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My parcel arrived damaged. What evidence does USPS want?

For a damaged parcel, USPS wants photos showing the extent of the damage, plus the original packaging and damaged items kept for possible inspection. You must file no later than 60 days after the mailing date. Also gather proof of value and proof of insurance, such as a receipt or label record.

What the USPS rule actually says

USPS treats damage and missing contents as a claim you can file immediately. You do not have to wait. But there is a hard stop: you must file no later than 60 days after the mailing date. That is the same deadline that applies to most domestic claims.

The evidence USPS asks for is practical, not legalistic. For damage, photos showing the extent of the damage help the case. And you should keep the original packaging and damaged items because they may be inspected. That means do not throw the box away, even if it looks ruined.

You will also need to show what the item was worth and that it was insured. Those are separate from the damage photos, and missing them is a common reason a claim stalls.

The steps to take, in order

Start by setting the damaged parcel aside. Do not repair it, repack it, or discard any part of it. Then work through these steps:

1. Photograph everything. Take clear photos of the outer box, the shipping label, the damage to the box, and the damaged item itself. Include close-ups and wider shots that show the extent of the damage.
2. Gather your proof of value. This can be a sales receipt, invoice or bill of sale, a statement of value or repair estimate from a reputable dealer, a credit card billing statement, or an online transaction printout showing the price and purchase details.
3. Gather your proof of insurance. This can be the original mailing receipt, the outer packaging showing the insurance label, or the printed electronic label record from the application used to buy the label and insurance.
4. File the claim yourself at usps.com. Filing is free. No paid service can move you up the queue.

Keep copies of everything you submit.

What to gather before you start

Before you open the claim form, put these items in one place:

• The damaged item and all original packaging, including the box and any padding.
• Photos showing the extent of the damage.
• Proof of value: a sales receipt, invoice or bill of sale, a statement of value or repair estimate from a reputable dealer, a credit card billing statement, or an online transaction printout showing the price and purchase details.
• Proof of insurance: the original mailing receipt, the outer packaging showing the insurance label, or the printed electronic label record from the application used to buy the label and insurance.

If you are missing one of these, look for a digital copy. Many online purchases give you an invoice or transaction printout you can save as a PDF. If you bought insurance at the counter, the mailing receipt is the key document. If you bought it online, the label record is the key document.

Having these ready means you can file in one sitting and avoid a back-and-forth that eats into your 60 days.

What goes wrong, and how to avoid it

The most common mistake is throwing away the packaging. USPS says the original packaging and damaged items should be kept because they may be inspected. If you have already discarded them, there is no stated procedure to replace that evidence, so the best approach is to avoid discarding anything in the first place.

Another mistake is waiting. You may file a damage claim immediately, but you still must file no later than 60 days after the mailing date. People often set the box aside meaning to deal with it later, then miss the window. Put a reminder in your calendar as soon as the damage happens.

A third mistake is confusing proof of value with proof of insurance. They are different. Proof of value shows what the item was worth. Proof of insurance shows that the shipment was insured. Check your documents against the lists above before you file.

Finally, do not pay a third party to file for you. The official route is free and you file it yourself at usps.com.

When it is worth paying someone

For a straightforward damaged parcel claim, it is rarely worth paying anyone. Filing is free at usps.com, and the evidence USPS wants is within your reach: photos, proof of value, and proof of insurance. A paid service cannot move you up the queue.

There are narrow situations where paying for help might make sense. If the item is high-value and the claim is complex, or if you are a business shipping many parcels and need help organizing records, an independent professional might assist with paperwork. But that person cannot act for you before USPS or promise any outcome. You still file your own claim.

The important thing is to file before the 60-day deadline passes. Do not let the perfect evidence stop you from meeting the deadline.

Frequently asked questions

Related guides

• Lost and damaged packages: every guide
• My USPS package is missing. When can I file a claim, and what is the deadline?
• My checked bag was late. Do I get the bag fee back?
• My flight was cancelled. How long does the airline have to refund me?

Sources

• USPS, File a Claim