USPS removes delivered package from man's mailbox, leaves bill for postage in its place

CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A Cranberry man was shocked when he was told his Amazon Prime package had been delivered to his home, but that his postal carrier had removed it and taken it to the post office, leaving him a bill.

"I checked the mailbox and found an envelope from the U.S. Post Office saying I owe $3.78," said Scott Puhac.

Puhac had received an email from Amazon, saying his package was delivered, but instead of putting it on the front step of his home, the Amazon delivery driver had placed it in the mailbox.

What Puhac didn't know was that's illegal. The U.S. Postal Service's Domestic Mail Manual said it's illegal to put any "mailable matter" into a mailbox without postage. That's why the postal carrier who found it left a bill for the postage in the mailbox.

A statement from the U.S. Postal Service said, "In this case, the letter carrier properly followed existing guidelines governing how to handle such mail matter."

Amazon offered a statement about the situation, saying, "We will continue to work with our carrier partners to ensure the best service experience for customers."

Puhac went to the post office to claim his package, and Amazon reimbursed him the $3.78 he was charged for postage.

Cox Media Group