ORIGINAL DATA

How long is lost property kept? Published holding periods

How long is lost property kept? It depends on who holds it, so this page lists the holding periods that named airports, transport operators, universities, stadiums and other public places publish on their own websites, and the laws we have read that set a period.

Every row links to the page we read and quotes the words that support it. A rule we could not check on the publisher’s own page is left out, so the table is a sample of published rules, not every operator.

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By Armaan Wadhwa and Pooja

Updated 10 November 2026

The short answer

Across the 101 published rules in this table, from 9 countries, the median standard holding period is 30 days, and half of the rules fall between 18 days and 60 days. The largest sectors have these medians: universities and colleges 30 days, airports 30 days and public transport 30 days.

Reviewed 10 November 2026. Next review due 8 February 2027.

Standard holding period by sector, in days
Sector	Rules	Median	Middle half	Shortest to longest
Airports	18	30 days	30 days to 90 days	7 days to 395 days
Public transport	17	30 days	14 days to 36 days	7 days to 90 days
Universities and colleges	30	30 days	30 days to 90 days	7 days to 90 days
Stadiums and arenas	13	30 days	14 days to 38 days	7 days to 90 days
Theatres, clubs and concert venues	5	30 days	29 days to 90 days	28 days to 90 days
Convention and event centres	3	30 days	14 days to 30 days	14 days to 30 days
Museums, zoos and national parks	3	30 days	30 days to 60 days	30 days to 60 days
Theme parks	3	7 days	2 days to 21 days	2 days to 21 days
Ski resorts	3	30 days	14 days to 30 days	14 days to 30 days
Hospitals	2	23 days	15 days to 30 days	15 days to 30 days
Shops, gyms and car rental	4	23 days	11 days to 45 days	7 days to 60 days
All operators	101	30 days	18 days to 60 days	2 days to 395 days

Median standard holding period by sector (days). The table above gives the same numbers.

Airports30
Public transport30
Universities and colleges30
Stadiums and arenas30
Theatres, clubs and concert venues30
Convention and event centres30
Museums, zoos and national parks30
Theme parks7
Ski resorts30
Hospitals23
Shops, gyms and car rental23

Download the data (CSV) Every row below and every law, with the source address, the quoted words and the date we opened the page.

Every published rule in the table

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Showing 101 of 101 rules.

