Ebay shipping label being scanned as counterfeit by the Post Office

[rockinthreadsrecords]

My package is being held due to a counterfeit label.  I printed the label directly though Ebay, so I know that's not the case.  The tracking # shows it's being held due to unpaid postage, but USPS informed me it's actually being held due to being counterfeit and the package isn't going to be delivered or sent back.   I filed a case through USPS and they closed it stating nothing will be done due to counterfeit label.   I called USPS back and they informed me to call Ebay, and Ebay informed me to call the Post Office.  Does anyone know how to resolve this or how you can dispute it.  Thanks.  

[sleepytimexpress]

I will say, the best thing to do until this is fixed is to purchase a label through USPS or fedex/UPS. This will cost substantially more and put sellers in a hard place, but it is the solution to anyone playing the blame game. The problem is there is no end to the amount of people who will keep paying for labels through ebay.

[wastingtime101]

Question for sellers experiencing this like @sleepytimexpress and @secondhandstory :

Are these USPS labels or are they FedEx Ground Economy (Smartpost) labels?

If they are FedEx labels, are you dropping the packages off at USPS or FedEx?

[sleepytimexpress]

Mine are FedEx issued in conjuction with USPS. In each instance, they were scanned and on their way via USPS for multiple days and multiple stops before getting "flagged". There is a USPS tracking number/barcode on these labels along with FedEx tracking/barcodes. They can be dropped at USPS, FedEx Express or FedEx Ground locations and will then be handled by either USPS or FedEx Ground.  Either USPS or FedEx will handle delivery, and sometimes both. This service has been around for years and I've never had this issue until December. There have been previous issues with other sellers with USPS issued labels. Very few people are aware you can drop FedEx Economy packages with USPS.

The reason I do this is another entirely separate issue of FedEx making wild charge adjustments through eBay. I've had items I dimmed and weighed get charged back at over 10 times the actual weight. The charge comes right out of your seller account and cannot be appealed. Shipping through USPS has stopped this from happening, but now there is a very big new issue. If this has happened twice, possibly three times to me now in less than two months, then how many others have had this happen?

I'm literally considering ditching eBay for Etsy as all I sell is used auto parts and vintage items. I'm about done with the lack of consideration and theft.

And yes, I'm pretty upset.

[wastingtime101]

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@sleepytimexpress wrote:

They can be dropped at USPS, FedEx Express or FedEx Ground locations and will then be handled by either USPS or FedEx Ground.

Very few people are aware you can drop FedEx Economy packages with USPS.

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OK so that probably explains it @sleepytimexpress . You can not drop FedEx Ground Economy packages with USPS. It doesn't matter that FedEx transfers to USPS for second leg of delivery some of the time.

This was announced by the carriers last year, effective July 14, 2024 - eBay posted an alert on this forum (link). USPS can and does seize those packages. Reports have been increasing of USPS enforcing this rule. Tracking will say something weird like unpaid postage or counterfeit postage, but the real reason for the seizure is usually FedEx Ground Economy packages being dropped off at USPS when they shouldn't be.

Many USPS locations put up signs reminding people they can't drop off those packages.

[fern*wood]

Glad you figured this one out--that seems like a rather important detail that was left out of this mystery until you asked. 

[carlmarxx]

When you request  a call back ,  ask rep to transfer you to escalations   department   supervisor  . 

[rockinthreadsrecords]

I've just had 2 more this week.  

[wastingtime101]

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@rockinthreadsrecords wrote:

I've just had 2 more this week.  

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Are you dropping those packages at the post office or at FedEx @rockinthreadsrecords ?

[rockinthreadsrecords]

I have dropped some off at the post office, but my 2nd to last counterfeit was dropped off at FedEx, the label has a USPS tracking # as well and that's allowed.  I've been doing this for years without issue until December.   That is no reason to compensate packages for fraud.  According to a USPS rep. I spoke with, Ebay didn't pay proper postage for FedEx Surepost labels and that's why they are scanning as counterfeit.   The one I dropped off at FedEx was passed on to USPS for delivery and that's when they scanned it as counterfeit.

[lee_clay]

IT sounds like we can no longer use Fed Ex/USPS labels. I just had a $78 Ebay order "disappear", after 17 days, and when I looked up the FEDEX/USPS Tracking, the Fedex Tracking says "its on its way",with no updates for the last 13 days, but the USPS tracking says "insufficient postage - this item will not be delivered". There is no indication of how to get my $78 package back, or to file a claim.   I feel CONNED. I want to AT LEAST get my package back.  I used the label to save $5.  Not to lose $78...  

[thearteryfineart]

I just had the same situation with a $1000 item shipped 4/1/25 FedEx SmartPost. Seven weeks later it appears:

Latest Update

The package associated with this tracking number did not have proper postage applied and will not be delivered. You are encouraged to contact the sender/merchant to seek reshipment, refund or other available recourse.

Alert

Unpaid postage, item will not be delivered

Fri, May 16

12:57pm

UNPAID POSTAGE, WILL NOT BE DELIVERED

WASHINGTON, DC 20260

[wastingtime101]

@lee_clay @thearteryfineart 

FedEx Ground Economy (aka SmartPost) packages cannot be dropped off at USPS. The unpaid/counterfeit postage scan is because you paid FedEx, not USPS, so USPS seized the package and there's no way to get it back.

I know that's a bad situation to be in, but once it's done there's no action that can be taken to retrieve that package. You can avoid it in the future by dropping off your package with the correct carrier (FedEx).

Some people post on this forum insisting they dropped off with FedEx, but when I help them through messaging it is frequently revealed they did drop off with USPS. So far I haven't found any examples where someone ran into this package seizure problem after dropping their package with FedEx.

[thearteryfineart]

Thank you for your reply. 

The scenario you propose is very possible, as I live in a large high rise of 550 units and  we have a receiving department that does all the currier interactions on a daily basis, not to mention the labels look similar (have both company names on them!) and the service names keep changing...

However, why would the USPS not just state the truth of what happened? Why would they assume label fraud, seize my package and place my case with:

Kellie Gore

USPS Package Fraud Prevention (PFP) Team

PackageFraudPrevention@usps.gov

And why would they 'steal' my package just because a mistake was made? If I get a letter or bill for Apt. 3008 in my Apt. 3308 mailbox I don't destroy it or hold it hostage.

I just want my package (9261299998825457892420) back...

[wastingtime101]

Because postage was paid to FedEx, not USPS, USPS will often classify it as either "unpaid" postage or "counterfeit" postage.

FedEx handles shipping of most Ground Econ packages end-to-end, typically only passing off to USPS for final leg of delivery if it's a PO Box or military address, but even then it needs to go to FedEx first.

If you ship with this service in the future, either take it to FedEx yourself, or make sure your mailroom is appropriately handling the package - speak with them direct, put a neon post-it over the label saying drop off with FedEx only, or whatever you need to do.

Unfortunately I've never heard of anybody successfully retrieving their package once USPS seizes it. You can try to contact that person from the USPS Fraud team to see if they can help.