Waiting for a package can turn into a frustrating experience, especially when online tracking shows a prolonged and indefinite stop at a sorting center. If your shipment is stuck at the Bari CMP, the Postal Mechanization Center that handles crucial mail and package flows for Southern Italy and the European market, it’s important to know what steps to take. This logistics hub, a strategic bridge in the heart of the Mediterranean, combines tradition and technological efficiency, but like any major operational node, it is not immune to potential service disruptions. Whether it’s a delay, a loss, or damage, acting promptly and according to the correct procedures is essential to protect your rights.
This guide offers a clear and detailed path to handle any eventuality. We will explain how to interpret the shipment status, who to contact, and which forms to fill out to initiate a formal claim. The goal is to provide you with all the necessary tools to resolve the problem, turning a potentially negative experience into a conscious and proactive management of the service disruption, in line with current regulations and the procedures established by Poste Italiane.
The Strategic Role of the Bari CMP in National and European Logistics
The Postal Mechanization Center (CMP) of Bari is one of Poste Italiane’s most important logistics hubs in Southern Italy. Located in a strategic geographical position at Viale Francesco De Blasio 1, 70132 Bari, it serves as a crossroads for the collection, processing, and sorting of enormous volumes of mail and packages. Its function is not limited to the national territory; the Bari CMP is also an essential gear for shipments to and from the European market, embodying a meeting point between Italian commercial tradition and the modern demands of international logistics. Technological innovation is at the core of its operations, with advanced systems aimed at optimizing times and reducing human error. Despite its high efficiency, such a large volume of transits can occasionally lead to unforeseen issues like delays, losses, or damage, making it necessary for users to know the correct claim procedures.
First of All: Verification and Preliminary Contacts
Before initiating a formal claim, it’s essential to take some preliminary steps. The first step is to carefully monitor the tracking number on the Poste Italiane website to get a clear picture of the situation. If the shipment status appears to have been stuck for several days, a direct contact can often resolve doubts or provide updated information. You can try contacting Poste Italiane’s customer service at 803.160 (toll-free from a landline) or 06.4526.3160 for calls from mobile and fixed networks. For calls from abroad, the reference number is +39 02.82.44.33.99. Although getting a direct line to the Bari CMP can be difficult, the national customer service is the official channel for receiving assistance and information on a shipment’s status. Gathering all information, such as the tracking number and relevant dates, is crucial for effective communication.
How to File an Official Claim with Poste Italiane
If preliminary contacts have not resolved the issue, you must proceed with a formal claim. Poste Italiane offers several ways to submit the report. The quickest and most efficient method is the online procedure, by filling out the specific form for packages and express courier directly on the official website. Alternatively, you can download the claim letter in PDF format, fill it out completely, and send it through various channels. These include Certified Electronic Mail (PEC) to the address reclamiretail@postecert.it, fax to the number 0698686415, a Registered Letter with Acknowledgment of Receipt addressed to P.O. Box 160, 00144 Rome (RM), or direct delivery to any post office. It is crucial to attach all necessary documentation, such as the shipping receipt, to support your case.
Claim for Delivery Delay
A delivery delay is one of the most common service disruptions. If your package is stuck at the Bari CMP beyond the expected delivery times, you can file a claim. According to the Poste Italiane Service Quality Charter, there are specific deadlines for reporting the problem. For domestic shipments, it is advisable to wait a few business days beyond the estimated delivery date. For shipments within Europe, a claim can be filed after ten business days from the shipping date, while for non-European destinations, it starts from the twentieth day. In any case, the claim must be submitted within six months of the shipping date. Accurately describing the problem in the claim form, indicating the tracking number and dates, is essential for a swift handling of the case. Remember that, depending on the type of service purchased, you may be entitled to compensation. If the delay has caused demonstrable financial damage, you can consider an action for damages.
Procedure in Case of a Lost Package
A lost package is one of the most critical situations for a user. If the tracking has not been updated for a long time and contacts with customer service have not provided answers, it is likely that the shipment has been lost. The claim procedure is similar to that for a delay, but it takes on even greater importance. It is crucial to fill out the claim form specifying “non-delivery” and providing a detailed description of the contents and their value. Attaching the shipping receipt is essential. In this case as well, it is important to act within the established deadlines, which are usually six months from the shipping date. Depending on the service chosen (e.g., whether it was insured or not), Poste Italiane provides flat-rate or full refunds. For optimal management, it is useful to consult the specific guide on claims for stuck packages, which offers valid insights for other sorting centers as well.
What to Do if the Package Arrives Damaged
Receiving a damaged package is another unpleasant event. If you notice at the time of delivery that the packaging is visibly ruined, the best thing to do is to accept the package “with reservation.” This note, added to the delivery receipt, allows you to later check the integrity of the contents and file a claim for damage. If the damage is discovered only after opening, it is still possible to file a claim, although the procedure may be more complex. In the claim, which must be submitted through Poste Italiane’s official channels, it is essential to describe the damage specifically and, if possible, attach photographs showing the condition of the package and its contents. Here too, timeliness is a key factor for a successful outcome.
Response Times and Next Steps
Once the claim is submitted, Poste Italiane is required to provide a response within defined timeframes. For domestic services, the company commits to responding within 45 calendar days from the date of receiving the report. For financial services, the times can extend to 60 days. If the response does not arrive within the expected time or if the outcome is not satisfactory, the citizen has further tools at their disposal. It is possible to initiate a conciliation procedure, an attempt at an out-of-court resolution of the dispute. If this path also fails to lead to a solution, the final step is to turn to the Authority for Communications Guarantees (AGCOM) or, in cases of significant financial damage, to take legal action. For similar issues at other large centers, such as the Bologna CMP, the procedures are analogous, and knowing your rights is always the first step.
In Brief (TL;DR)
If your package is stuck, delayed, lost, or damaged after passing through the Bari CMP, this guide explains how and to whom to send an official claim.
From tracking the package to sending a formal claim via PEC or specific forms, here are all the steps to follow to resolve the issue.
From filling out the claim form to sending a PEC, you’ll discover all the official steps for an effective report.
Conclusions