Operator	Sector	Country and region	Standard period	As published	Afterwards	Source and the words that support it
Heathrow Airport	Airports	London, United Kingdom	90 days	3 months from the date found or handed in	Not stated	Heathrow Airport The words on its page We store all lost property items for three months from the date it was found or handed in.All lost property at Heathrow is managed by Smarte Carte UK Ltd. Opened 10 November 2026
London Luton Airport	Airports	Bedfordshire, United Kingdom	90 days	Up to 3 months	Not stated	London Luton Airport The words on its page We keep all found items for up to three months. Opened 10 November 2026
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport	Airports	Washington, United States	30 days	At least 30 days	Not stated	Port of Seattle The words on its page Items turned into Lost and Found are held for a minimum of 30 days.I left my item(s) on my flight, who should I contact? Please fill out and lost item report with your airline Opened 10 November 2026
Colorado Springs Airport	Airports	Colorado, United States	7 days	7 to 10 days at the airport police office	Taken to the city police evidence unit	City of Colorado Springs The words on its page Items turned into the CSPD Airport Unit Office are held for 7-10 days, after which the items are taken to the CSPD Evidence UnitPlease Note, TSA is only required to hold items for 30 days and only hold items left at the TSA Security Checkpoint. Opened 10 November 2026
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport	Airports	Kentucky, United States	30 days	No longer than 30 days	Treated as abandoned, then discarded or reallocated	Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport The words on its page All unclaimed items will be held in the office no longer than 30 days; these items are to be considered abandoned and will be discarded and reallocated as appropriate. Opened 10 November 2026
Salt Lake City International Airport	Airports	Utah, United States	30 days	Claim by the 30th day; public notice before disposal	Disposed of, auctioned or donated after public notice	Salt Lake City International Airport The words on its page items will be disposed of, auctioned, or donated unless a proper claim is made by the owner on or before the 30 th day of possession by the airport. Opened 10 November 2026
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport	Airports	Louisiana, United States	60 days	60 days; ID cards mailed after 7 days; bank cards destroyed after 24 hours	Not stated	Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport The words on its page Items that have been turned in to Lost and Found are kept for 60 days.Credit or debit cards will be destroyed after 24 hours.ID's and/or Driver's Licenses will be mailed to the address on the ID after 7 days. Opened 10 November 2026
Philadelphia International Airport	Airports	Pennsylvania, United States	395 days	30 days in the lost and found room, then 1 year in central supply	Donated or auctioned after the year	Philadelphia International Airport The words on its page Items are kept in the Lost and Found inventory room for 30 days.Central Supply and Services holds Lost and Found items for one year.After a year, items are donated or auctioned. From the airport's own newsroom story, not a policy page; the story carries no date.Opened 10 November 2026
Charlotte Douglas International Airport	Airports	North Carolina, United States	30 days	30 days; tablets and laptops longer	Donated to Goodwill	Charlotte Douglas International Airport The words on its page Items are held for 30 days.Those not claimed are donated to Goodwill, except for iPads, Laptops, and Kindles, which are held longer to allow more time to find their owners. From the airport's own news story, not a policy page; the story carries no date.Opened 10 November 2026
Halifax Stanfield International Airport	Airports	Nova Scotia, Canada	30 days	Up to 30 days from the date turned in	Not stated	Halifax Stanfield International Airport The words on its page All found items are held for a maximum of 30 days from the date they are turned in. Opened 10 November 2026
Toronto Pearson International Airport	Airports	Ontario, Canada	30 days	30 days from the date turned in	Not stated	Toronto Pearson International Airport The words on its page All found items are kept for 30 days from the date they are turned in.We do not hold any of the following items: passports Opened 10 November 2026
Canberra Airport	Airports	Australian Capital Territory, Australia	28 days	4 weeks	Disposed of securely	Canberra Airport The words on its page Canberra Airport generally keeps found items for a period of 4 weeks.All items which are unclaimed or uncollected after 4 weeks will be disposed of securely. Opened 10 November 2026
Gold Coast Airport	Airports	Queensland, Australia	30 days	30 days	Donated to partner charities	Gold Coast Airport The words on its page Gold Coast Airport partners with Baby Give Back and Friends with Dignity to donate unclaimed lost property after 30 days. Opened 10 November 2026
