Upon receiving a "Registered Mail Pickup Notice" from the post office, recipients must bring the notice, original official identity documentation, and personal seal (or full legal signature if without a seal) to the designated post office branch within 15 days starting from the day following notification; if unclaimed past the deadline, the mail item is returned to the sender. Parcels, express items, and cash-on-delivery mail are all legally classified as registered mail under Mail Processing Rules, sharing the identical claim deadline of "15 days starting from the day after notice". Family members or friends may claim items on your behalf, provided they present an authorization letter or your personal seal, alongside their own original identity document.
Notice: Fraud rings have recently circulated counterfeit pickup notices bearing mobile numbers to solicit callbacks and harvest personal data. Official Chunghwa Post notices explicitly identify recipient, sender, and registered tracking barcode, list only official landline numbers for postal branches, and are never enclosed in separate envelopes. Administrative rules remain subject to the latest announcements by Chunghwa Post; for questions, contact Chunghwa Post customer service at 0800-700-365 (or 04-2354-2030 from mobile phones).
Claim Deadlines: 15 Days Starting the Day After Notice
Chunghwa Post FAQs state that when domestic registered mail fails delivery at an address after 2 attempts, the post office issues a mail pickup notice directing the recipient to collect the item at a designated postal branch or designated station. The statutory basis is Article 50 of the Mail Processing Rules enacted by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications: undeliverable registered mail or mail notified for pickup is sent to designated postal branches for holding, with a claim period of 15 days starting the day after notification, returning to sender if unclaimed upon expiration.
| Mail Category | Claim or Retention Period | Overdue Handling | Regulatory Basis |
|---|
| Domestic Registered Mail | 15 days starting from the day after notice | Returned to sender | Mail Processing Rules Article 50; Chunghwa Post FAQs |
| Parcels, Express, Cash on Delivery | Article 28 classifies these as registered mail, applying Article 50's 15-day limit (Chunghwa Post FAQs focus on registered letters; compiled here per rules) | Returned to sender | Mail Processing Rules Articles 28 and 50 |
| Registered Mail to Post Office Boxes | 15 days; box renters may apply in writing to extend up to 2 months | — | Chunghwa Post FAQs (PO Boxes) |
| Poste Restante (Sender designated branch pickup, not notice) | Domestic mail 15 days from day after arrival, extendable in writing to 1 month; express 5 days (extendable in writing to 1 month); international mail 2 months | Storage fees assessed daily beyond 15 days; handled as undeliverable mail if unclaimed past deadline | Chunghwa Post FAQs (Poste Restante) |
Sample calculation: if the notice date on the slip is November 3, November 4 is day 1, and day 15 is November 18. The date and designated branch name printed on the slip determine your legal window; taking a photo of the slip upon receipt prevents forgetting.
What to Bring When Claiming in Person
- Surrender the original Registered Mail Pickup Notice slip.
- Present original official identification and stamp your personal seal; if without a seal, you may sign your full legal name (for dual Chinese and Romanized registered names, sign either one).
- Acceptable identity documentation: National Identification Card, passport or Alien Resident Certificate (ARC), motor vehicle (scooter) driver license, National Health Insurance (NHI) card, student ID card, or other government-issued photo ID bearing name and address. If your ID is lost, consult How to Replace a Lost National ID Card.
- Name discrepancy due to legal name change: present household registry book (戶口名簿) or transcript showing legal name change, alongside identity document.
- Counter staff may record your ID number; if concerned about personal data privacy, ask the counter clerk to replace the last 4 digits with asterisks (*), or request supervisor verification sign-off without recording.
Proxy Claiming: Required Documents Across Three Scenarios
| Scenario | Required Documentation |
|---|
| Authorizing an agent for standard registered mail | Pickup notice + recipient's written authorization letter or personal seal + agent's original ID document; agent signs or seals |
| Cohabiting family member claiming | Document proving cohabitation (e.g. household registry book) + agent's original ID document; sign or seal noting relationship |
| Claiming declared value or insured mail | Pickup notice + recipient's written authorization letter (specifically letter, not merely seal) + agent's original ID document |
| International registered mail for addressee personal receipt only | Proxy claiming is strictly prohibited |
The table above summarizes Chunghwa Post FAQs on registered mail claiming. Standard proxy authorization templates can be downloaded from the Chunghwa Post download portal. Practical advice: state the registered tracking number clearly on authorization forms, signed and sealed by recipient; call the landline number on the slip before visiting.
Unable to Visit: Redirection to Other Branches, Addresses, or iBox
- Redirection to other branches or addresses: Apply in writing or by phone per item with the holding post office to redirect registered mail to another branch for pickup, or redeliver to another specified address. Chunghwa Post provides an "Application Form for Redirection of Held Registered Mail" (marked updated April 22, Year 114 / 2025).
- Redirection restrictions: Credit card mail redirection requires written application; non-recipients must fax photo ID for verification; covers marked "do not redirect" are ineligible; administrative or judicial litigation documents in official service escrow cannot be redirected.
- Redirection to iBox (i郵箱): Mail redirected to automated lockers must be picked up within 3 days. If mobile number is on cover, apply via phone, writing, or fax; if no mobile is written, recipient must submit written/fax application form specifying mobile number.