Dealing with a problem with a shipment handled by the Bari CMP requires a methodical and informed approach. Understanding the role of this important logistics hub, checking the tracking status, and using preliminary contact channels are the fundamental first steps. If the problem persists, filing a formal claim through the online or paper procedures provided by Poste Italiane is a consumer’s right. Whether it’s a delay, loss, or damage, it is crucial to act promptly, fill out the documentation accurately, and keep all receipts. Remember that there are specific timelines for both submitting the claim and for the operator’s response. If the resolution is not satisfactory, tools like conciliation and appealing to AGCOM offer further levels of protection. Knowing these procedures, like those valid for a package stuck at Fiumicino, will allow you to handle the unexpected with greater confidence and competence.
Frequently Asked Questions

If online tracking indicates your package is stuck at the Bari Postal Mechanization Center, the first thing to do is wait a few business days. CMPs handle enormous volumes of shipments, and an apparent halt may simply be due to technical sorting times. If the delay exceeds 5-7 business days beyond the norm, you can contact Poste Italiane’s customer service at 803.160 (from a landline) or 06.4526.3160 (from a mobile network) to ask for information, keeping your tracking number handy.
No, it is not possible for a private user to directly contact the staff of the Bari CMP for information on a specific shipment. Postal Mechanization Centers are logistics hubs closed to the public and do not offer direct assistance. Any request for information or claim must be submitted through the official channels of Poste Italiane: telephone customer support, the online form on the official website, or by going to a post office.
If the package shows external damage at the time of delivery (dents, holes, moisture stains), it is essential to ‘accept the package with reservation’. You must inform the courier and write ‘Accepted with reservation’ on the delivery receipt (or on their electronic device), specifying the reason (e.g., ‘for wet package’, ‘for dented package’). This is a crucial step to be able to file a claim for damage and request a possible refund, as it certifies that the damage was present before your acceptance.
If the package is officially lost or seriously delayed, you can file a formal claim with Poste Italiane. The main methods are: filling out the online form on the Poste Italiane website; sending a PEC (Certified Electronic Mail) to reclamiretail@postecert.it with the claim letter attached; sending a Registered Letter with Acknowledgment of Receipt to ‘P.O. Box 160, 00144 Rome (RM)’; or delivering the claim form directly to a post office. It is essential to always provide the tracking number and all details about the sender and recipient.
Poste Italiane commits to responding to claims related to postal services within a period of 45 calendar days from the date of receiving the report. If the claim is accepted, the method and amount of the refund depend on the type of shipping service purchased (standard, insured, etc.) and the declared value of the item. For insured shipments, the refund will cover the value of the damage or loss up to the maximum limit provided.




Did you find this article helpful? Is there another topic you'd like to see me cover?
Write it in the comments below! I take inspiration directly from your suggestions.