Frankfurt Airport	Airports	Hesse, Germany	90 days	3 months	Auctioned or disposed of	Fraport The words on its page The found items are kept for 3 months and then auctioned or disposed of. Opened 10 November 2026
Owen Roberts International Airport	Airports	Cayman Islands	7 days	Clothing and most items 7 days; electronics and jewellery up to 30 days	Discarded	Cayman Islands Airports Authority The words on its page High value items, such as electronics and jewelry, will be held for a maximum of 30 days.All other items to include clothing will be discarded after seven (7) days. Opened 10 November 2026
Queenstown Airport	Airports	Otago, New Zealand	7 days	Lower-value items 7 days; higher-value items 90 days	May be donated to local charities	Queenstown Airport The words on its page Lower-value items, such as water bottles, neck pillows, and clothing, are retained for 7 days, while higher-value items, including headphones, keys, branded clothing, and branded sunglasses, are held for 90 days.Unclaimed items may be donated to local charities in our region. Opened 10 November 2026
Christchurch Airport	Airports	Canterbury, New Zealand	90 days	Keys, wallets, phones, clothing and similar items 90 days; food, drinks, cables and bank cards within 48 hours	Not stated	Christchurch Airport The words on its page These items are kept for 90 days:These items will be disposed of within 48 hours Opened 10 November 2026
Wellington Airport	Airports	Wellington, New Zealand	30 days	30 days; technology items 3 months	Disposed of or donated to charity where possible	Wellington Airport The words on its page Those items not disposed of immediately are kept for 30 days .Found items unclaimed for the duration of the 30 days since their found date will be disposed of or where possible, donated to charity.Technology items are kept for a period of three calendar months before being disposed of via secure technology recycling process. Opened 10 November 2026
Transport for London	Public transport	London, United Kingdom	90 days	Up to 3 months	Becomes the property of TfL; personal data securely destroyed	Transport for London The words on its page We store found items for a maximum of 3 months.Items which remain unclaimed after 3 months from the date of loss become the property of TfL.We remove and securely destroy any personal data.It can take up to 15 days to review your enquiry. Opened 10 November 2026
First Bus	Public transport	United Kingdom	30 days	A month in most cases	Not stated	First Bus The words on its page In most cases, we will keep any lost property for a month to give you time to claim it.We aim to log lost items as soon as possible, but this can take up to 2 working days. Opened 10 November 2026
Regional Transportation District (Denver)	Public transport	Colorado, United States	7 days	At least 7 days	Destroyed or donated to charity	Regional Transportation District (Denver) The words on its page Items are retained for at least seven days prior to being destroyed or donated to charity. Opened 10 November 2026
Imperial Valley Transit	Public transport	California, United States	30 days	Most items 30 days	Donated to local charity	Imperial Valley Transit The words on its page Most items found will be kept for 30 days.If unclaimed, items will be donated to local charity.Persons claiming lost property must present proper identification and sign for returned items. Opened 10 November 2026
Sound Transit (Link light rail)	Public transport	Washington, United States	30 days	30 days, held by King County Metro	Not stated	Sound Transit (Link light rail) The words on its page King County Metro will hold your lost and found items for 30 days at the King Street Center Opened 10 November 2026
San Joaquin Regional Transit District	Public transport	California, United States	10 days	10 days; ID documents, medicine and cash 30 days	Not stated	San Joaquin Regional Transit District The words on its page All items turned in to Lost & Found are kept for a period of 10 days.All personally identifiable information (PII), prescription medicine, and currency will be held for 30 days. Opened 10 November 2026
Toronto Transit Commission	Public transport	Ontario, Canada	30 days	Most items 30 days; bicycles 15 days	Not stated	Toronto Transit Commission The words on its page Most items are held for 30 days (effective January 1, 2025) except for bicycles which are only held for 15 days.Canadian passports are immediately sent to Passport Canada as required by Passport Canada. Opened 10 November 2026
Central Fraser Valley Transit (BC Transit)	Public transport	British Columbia, Canada	14 days	Up to 14 days	Donated to a local charitable organization	BC Transit The words on its page Central Fraser Valley Transit keeps lost and found items for up to 14 days.After that, unclaimed items are donated to a local charitable organization. Opened 10 November 2026
