Real numbers from this tool, line by line.
A US Shopify store with 12 lost parcels in its order tracking app and only 3 USPS claims filed still has $900.00 unclaimed — and 22 days left before the day-60 filing limit on the oldest parcel. Worked example, made-up store numbers:
| Result | Value |
|---|
| Lost parcels with no claim filed | 9 |
| USPS pays per lost parcel (order value, capped at the insurance) | $100.00 |
| Still unclaimed this month | $900.00 |
| Order value above the insurance, all lost parcels | $336.00 |
| Days left to file for the oldest parcel | 22 |
Inputs: 900 parcels shipped, 12 lost, 3 claims filed, a $128.00 average order, $100.00 insurance, oldest parcel mailed 38 days ago, a 59 USD/month tracking app.
Where the numbers come from
USPS DMM 609.1.4, read on 2026-11-09, sets the window for a lost-parcel claim from the mailing date. For insured mail, including Priority Mail, you file no sooner than 15 days and no later than 60 days. For Priority Mail Express the window opens on day 7 and still closes on day 60. DMM 503 says Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail and USPS Ground Advantage include $100.00 of insurance coverage.
USPS pays the article's actual value when mailed, up to the insurance. As proof of value it accepts a sales receipt, a paid invoice or a bill of sale. So the payout per parcel is the smaller of your order value and the coverage: min($128.00, $100.00) = $100.00. The $28.00 above it ($128.00 − $100.00) never comes back through a claim. Across 12 lost parcels that is $336.00 (12 × $28.00).
Days left for the oldest parcel: 60 − 38 = 22. If it had been mailed 10 days ago, the calculator would show 5 days until USPS accepts the claim and 50 days left.
Why the tracking app does not tell you this
Tracking apps on the Shopify App Store show the parcel as stuck and give you a branded tracking page. AfterShip Essentials costs 11 USD a month and ParcelPanel Professional 59 USD a month (both read 2026-11-09). Neither pricing page says when USPS will accept the claim. Route's 1-star reviews from 2026 keep repeating one complaint: claims for lost packages are hard to get paid.
In the example, the unclaimed $900.00 is 15.25 times a 59 USD monthly app fee ($900.00 ÷ $59.00).
The ship-by clock before tracking starts
The FTC Mail, Internet, or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule (16 CFR 435.2) has its own clock. You must ship within the time you state. If you state no time, you have 30 days after a complete order (50 days if the buyer applies to you for credit). If you cannot make it, you must offer the buyer the choice to accept the delay or cancel for a prompt refund, no later than that time. 16 CFR 1.98(d) lists a civil penalty of up to $53,088 per violation.
What is free and what is paid
Free, in the browser: one month of your store, all ten results, no account. Paid, one payment: the .xlsx with a Claims log of 60 tracking-number rows. Each row computes the first and last filing day, the days left and the capped payout, then marks it FILE NOW, too early or MISSED. A rules tab holds the USPS windows and FTC ship-by times.
Worked rows in the file: EXAMPLE-001, Ground Advantage, mailed 2026-10-02. Its last day is 2026-12-01, it has 22 days left and USPS pays $100.00. EXAMPLE-003, Priority Mail Express, mailed 2026-09-01. Its last day was 2026-10-31 and the row reads MISSED.
Next step
File every lost parcel past day 15 at usps.com/help/claims, oldest first, with the sales receipt as proof of value. Not legal advice.
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