120 million packages are lost or stolen annually. Learn how to recover up to $2,500 (Amazon), £750 (Royal Mail), or full value through chargebacks. Know your rights across all major carriers.
Find out how much you can claim based on your specific situation across different carriers and protection methods
Enter your parcel details to see estimated compensation from different sources
In 2024, over 120 million packages were lost or stolen in the US alone—a staggering figure that exceeds ALL FBI-reported property crimes combined. The total economic impact reaches $37 billion annually, with $15 billion borne directly by consumers. Despite this massive problem, most people don't know their full rights to compensation.
The good news: You have multiple layers of protection. Whether you're dealing with Amazon's A-to-Z Guarantee (up to $2,500), Royal Mail's Special Delivery coverage (up to £750), or federal consumer protection laws, there are established pathways to recover your money. The key is understanding which route to take and acting within strict time limits.
Consumer protection laws in the UK, EU, and US all establish that the retailer—not the carrier—bears primary responsibility for safe delivery. This means you should always start with the seller, not the shipping company. Under UK Consumer Rights Act 2015, retailers must deliver within 30 days and can be held liable for losses. Similarly, the US FTC's '30-Day Rule' requires sellers to ship on time or offer refunds.
Package theft (known as 'porch piracy') has become epidemic: 31-45% of Americans had packages stolen in 2024, with 75% experiencing multiple thefts. The average stolen package is worth $228. Fortunately, most major retailers including Amazon, Walmart, and Target have policies to replace or refund stolen deliveries, especially when you have photographic proof or tracking evidence.
Different compensation schemes have different eligibility requirements. Most claims succeed when you have proper documentation and act within time limits.
92% of shippers experience at least one loss/damage event per year, but claims with poor documentation are routinely denied. The #1 reason for claim rejection is 'failing to report damage immediately' - you typically must file within 2-7 days of delivery for damage claims.
Essential evidence: (1) Tracking number and delivery confirmation, (2) Photos of damaged packaging from multiple angles, (3) Original receipt or invoice showing value, (4) Correspondence with seller showing attempted resolution, (5) Police report for theft over $500. Keep all original packaging for inspection if required by carrier.
Coverage varies dramatically—from £20 (Royal Mail standard) to full value (chargebacks). Layer your protections for maximum recovery potential.
Amazon A-to-Z (US/CA/UK/EU): Full refund or replacement up to $2,500 per order. 95%+ success rate for FBA orders, 85% for third-party. File after 48h of seller non-response, within 90 days of expected delivery. Best option for Amazon purchases.
Royal Mail: £20 (standard), £50 (tracked), £750 (Special Delivery by 1pm). USPS: $0-$100 included. UPS/FedEx: $100 standard. DHL: ~$11-35/kg weight-based. Must be filed by sender within 30-90 days. Requires proof of posting and value.
Truth in Lending Act protection: Dispute any charge for goods not received. 60-90 day window from transaction date. 75-85% success rate with proper documentation. Visa Reason Code 13.1 'Merchandise Not Received' - full refund of purchase price.
Follow this prioritized approach to maximize your chances of getting compensated
Start here regardless of the issue - this is your fastest and easiest path to resolution
If seller doesn't respond within 48 hours or refuses reasonable remedy
Carriers only accept claims from senders - but you can leverage this
Powerful federal protection - use if seller won't resolve and platform denies
Last resort for stolen packages worth significantly more than your deductible
Missing these deadlines forfeits your rights - act quickly once you discover the problem
Royal Mail claims: 80 days from posting. Chargebacks: 60-90 days from transaction. Online purchases: 14-day cooling-off period to cancel + 30 days for delivery + 6 years to sue for breach. Damage claims: Must report within 2 working days for visible damage.
USPS: 7-60 days to file depending on service (Priority Express: 7 days; Standard: 15 days). UPS: 60 days for domestic, 21 days for international damage. FedEx: 60 days domestic, 21 days international. Chargebacks: 60-120 days depending on card issuer. Amazon A-to-Z: 90 days from delivery date.
Online purchases: 14-day cooling-off period. Delivery: Maximum 30 days unless agreed otherwise. Carrier claims: Typically 30-90 days. Legal action: 2 years minimum under EU Consumer Rights Directive (many countries extend to 3-6 years). DHL: 30 days from shipping date for claims.
Canada Post: 90 days for domestic claims, 9 months for international. Chargebacks: 60-120 days depending on issuer. Amazon.ca A-to-Z: 90 days from expected delivery (extended to Canada May 2024). Provincial consumer protection: Varies by province (2-6 years for breach of contract).
Australia Post: 30 days from delivery date or intended delivery date. Consumer guarantees: No time limit specified but must be 'reasonable time' (courts interpret as months-years depending on value). Chargebacks: 120 days for Visa/Mastercard. Small goods claims: Up to 6 years in most states.
Montreal Convention (air cargo): Damage claims must be made within 21 days of receipt (7 days for delay). Loss claims: Within 120 days from intended delivery date. Liability: 26 SDR per kilogram (~$34/kg) effective December 28, 2024. Applies to 140+ countries for international air freight.
Common questions about lost and damaged parcel compensation
Follow our step-by-step process to maximize your compensation across all available protection methods