Mount Waddington Regional Transit (BC Transit)	Public transport	British Columbia, Canada	14 days	Up to 14 days	Donated to a local charitable organization	BC Transit The words on its page Mount Waddington Regional Transit keeps lost and found items for up to 14 days.After that, unclaimed items are donated to a local charitable organization. Opened 10 November 2026
Victoria Regional Transit (BC Transit)	Public transport	British Columbia, Canada	14 days	Up to 14 days	Donated to a local charitable organization	BC Transit The words on its page Victoria Regional Transit keeps lost and found items for up to 14 days .After that, unclaimed items are donated to a local charitable organization. Opened 10 November 2026
Yarra Trams	Public transport	Victoria, Australia	60 days	60 days	Donated to a charity	Yarra Trams The words on its page Items are held for a period of 60 days, after which they are then donated to a charity. Opened 10 November 2026
Metro Trains Melbourne	Public transport	Victoria, Australia	60 days	60 days	Items of potential value donated to charities	Metro Trains Melbourne The words on its page Metro holds items for 60 days, giving owners time to reclaim them, but if they are still there after that timeframe and have some potential value, they get donated to charities including the Red Cross and the Salvation Army. From Metro Trains Melbourne's own article of 8 April 2023, not a policy page.Opened 10 November 2026
Transport for NSW (Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink)	Public transport	New South Wales, Australia	28 days	Disposed of after 28 days: 7 days at the station, then valuables 21 more days at Central	Disposed of	Transport for NSW The words on its page Unclaimed items are disposed of after 28 days.staff will keep it for 7 days .Valuable items are kept there for an extra 21 days . Opened 10 November 2026
Transperth	Public transport	Western Australia, Australia	30 days	30 days	Disposed of	Transperth The words on its page We hold lost items for 30 days, after which they are disposed of.you must bring photo identification to collect your item, such as a driver's license, so we can ensure it is returned to its rightful owner. Opened 10 November 2026
Metlink	Public transport	Wellington, New Zealand	7 days	7 days	Depending on the item, forwarded to the police	Greater Wellington Regional Council The words on its page Lost property is held for 7 days, then depending on the item, forwarded to the Police, unless someone has called up to claim the item before picking it up. Opened 10 November 2026
BVG (Berlin transport)	Public transport	Berlin, Germany	42 days	Up to 6 weeks	Destroyed or put up for auction	Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe The words on its page Lost items are stored for a maximum of 6 weeks in the BVG lost and found.After this period has expired, the items are either destroyed or put up for auction. Opened 10 November 2026
ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways)	Public transport	Austria	14 days	14 days; documents and ID cards handed over after 3 days	Handed to the municipal authority	ÖBB-Infrastruktur The words on its page All found objects with the exception of documents and identity cards (handed over to the magistrate or the municipality after only three days) are kept in the Lost & Found offices for 14 days.These are also handed over to the responsible municipal authority or municipality. Opened 10 November 2026
St. Mary's University (Texas)	Universities and colleges	Texas, United States	90 days	90 days	Auction, charitable donation, disposal or sale	St. Mary's University (Texas) The words on its page All property turned in to the University Police Department lost and found will be held for 90 days prior to disposal.Any item left unclaimed for more than 90 days may be disposed of; either by auction, charitable donation, waste receptacle or sale, as decided by the Chief of Police or designee.Credit or Debit Cards not claimed at the University Police Department office within 90 days will be disposed of by rendering the card unusable/ cut or shred, and such action will be documented and recorded by card number, issuing entity and card holders name. Opened 10 November 2026
University of California, Irvine	Universities and colleges	California, United States	90 days	90 days	Disposition or public auction	UCI Police Department The words on its page Items are kept for 90 days before disposition or held for auction through PropertyRoom.com , a public siteProperty will not be released without a valid government or UCI identification card. Opened 10 November 2026
University of California, Los Angeles	Universities and colleges	California, United States	90 days	90 days	Auctioned or discarded	UCLA Police Department The words on its page found items are held at the Police Department or at an officially designated satellite center for 90 days, after which time UCPD disposes of them.Unclaimed items may be auctioned or discarded. Opened 10 November 2026
