Are you expecting a package from USPS, but received a notice stating that the package couldn’t be delivered due to ‘no secure location’ being available?
This message can be both confusing and frustrating, especially if you were really hoping to get your package today.
So, what caused this, and what can be done to ensure you get your package as quickly as possible?
In this article, I’ll be covering everything that you need to know!
What Does It Mean If USPS States ‘No Secure Location Available?’
When USPS states that there is no secure location available, this means that there was no place they can leave your package where they felt like it would be safe.
For example, if you live in a city with high rates of theft, they may feel uncomfortable leaving your package with nobody home, as there is a high probability that it will be stolen by the time you get back.
Alternatively, there may be no place the package can be left without being damaged by rain, wind or snow, so USPS will prevent delivery in order to ensure the package remains unharmed.
In rural areas, this message is also commonly left when the package has to be left in or near a mailbox, due to the actual home being more than a half a mile off of the main road.
For addresses in which the home is on a very lengthy driveway, USPS may not be able to deliver it all the way to the house. So if the location they can deliver the package to isn’t secure enough to leave it, they may opt to hold the package and leave a slip marked ‘No Secure Location’ in your mailbox instead.
Later in this article, I’ll be covering how you can request that they deliver the package anyway – and other options you have for getting the package to you as quickly as possible.
For now, let’s learn more about why USPS doesn’t just deliver the package anyway.
Why Won’t USPS Deliver The Package Anyway?
USPS is known for their reliability and dependability – being able to deliver to every address in the United States in a safe and timely manner.
Needless to say, they don’t want to be blamed if packages go missing, are stolen, or are damaged due to being left outside with no protection.
While parcel lockers are becoming more common across the country, there are still many areas where there is simply no safe way to leave a package out without the risk of something happening to you.
Remember that USPS doesn’t know you, your schedule, or even the contents of the package.
If something bad were to happen to it, this would reflect poorly on them as a service.
So, by holding the package until they can be sure it’s delivered safely, it goes a long way towards preventing these sort of issues!
How To Ensure You’re Able To Get Your Package From USPS
Although it can be frustrating that USPS refused to deliver, this typically doesn’t result in much of a delay.
In fact, if you act quick, you can often receive the package the very next day!
The exact instructions you’ll need to follow will depend on how you were made aware that there was no secure location available to leave your package.
Often times, USPS will leave a slip either on your door, or in your mailbox. This is how most people find out that their package wasn’t actually delivered that day.
Alternatively, you may instead find this information while tracking your shipment on USPS’ website.
Regardless of the situation, it’s a good idea to look to see whether or not a slip was left.
If a slip is present, it will usually contain specific instructions on what to do next in order to receive your package. This may include asking USPS redeliver and leave the package anyway, or picking it up yourself at your local post office branch.
If you’re unable to find a slip, contact or visit your local post office for next steps.
Often times, you will be able to pick it up there as early as the next day, as delivery may not be reattempted unless you specifically request it.
So, you are free to pick up the package from the post office whenever it’s most convenient!
Note: For more information on picking up packages from USPS, click here. Remember to bring your government-issued ID!
What Happens If You Don’t Receive Your Package?
If you don’t visit the post office to retrieve your package you never make arrangements with USPS to redeliver, unfortunately the package will be returned to the sender.
An exact timeline depends on the shipping service used for the shipment, and a table can be found on USPS’ website here.
Most commonly, packages will be returned to the sender 15 days after the initial delivery attempt. However, this can also be as little as 5 days if the package was shipped using Priority Mail Express.
So, you will want to get this issue taken care of as quickly as possible!
If you were left a delivery slip on your door or in your mailbox, follow the instructions on the slip to make arrangements.
Otherwise, contact or visit your local post office to arrange the next steps.
Conclusion
When USPS can’t deliver due to no secure location being available, this means exactly what it sounds like – the person delivering the package didn’t feel the package was secure.
This can be caused due to living in areas with high rates of theft, or the package requiring to be left at a mailbox that is far away from the house.
In any case, follow the instructions above to ensure that you are able to receive your package before it is returned back to the sender.
I hope that you’ve found this article helpful, and that you’ll be able to get your package soon.
If you have any other questions about USPS, please ask them below and I’ll be happy to get back to you ASAP.
Wishing you the best,
– James McAllister