pickup from the start, or use a service like Canada Post FlexDelivery, which routes your parcels to a post office for pickup at no extra charge.
It depends on the carrier and service. Canada Post's standard 15-day hold is calendar days, counting from the day after the notice. That means a package noticed on a Friday can expire on a Sunday, when many outlets are closed, so check the exact pickup deadline printed on the card. USPS holds generally run on calendar days too. Faster services run shorter windows, which is exactly why express parcels expire before people expect.
Private couriers hold for a few business days and make fewer attempts, typically three delivery tries before returning the parcel. Their tracking pages usually offer a redelivery scheduler and a pickup-location option. If you miss their window, the package goes back to the sender and you may pay return shipping or a resend fee. LetterAgent cannot help with courier pickups, but if you are the one shipping in Canada, you can get a Canada Post Xpresspost label through your AI assistant: you approve the exact quoted price and receive a label PDF. Canada-only, 5 kg maximum.
Ready to ship it? Get a shipping label with LetterAgent: describe it to your AI assistant, approve the exact quoted price, and get your label.
LetterAgent is a working name. Prices include print, postage, and our service fee. US prices in USD, Canadian prices in CAD (Canadian prices exclude applicable sales tax, added at checkout). Currently in private testing.
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