California State University, Los Angeles	Universities and colleges	California, United States	90 days	90 days	Disposed of, donated or sold	California State University, Los Angeles The words on its page Found items are held for 90-days at which time they are disposed of, donated to a charitable organization, or sold during the Lost and Found Sale. Opened 10 November 2026
Cal Poly Humboldt	Universities and colleges	California, United States	90 days	3 months	Sold through an online auction	Cal Poly Humboldt The words on its page All found property is held for three (3) months.Unclaimed items will be sold via an ongoing on-line auction at www.propertyroom.com Opened 10 November 2026
California State University, Chico	Universities and colleges	California, United States	30 days	Up to 30 days	Donated to local charities	California State University, Chico The words on its page the University Police Department cannot store items longer than 30 days from the day received.After this period of time, items are donated to local charities. Opened 10 November 2026
Texas Tech University	Universities and colleges	Texas, United States	30 days	Items under $500: 30 days; $500 or more: 90 days	Not stated	Texas Tech Police Department The words on its page unclaimed items clearly valued less than $500 will be held for 30 days.If the item has a fair market value of $500 or more (high value), a notice will be posted on this page, and the item will be held for 90 days. Opened 10 November 2026
Northern Michigan University	Universities and colleges	Michigan, United States	90 days	Lost and found property 90 days; abandoned property 30 days	Not stated	Northern Michigan University The words on its page Property for which there is no readily apparent owner (lost and found property) will be held for 90 days prior to disposal.Abandoned property will be held for 30 days prior to disposal. Opened 10 November 2026
Lower Columbia College	Universities and colleges	Washington, United States	30 days	At least 30 days; usable items reviewed after 40 days	Converted to college use or donated	Lower Columbia College The words on its page Found property in custody of Safety & Security will be held for at least 30 days for the owner to claim.Usable Items - If, after 40 days, the item remains unclaimed by either the owner or finder, usable items, such as calculators, umbrellas, clothing, briefcases, tools, and books, will be either converted to College use or donated to a charitable organization. Opened 10 November 2026
University of Colorado Boulder	Universities and colleges	Colorado, United States	30 days	Items of value 30 days from impoundment	Not stated	CU Boulder Police Department The words on its page Unclaimed items of value will be held by the police department for 30 days from the date of impoundment. Opened 10 November 2026
University of Nebraska-Lincoln	Universities and colleges	Nebraska, United States	30 days	30 days	May be disposed of under statutory guidelines	University of Nebraska-Lincoln Police The words on its page Items meeting these criteria are logged and held for 30 days while attempts are made to locate the owner; unclaimed property after that time may be disposed of according to statutory guidelines. From the university's own news article of 13 March 2026.Opened 10 November 2026
University of Missouri	Universities and colleges	Missouri, United States	60 days	At least 60 days	May be sold at public auction	University of Missouri The words on its page After an item has been held for a period of a least 60 (Sixty) Days, and is unclaimed the University may sell the property at a public auction, in accordance with Missouri Revised Statute 447.040. Opened 10 November 2026
Boise State University	Universities and colleges	Idaho, United States	30 days	Miscellaneous items 30 days at Central Lost and Found	Donated	Boise State University The words on its page Lost and Found Property will be retained by the collection site for no more than one (1) week before it is transferred to Central Lost and Found at the Information Desk.Miscellaneous Items 30 days Donate Opened 10 November 2026
Montana State University	Universities and colleges	Montana, United States	30 days	Clothing, bottles and most items at least 30 days; bank cards 7 days	Donated or destroyed by item type	Montana State University The words on its page Clothing 30 days DonateCredit Cards* 7 days Destroy Opened 10 November 2026
Western New Mexico University	Universities and colleges	New Mexico, United States	30 days	Up to 30 days	Donated to charity or disposed of	Western New Mexico University The words on its page All found items will be securely stored in the Campus Police Office for a maximum period of 30 days.LOW-VALUE ITEMS: Items of low value (e.g., clothing, water bottles, umbrellas) will be donated to charity or disposed of after 30 days if unclaimed. Opened 10 November 2026
