Every carrier hopes you won't file a claim — the process is deliberately friction-heavy. But in 2026, filing a well-documented claim on a lost or damaged parcel is very often successful, and the money isn't small. Here's the exact process for each major carrier, plus the tricks that improve payout rates. ## Before you file: gather evidence Every successful claim starts with the same evidence pack: 1. **Tracking number** (yes, obviously) 2. **Proof of value** — a receipt, invoice, PayPal record or screenshot of the eBay listing 3. **Photos of the damaged item AND packaging** (from multiple angles) 4. **Photos of the shipping label** — carriers reject claims when the label is illegible 5. **Proof of shipment** — the drop-off receipt or online label purchase confirmation 6. **Contents description** — what was inside, in specific terms Assemble these before starting any claim form. Missing evidence is the #1 reason claims get denied. ## USPS **Website:** claims.usps.com **Deadline:** 60 days for domestic lost mail; 60 days for damage; longer for insured Priority Mail Express **Typical resolution:** 5–10 business days **Steps:** 1. Wait the required waiting period (typically 7 days for Priority Mail after the expected delivery date, 15 days for Ground Advantage) 2. Log into USPS.com with a personal account 3. Enter the tracking number and select the claim type 4. Upload evidence, description and value 5. Submit **Payout tip:** USPS typically covers up to $100 free on Priority Mail. Anything above that requires purchased insurance. Save your receipts if you added insurance at the counter. ## UPS **Website:** ups.com under "Claims" **Deadline:** 60 days from delivery date for damage; 9 months for lost **Typical resolution:** 8–15 business days **Steps:** 1. Log into your UPS account (create one if needed) 2. Enter tracking number 3. Select "Damaged" or "Lost" 4. Upload photos, invoice and description 5. Wait for UPS to potentially schedule a package inspection at your address **Payout tip:** UPS is famously strict about packaging. If they determine your box wasn't strong enough for the contents, they'll deny the claim. Double-boxed and well-cushioned items win claims. ## FedEx **Website:** fedex.com/apps/onlineclaims **Deadline:** 60 days for damage; 9 months for lost **Typical resolution:** 7–14 business days **Steps:** 1. Go to the online claims portal 2. Enter tracking number 3. Select claim reason 4. Upload evidence (invoice, photos, ID) 5. Submit **Payout tip:** FedEx will sometimes ask you to keep the damaged item available for pickup and inspection for up to 7 days. Don't discard the packaging until the claim closes. ## DHL Express **Website:** mydhl.express.dhl (or contact your account manager) **Deadline:** 30 days from delivery for damage; longer for international lost **Typical resolution:** 10–20 business days **Steps:** 1. Contact DHL customer service or your account rep 2. Complete the claim form (they'll email it) 3. Attach commercial invoice, photos and packaging evidence 4. Return the completed form and evidence pack **Payout tip:** DHL is stricter on international claims. Make sure the commercial invoice matches the declared value exactly — mismatches are the top denial reason. ## What insurance actually covers All four carriers exclude some categories from full coverage: - Cash, jewellery and precious metals (usually capped at $100 or less) - Perishables - Live animals - Items shipped in original manufacturer packaging alone - Items over declared value - Damage from insufficient packaging Read your carrier's terms — the exclusions are specific and boring but material to claim outcomes. ## The "sufficient packaging" trap Every carrier reserves the right to deny a claim if they decide the packaging was inadequate. To beat this: 1. Use a **new box** — never re-used 2. Add **at least 2 inches of cushioning** on all sides 3. Double-box **fragile items** 4. **Photograph the packaging process** before sealing 5. Use **fragile stickers** as insurance; they influence handling in warehouses ## How to appeal a denied claim All four carriers offer at least one appeal round. Success tips: 1. Address the specific denial reason 2. Add any new photos or documents 3. Reference the carrier's own policy language when relevant 4. Escalate to Twitter/X or corporate contacts if online appeal fails (public pressure often gets results) 5. Consider a small-claims court filing for high-value denied claims — you can often recover under state contract law ## Typical payout timelines In our 2026 review data, average payout time (from submission to money in bank): - USPS: 12 days - UPS: 14 days - FedEx: 11 days - DHL: 18 days Rejections are also part of the story: about 15%–25% of first-time claims are denied, most often for insufficient evidence. Almost all denials that are appealed with additional evidence flip to approval. ## The bottom line Package claims are annoying but almost always winnable if you (1) preserve packaging, (2) document contents and value, and (3) file within the deadline. Every major carrier has a workable process — the trick is having the evidence pack ready before you start. And whether the outcome is a fast refund or a frustrating denial, share the experience on DeliverInga to help other shippers know what they're really signing up for.