USPS Opened Packages?

[Jdarby]

Originally Posted by garysanfran

I was told by someone at a UPS store in San Francisco, that packages from states where cannabis is legal, are being inspected aggressively. He told me that I had sealed my package too well and it creates suspicion that maybe some smelly weed was in there. I told him to open it up and reseal it...He didn't.

Fed Ex, a private carrier, I was told, could care less.

So just to be clear, I’m talking about the United States Postal Service (USPS). You mention UPS but they are also a private company just like FedEx. Again, I understand that the USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc… all have the right to open any package they are transporting. I was just wondering if others have been receiving open packages from the USPS. I have never received a package from UPS, FedEx, or DHL that had been opened. While I mentioned that the most recent package contained candles, they were not aromatic so there was no strong smell. Also, they were in an Amazon package and I’m not sure that Amazon is known for shipping cannabis. Thanks in advance for any intel!


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[garysanfran]

I meant USPS...

Sorry

[TheTimeTraveler]

USPS can NOT open any First Class, Priority, Parcel Post or Express package unless they have some type of indication that it is transporting something illegal by mail (such as illegal drugs, beer, wine, liquor, guns, etc). Under those circumstances they do need a warrant to do so once they isolate the package in question.

The USPS routinely uses "sniffing" machines at processing centers as well as hound dogs (at the airport) to be sure everything is on the up and up.

Now, tons of packages are damaged in transit each year, and the USPS will make every attempt to put them back together and get them on their way to their destination.

If you feel your USPS packages have been deliberately tampered with you should notify your Postmaster and contact the Postal Inspection Service.

No one should routinely receive packages that have been opened. Something is wrong if you are.

[TheProfessor]

Originally Posted by TheTimeTraveler

Now, tons of packages are damaged in transit each year, and the USPS will make every attempt to put them back together and get them on their way to their destination.

All packages are sorted on conveyer belts by machines. Sometimes those conveyer belts get clogged up. And a package/box is damaged.

Yes, under normal circumstances, a damaged in mailing notice is placed on item.

But this is Christmas time. Lot's of part time holiday help. Lots and lots of packages. Some packaged properly while others not. Even if your package was properly wrapped the one behind or in front of your package may not be. Resulting is a crush. Even not at Christmas time - there are a lot more packages because of Covid.

No one wants to know what you are getting from Amazon.

Except maybe your spouse or children. Who may have opened the box to see. And did a lousy job of repacking.

[Kamper]

About mis-deliveries...

When I moved here over 20 years ago, I got mail from all over town in my mailbox. There was more in a month than I had gotten at all of my previous addresses.

Leaving out a lot of details... I suggested to my carrier that she watch her tray. I did not get any more errors until the route was reassigned. The first time I got someone else's mail, I put a warning note for the new driver to watch their tray as well.

There is no way to tell if any of the carriers escalated the situation, but I suspect some jerk thought it was funny to shuffle stuff around. There may be a similar 'bad-attitude dude' in your town.

[Jdarby]

Originally Posted by TheTimeTraveler

USPS can NOT open any First Class, Priority, Parcel Post or Express package unless they have some type of indication that it is transporting something illegal by mail (such as illegal drugs, beer, wine, liquor, guns, etc). Under those circumstances they do need a warrant to do so once they isolate the package in question.

The USPS routinely uses "sniffing" machines at processing centers as well as hound dogs (at the airport) to be sure everything is on the up and up.

Now, tons of packages are damaged in transit each year, and the USPS will make every attempt to put them back together and get them on their way to their destination.

If you feel your USPS packages have been deliberately tampered with you should notify your Postmaster and contact the Postal Inspection Service.

No one should routinely receive packages that have been opened. Something is wrong if you are.

So I found this on a postal website. “4. Can Postal Inspectors open mail if they feel it may contain something illegal?
First-Class letters and parcels are protected against search and seizure under the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution, and, as such, cannot be opened without a search warrant. If there is probable cause to believe the contents of a First-Class letter or parcel violate federal law, Postal Inspectors can obtain a search warrant to open the mail piece. Other classes of mail do not contain private correspondence and therefore may be opened without a warrant.”

None of my opened packages would have been first class mail. My packages were not “damaged” but obviously cut opened and retapped shut. In each instance I was the person who took initial receipt of the package from our parcel box or directly from the mail courier.

I appreciate the responses.

Happy Holidays!


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