Rocky Vista University	Universities and colleges	Colorado, United States	90 days	90 days	Donated, recycled or destroyed	Rocky Vista University The words on its page The Department of Campus Safety and Security (CSS) will receive and collect lost and found items and store them in the property room until claimed by the owner or for a period of 90 days.After 90 days, any unclaimed property will be donated, recycled, or destroyed. Opened 10 November 2026
Toronto Metropolitan University	Universities and colleges	Ontario, Canada	30 days	30 days; ID and bank cards destroyed after 24 hours	Donated	Toronto Metropolitan University The words on its page After 30 days remaining items will subsequently be considered expired, and donated.Any personal/identifiable items (i.e. IDs, Credit Cards, Bank Cards, etc) will be securely destroyed and disposed after 24 hours. Opened 10 November 2026
Conestoga College	Universities and colleges	Ontario, Canada	30 days	30 days	Not stated	Conestoga College The words on its page Turned-in items are stored for 30 days and tracked in a database. Opened 10 November 2026
Simon Fraser University	Universities and colleges	British Columbia, Canada	14 days	Up to 14 days	Donated to charity	Simon Fraser University The words on its page Campus Public Safety keep items up to 14 days.Unclaimed items are donated to charity. Opened 10 November 2026
University of Victoria	Universities and colleges	British Columbia, Canada	30 days	30 days	Donated, recycled or otherwise disposed of	University of Victoria The words on its page If we've held a lost and found item for over 30 days without it being claimed, we'll donate, recycle or otherwise dispose of it. Opened 10 November 2026
Capilano University	Universities and colleges	British Columbia, Canada	30 days	One month; ID and passports 30 days, then returned to the issuer	Donated	Capilano University The words on its page After one month, all unclaimed found items are donated to Big Brothers , with the following exceptions:Credit cards and bank cards are destroyed after 24 hours.IDs, passports and other government-issued papers are kept for the 30 days then returned to the appropriate government institutions. Opened 10 November 2026
MacEwan University	Universities and colleges	Alberta, Canada	15 days	Little or no value up to 15 days; valuables up to 30 days	Not stated	MacEwan University The words on its page Items with little or no monetary value will be held for up to 15 days .Valuable items, such as wallets, cash, passports, laptops and similar property, will be held for up to 30 days . Opened 10 November 2026
University of Manitoba	Universities and colleges	Manitoba, Canada	60 days	60 days	Released to the finder, recycled or destroyed	University of Manitoba The words on its page All found property turned into Security Services is fully documented and held for 60 days.After 60 days, Security Services will release unclaimed items to the finder or have them recycled or destroyed. Opened 10 November 2026
Northeastern University London	Universities and colleges	London, United Kingdom	90 days	3 months; items with personal information 1 month	Arranged by the university; passports and licences returned to the issuer	Northeastern University London The words on its page Lost property that does not contain personal identifiable information is kept on campus for 3 months.Any items containing personal identifiable information will be stored for one month.Lost UK passports will be returned to His Majesty's Passport Office.Lost UK Driver's licences will be returned to the DVLA. Opened 10 November 2026
University of the West of England	Universities and colleges	Bristol, United Kingdom	42 days	6 weeks; sport centre items 2 weeks	Recycled or disposed of	University of the West of England The words on its page For all other items, we reserve the right to recycle or dispose of unclaimed property after a period of six weeks.For hygiene reasons, items lost at the Centre for Sport will be recycled or disposed of after a period of two weeks. Opened 10 November 2026
Loughborough University	Universities and colleges	Leicestershire, United Kingdom	7 days	Non-electronic items 1 week; electronics 1 month	Given to charity or disposed of	Loughborough University The words on its page Non-electronical Items: 1 week Electronical (e.g. laptops and mobile telephones): 1 monthUnclaimed items are given to charity or are disposed of. Opened 10 November 2026
University of Warwick Library	Universities and colleges	Warwickshire, United Kingdom	7 days	Low-value items 1 week; high-value items and cash 2 weeks	Donated to local charities	University of Warwick Library The words on its page High value items & cash: held for 2 weeks Personal data items: actioned within 48 hours, if unclaimed Low value items: held for 1 week Other Opened 10 November 2026
