If UPS cannot deliver a package after its final attempt, UPS’s United States guidance says the package is returned to the sender. Before that happens, the tracking record for your parcel may show another attempt, an eligible delivery change, or an Access Point pickup option. Where UPS holds a parcel at an Access Point, the US hold period is seven calendar days, so the window to act is short.
How the three attempts work
UPS’s US “UPS Delivery Notice” support page says UPS “may make up to three delivery attempts at its discretion at your address on regular UPS delivery days.” It also says that “after the final attempt, undeliverable packages will be returned to the sender.”
The word “up to” matters. Three is the stated maximum, not a promise that every parcel receives three doorstep visits. Several conditions shape what happens to a specific package:
- Attempts are discretionary. UPS reserves the right to make fewer attempts than three.
- Delivery days are defined by the US guidance. Regular UPS delivery days are weekdays and, in select areas, weekends, excluding UPS holidays.
- The shipment decides the options. Service level, signature requirements, delivery location, and the tracking record all determine which actions are available.
The support page is general. It cannot tell you whether your parcel has a further attempt scheduled, so the tracking record for that shipment is the authoritative source.
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Your options while the package is still with UPS
Each option depends on what the tracking record shows for your parcel. The table below lists the conditions the US guidance states for each.
| Option | When it applies | What to check | Stated limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Another attempt at your address | Tracking shows a planned further attempt | Status and any listed delivery date | Discretionary; UPS may make fewer than three attempts |
| Access Point pickup | UPS redirects the package to an Access Point | Status reads “Awaiting Customer Pickup”; location and opening hours | Held seven calendar days (US guidance) |
| Delivery change or management | Tracking lists an eligible change for the shipment | Options shown for that specific shipment | Options vary with redirection and delivery requirements; not every parcel qualifies |
| Release on a future attempt by notice signature | US shipments only | Whether the package requires an adult 21+ signature | Allowed only when the package does not require an adult 21+ signature |
| Return to sender | After the final attempt, or after the Access Point hold ends without pickup | Return processing status | Stated outcome for undeliverable packages in US guidance |
What to do as soon as a notice appears
- Find the UPS Delivery Notice and note any box or instruction the driver selected.
- Track the parcel using the Delivery Notice number or the original tracking number.
- Read the status and the actions listed for that shipment. The tracking page shows the location and the options that apply.
- If the status points to an Access Point, do not travel until it reads “Awaiting Customer Pickup,” and confirm the location and hours in the tracking details.
- If the status shows the final attempt or return processing, contact the shipper promptly and ask what happens next.
The UPS support page shows no publication date. Treat its wording as current guidance, and confirm the specifics against your live tracking record before acting.
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Picking up at an Access Point
An Access Point pickup is possible only when tracking shows the package is ready. Before you go, check the following:
- Status: The parcel should read “Awaiting Customer Pickup.”
- Deadline: The US hold period is seven calendar days. After that, the package is returned to the sender.
- Hours: Confirm the location and opening hours in tracking before traveling.
- Identification: Bring qualifying government-issued photo ID.
- Name and address: The last name and full address, including apartment or suite number, should match the parcel label. If they do not match, give the tracking number to the Access Point representative.
- Pickup code: If the shipper gave a pickup code or other instructions for this shipment, follow them.
If the package goes back to the sender
Once a parcel is returned after the final attempt, or after an Access Point hold ends without pickup, do not assume that a pickup or redirect option will still appear. The shipper is the party to contact about what happens next, such as reshipment or a refund. UPS’s guidance does not describe those steps.
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Outside the United States
UPS UK’s guidance also states that UPS may make up to three attempts and returns undeliverable parcels after the final attempt. The delivery-day and signature-age details differ from the US rules, so do not apply the US adult 21+ signature condition to a UK parcel. For any non-US shipment, use that country’s UPS guidance together with the live tracking page.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Common problems and what to do
- Tracking shows no pickup or delivery option. The tracking page lists only the actions available for that shipment. If none appear, contact the shipper to ask what is possible.
- Your name or address does not match the label at the Access Point. Give the tracking number to the representative, as the US guidance directs.
- You cannot collect within seven days. The US hold period is seven calendar days before return to sender, so plan the pickup promptly after the notice.
- You do not have qualifying photo ID. The US guidance names government-issued photo ID. Check with UPS before traveling if you have a question about what else is accepted.
In short, the stated outcome after three missed attempts is return to the sender, and the practical deciding factor is what your tracking record offers in the time before that return.
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