What happens to unused postage when you return a meter

Instructions on how postage is returned when a meter is canceled, upgraded or replaced.
Before returning a meter to Pitney Bowes, you must deactivate it. Deactivation involves transferring all postage back to the original postage funding source.

Depending on how you pay for postage, your account may be credited or you may be eligible for a refund when you return equipment to Pitney Bowes. 
 

Postage refund timeframes

When you return a Pitney Bowes meter, any unused postage will be credited to your original funding source. The timeframe for refunds depends on the funding source.

Purchase Power® (Line of Credit)

Pitney Bowes returns the funds to your Purchase Power account within 1-2 business days. If you have a balance due on your account, any funds returned to your account will be deducted from the balance.

Reserve account (Prepaid deposit)

Unused postage is returned to the reserve account immediately.

USPS prepaid account

Unused postage is returned to the USPS prepaid account immediately.

❗ Important: If the unused postage balance is less than $25, review USPS prepaid refunds .

Credit Card

Pitney Bowes returns the funds to the credit card issuer within 3 business days. The issuer may take additional time to post it to your credit card account. 

 Confirm unused postage was credited to the account 

  1. Sign in to the Pitney Bowes Your Account portal. 
  2. Select View and Pay Bills from the  Billing dropdown. 
  3. Select Account Activity from the left navigation bar.
  4. Unused postage credit will show in the Activity type

 Request a refund 

  • If there are multiple meters on the account, transferred postage can be used to fund other meters.
  • Request a refund for unused postage here. Refunds can take up to 15 working days to be processed.

UPDATED: March 25, 2024