- Mail ineligible for iBox redirection: Oversized items, damaged packaging, force majeure events, declared value/insured/cash-on-delivery mail, mail requiring other payments, registered mail with return receipt (or proof of service), irreplaceable original documents, envelopes barring redirection, or tender documents.
- Online applications: Chunghwa Post datasets on the National Open Data Platform link online redirection applications to the "Postal Web Service System", requiring login shared with EZPost accounts. Check screen prompts during actual use.
Consequences of Unclaimed Overdue Mail
- Mail remaining unclaimed past the 15-day window is returned to sender under Article 50 of the Mail Processing Rules. Recovering contents typically requires contacting the sender for re-dispatch.
- Undeliverable mail that cannot be returned to sender is posted for public notice at the dispatch branch for 1 month; if unclaimed, it becomes "undeliverable dead mail" under Article 58.
- Dead mail is unsealed by designated post offices; if sender addresses are found, it is returned; if unfound, items of no commercial value are destroyed 1 month after query deadlines expire, while valuable items are sold at auction after 3 years from deposit under Article 59.
- Delivered parcels, letters with signs of tampering, and declared value or insured mail cannot be returned via postal channels under Article 57; contact senders directly for returns.
Attested legal letters (存證信函) are also registered mail subject to claim and return rules; senders should review our guide on How to Send Attested Letters via Post Office.
How to Identify Counterfeit Pickup Notices
Chunghwa Post Anti-Fraud Portal outlines 5 distinct characteristics of genuine Registered Mail Pickup Notices:
- Notices clearly print recipient name and address, as well as sender entity name and registered tracking barcode.
- All registered mail tracking numbers appear with single-segment standard barcodes.
- Notices display the official title and landline phone number of delivery units and branches; carriers never leave personal mobile phone numbers.
- Notices indicate official delivery notification date and the 6-digit postal carrier employee ID number.
- Chunghwa Post pickup notices are never delivered inside separate outer envelopes.
When uncertain, look up official branch phone numbers on the Chunghwa Post website or call customer service at 0800-700-365; never call mobile numbers printed on suspicious slips. For common delivery phishing tactics, review How to Spot Scam SMS and Suspicious Calls.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days is the registered mail pickup deadline?
15 days starting from the day following notification (Mail Processing Rules Article 50). Parcels and express mail follow the same 15-day limit under Article 28. Unclaimed mail is returned to the sender.
Can family members pick up registered mail on my behalf?
Yes. For standard mail, agents bring the pickup notice, recipient authorization letter or seal, and the agent's original ID document; cohabiting family can prove relationship with a household registry book. Insured items require a written authorization letter; international personal-receipt mail bars proxy claims.
Can I claim my mail if I forget my personal seal?
When claiming in person, you may sign your full legal name in place of stamping a personal seal, but you must present original official identification documents.
Can I still retrieve mail after the pickup deadline has passed?
Unclaimed mail past the deadline is returned to the sender; postal FAQs make no provision for overdue branch pickups. Contact the sender directly to arrange re-mailing; for court or government notices, follow instructions from the issuing agency.
Is a pickup notice genuine if it only lists a mobile phone number?
According to Chunghwa Post anti-fraud notices, genuine slips only provide official branch landlines, carriers never list personal mobile numbers, and slips are never mailed in separate envelopes. Slips listing only mobile numbers are likely scams.
Last updated: 2026-11-01
This article is compiled from public information by SOSfix editors for general guidance; consult Chunghwa Post customer service line 0800-700-365 or the holding branch on your notice for individual cases.
Sources and References
- Laws and Regulations Database: Mail Processing Rules (Amended May 27, Year 111 / 2022, verified 2026-11-01): Article 28 parcels/express/COD as registered mail, Article 48 recipients, Article 50 15-day claim and return, Article 57 return restrictions, Article 58 and 59 dead mail procedures.
- Chunghwa Post: FAQ "What Is Registered Mail Pickup?" (Page review 102/01/01, verified 2026-11-01): 2 delivery attempts trigger notice, 15-day collection window with notice, ID, and seal.
- Chunghwa Post: FAQ "Registered Mail Claiming Procedures" (Page review 102/01/01, verified 2026-11-01): In-person claiming, proxy claims, cohabiting family, insured mail, personal delivery, redirections, ID recording, name changes, ID list, iBox lockers.
- Chunghwa Post: FAQ "Poste Restante Important Notices" (Verified 2026-11-01): 15-day window, 1-month extension, express 5 days (1-month extension), international 2 months, overdue holding fees.
- Chunghwa Post: FAQ Search "Pickup PO Box Mail Deadlines" (Verified 2026-11-01): PO box registered letters extended from 15 days to 2 months.
- Chunghwa Post: Download Forms (Redirection updated 114/04/22, Authorization updated 114/06/18, verified 2026-11-01): Redirection and proxy authorization templates.
- National Open Data Platform: Registered Mail Redirection Application (Verified 2026-11-01): Online application via Postal Web Service System.
- Chunghwa Post: Anti-Fraud Portal "Fake Registered Mail Pickup Notices" (Verified 2026-11-01): Counterfeit slip tactics, 5 genuine characteristics, customer service contacts.
