Have you ever tracked a USPS package only to see it traveling in the wrong direction, farther away from you and its destination? If your package seems to be going the wrong way through the USPS network, don’t worry – there are some logical reasons why this may be happening. This article will explain why your package may initially move farther away, and provide tips on what to do if your mail continues to be delayed.
Common Reasons a USPS Package Goes Farther Away
There are a few common scenarios that can cause your package to take an unexpected detour and travel farther away en route to its final destination:
The Package is Going to a Mail Sorting Facility
As mail enters the USPS system, it needs to be routed to the correct sorting facilities before it can start traveling closer to the recipient address. This means it often has to go to a central sorting hub that could be farther away at first. Packages are encoded with barcodes and sent through various machines that route them to the proper next facility. So seeing some backwards movement is normal at the start.
The Package Got Stuck with the Wrong Bin or Mail
During the sorting process, mail can accidentally get grouped with the wrong bin going to another location. USPS processes millions of packages daily, so occasional human errors can occur. If your package gets stuck with mail going the opposite direction, it may start moving away from you until it gets rerouted.
The Most Efficient Route Takes it Farther Away First
While counterintuitive, sometimes the most efficient overall transit route will first take a package farther from the destination before turning it around. Especially when going to more remote addresses, strange routes can happen. The good news is USPS has optimized their routing for the quickest total time, so temporary backwards movement is usually resolved quickly.
The Address or Barcode is Incorrect
One common reason for significant detours is an error with the destination address or barcode routing number. If any digits are wrong, the package can get sent hundreds of miles off track. Always triple check the full delivery address and barcode before mailing to avoid issues. If there is an error, contact USPS quickly to get it corrected.
The Package is Stuck in Transit
Unfortunately, packages do occasionally get stuck at a facility for various reasons. Weather, equipment malfunctions, holidays, insufficient staffing, or other issues can cause delays. If your package seems stuck in one spot for several days with no updates, it’s likely stalled. Keep reading for tips on how to get a stuck package moving again.
What to Do if Your USPS Package is Delayed Farther Away
If your package started moving in the wrong direction and is now significantly delayed, here are some recommendations on next steps:
Be Patient at First
As covered above, some backwards movement is expected as packages enter the USPS network. Unless severely delayed, give it a couple days to correct the route. The system is designed to get packages back on track.
Check the Tracking Details Closely
Take a close look at the tracking scans and locations over time. Does the package seem stuck in one spot? Did the destination ZIP code suddenly change indicating an address error? Understanding the specifics helps diagnose the issue.
Contact USPS Customer Service
If the package is still moving away after 2-3 days, it’s time to contact USPS. Call customer service at 1-800-ASK-USPS and provide the tracking number. They can investigate delayed or stuck packages and get them rerouted.
Visit Your Local Post Office
For fastest help, the local post office can be even more useful than customer service. They will have greater visibility into routes and issues at regional sorting centers. Bring your tracking number and IDs.
Request Package Intercept
If the mail has an incorrect address and USPS can’t reroute it, you may need to set up a package intercept. This allows the recipient to request the specific mailpiece be pulled and returned to the sender for correction.
File a Missing Mail Claim
If a package seems lost in transit and USPS has exhausted all searching options, you can file a missing mail claim. This starts the process of potentially recovering value for the lost contents. Make sure to add insurance when mailing valuable items.
Get a Refund on Postage
If your package ultimately does get severely delayed, damaged, or lost, make sure to request a refund on the postage costs. USPS will generally provide this refund after investigating the situation. Insured packages allow claiming the actual value too.
Key Takeaways When USPS Packages Go the Wrong Way
A few important points to remember when your package goes farther away from its destination:
- Some backwards movement when first entering the USPS network is normal as packages route to sorting facilities.
- Look for sorting errors, barcode issues, incorrect addresses, or transit delays causing unusual detours.
- Contact USPS customer service for help if not back on track after a couple days.
- Visit your local post office for faster in-person assistance getting packages found and rerouted.
- Request a mail intercept, missing mail search, or postage refund for lost or severely delayed packages.
- Adding insurance provides recourse for recovering value on lost or damaged packages.
While a USPS package traveling away from you can be worrying, in most cases the system corrects the route in a reasonable time. But if a package is still going the wrong way after a few days, take action by contacting USPS to get it back on track to you. With some investigation and effort, you’ll get your mail delivered quickly and safely.
