What should I do if an Etsy international USPS package stops tracking after pickup?

Hi! If an international USPS package stops tracking right after pickup/acceptance, the most common reasons are (1) it missed a scan while moving through a plant, or (2) it’s left the US and won’t show updates again until it’s handed off and scanned in the destination country (this is especially common on some USPS international services). So the best “next step” is to push USPS to open an actual research case (not just wait on passive tracking), while also managing the buyer’s expectations around international handoffs and customs delays.

Here’s what I’d do, in order, to trace/escalate it:

1. Confirm the exact USPS service you used

• The steps USPS can take vary a lot depending on whether it’s Priority Mail International / Priority Mail Express International versus First-Class Package International (or other lower-cost options). Some services have limited tracking and limited inquiry options, even if there’s a tracking number.
• If you bought the label on Etsy, check the label details on the order (service class + acceptance date).

1. Start a “Help Request” / local post office research (separate from Missing Mail)

• A Missing Mail search is typically most useful when something is truly lost and may end up in a recovery facility. If your package is simply “not moving” after acceptance, you usually get faster traction by opening a customer service/help request so your local delivery unit / accepting office can look for missed container scans and dispatch logs.
• Practical tip: ask the accepting post office to verify it was dispatched from their facility and, if possible, what plant it was sent to next.

1. If your service is eligible, open an International Inquiry (this is the real escalation for many international packages)

• For Priority Mail International / Priority Mail Express International / Registered international-type services, USPS generally has an International Inquiry process (online with a USPS.com account or by calling USPS international support).
• When you submit it, have your evidence of mailing and proof of value ready (order receipt/invoice, item cost, etc.). If it becomes claim-eligible later, having clean documentation saves time.

1. Check whether you (or your label provider) must file the claim

• If you purchased postage through Etsy or a third-party postage provider, the “official” claimant can differ. Sometimes the label purchaser/account needs to be the one to open inquiries/claims, so it’s worth checking your label receipt/source and following their process if USPS routes you back.

1. Keep the Etsy order “paper trail” strong

• Make sure the Etsy order is marked shipped, the tracking number is attached, and you’re only discussing it with the buyer through Etsy Messages.
• If you have any pickup confirmation, acceptance scan, or receipt, keep it—this helps if the buyer opens a case.

When to refund (or not) if tracking never resumes:

• Don’t rush to refund just because tracking is quiet for a few days. International packages can go dark during export handoff and customs, then suddenly show up again weeks later.
• Use your Etsy estimated delivery date window as your anchor. If the buyer hasn’t received it and you’re past the latest estimated delivery date, that’s when you should be ready for a resolution (replacement or refund) and for the buyer possibly opening an Etsy “item not received” case.
• If your order qualifies for Etsy Purchase Protection (right service/timing, valid tracking and/or Etsy label, shipped on time, shop in good standing, order value within the coverage limit), it’s often better to avoid refunding prematurely and instead:
  • communicate clearly,
  • keep working the USPS inquiry,
  • and, if it truly doesn’t arrive, let the buyer open a case so Etsy can refund under the program (when eligible) rather than you paying out-of-pocket.
• If the order is not eligible for Etsy Purchase Protection (or it’s high-value), set yourself a firm internal deadline: once you’re comfortably beyond the delivery window and USPS isn’t producing progress, it’s usually better for your shop reputation to refund or replace rather than letting it drag on indefinitely.

If you tell me (1) the USPS service shown on the label (e.g., Priority Mail International vs First-Class Package International), (2) the acceptance date, and (3) the Etsy estimated delivery date range, I can suggest the most realistic escalation path and a reasonable refund/replacement timing for your specific situation.