How long is mail forwarded for free

The United States Postal Service (USPS) offers a free mail forwarding service for a limited time, typically up to 12 months, for individuals who are moving or have a temporary address. This service is designed to help individuals receive their mail and packages while they are away from their permanent address.

Here are the general guidelines for USPS mail forwarding:

  1. Initial Forwarding Period: The USPS will forward your mail for up to 12 months from the date you submit your change of address form.
  2. Automatic Renewal: If you don't cancel your forwarding service, it will automatically renew for an additional 12 months.
  3. Maximum Forwarding Period: The USPS will forward your mail for a maximum of 24 months (2 years) from the date you submit your change of address form.
  4. Fees: After the initial 12-month period, you will be charged a fee for each package or piece of mail forwarded. The fee is currently $0.65 per package or piece of mail.
  5. Cancellation: You can cancel your mail forwarding service at any time by submitting a new change of address form or contacting the USPS.

It's important to note that the USPS may not forward all types of mail, including:

If you need to forward mail for a longer period or have specific requirements, you may want to consider using a private mail forwarding service, which can offer more flexible and customized solutions.