University of Chichester	Universities and colleges	West Sussex, United Kingdom	30 days	General lost property 1 month	Recycled, given to charity or disposed of	University of Chichester The words on its page General lost property 1 month Item is recycled/given to charity/disposed of Opened 10 November 2026
UNSW Sydney	Universities and colleges	New South Wales, Australia	30 days	One month at the security office	Included in the annual sale run by Arc	UNSW Sydney The words on its page Lost property found on and off campus is held at Security Operations Office Gate 2 for a period of one (1) month.Any items that remain unclaimed will be included in the annual sale coordinated and managed by Arc.Please help us return lost property by writing your name and student number on books, notes, folders and other items whenever possible. Opened 10 November 2026
University of Queensland (St Lucia)	Universities and colleges	Queensland, Australia	60 days	At least 2 months	Not stated	University of Queensland (St Lucia) The words on its page All other items are held for at least 2 months. Opened 10 November 2026
M&T Bank Stadium	Stadiums and arenas	Maryland, United States	30 days	Phones, clothing, bags and jewellery 30 days	Clothing and bags donated; phones disposed of	Baltimore Ravens The words on its page Phones – Held for 30 days before disposal.Clothing, Bags, Blankets & Jewelry – Held for 30 days before donationItems found inside wallets are disposed of after 30 days for privacy and safety. Opened 10 November 2026
Highmark Stadium	Stadiums and arenas	New York, United States	7 days	Clothing and bags 7 days; phones 30 days	Donated	Buffalo Bills The words on its page Clothing, Bags, Blankets, Glasses & Jewelry – Held for 7 days before donation to Hearts for the Homeless in Buffalo, NY.Phones – Held for 30 days before donation. Opened 10 November 2026
Washington Commanders stadium	Stadiums and arenas	Maryland, United States	30 days	30 days	Disposed of or donated to a charity	Washington Commanders The words on its page Items turned into Lost and Found will be held for 30 days before being disposed of or donated to an appropriate charitable organization. Opened 10 November 2026
GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium	Stadiums and arenas	Missouri, United States	30 days	30 days	Not stated	GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium The words on its page Unclaimed items are kept for 30 days. Opened 10 November 2026
Lumen Field	Stadiums and arenas	Washington, United States	30 days	30 days	Not stated	Lumen Field The words on its page Lost items are only held for 30 days. Opened 10 November 2026
Shell Energy Stadium	Stadiums and arenas	Texas, United States	30 days	30 days	Disposed of or donated to charity	Houston Dynamo FC The words on its page Lost and found items are stored in a secure location for thirty (30) days.After this 30-day period, all unclaimed items will either be disposed of or donated to charity.All perishable items will be discarded at the end of the day.Any individual claiming to be the rightful owner of a lost item needs to provide a reasonable description of the item, present a valid photo identification card, and sign a receipt/the lost and found register before such item is returned to them. Opened 10 November 2026
Xcel Energy Center	Stadiums and arenas	Minnesota, United States	7 days	7 days from the date turned in	Discarded or donated	Minnesota Wild The words on its page Unclaimed items will be discarded/donated 7 days after the date the item is turned in. Opened 10 November 2026
Huntington Center (Toledo)	Stadiums and arenas	Ohio, United States	14 days	Clothing, bags and jewellery 14 days; phones and tablets 60 days	Donated to local charities	Huntington Center (Toledo) The words on its page Glasses, Clothing, Bags, Blankets, Jewelry & Misc Items – Held for 14 days before donation to local charities.Phones, iPads, Tablets – Held for 60 days before donation. Opened 10 November 2026
REAL District (Regina)	Stadiums and arenas	Saskatchewan, Canada	45 days	45 days from the date turned in	Not stated	REAL District (Regina) The words on its page Found Items are held for 45 days from the date they are turned in. Opened 10 November 2026
London Stadium	Stadiums and arenas	London, United Kingdom	14 days	Two weeks	Discarded	London Stadium The words on its page Any found items will be kept for two weeks, before being discarded.If you are no longer at the venue, please email our customer services team Opened 10 November 2026
Utilita Arena Sheffield	Stadiums and arenas	South Yorkshire, United Kingdom	30 days	1 month	Donated to local charities	Utilita Arena Sheffield The words on its page Lost property is held at the Arena for 1 month after which time is then donated to local charities. Opened 10 November 2026
Solihull Moors FC	Stadiums and arenas	West Midlands, United Kingdom	90 days	3 months	Disposed of	Solihull Moors FC The words on its page Property that is left on the premises will be kept for a period of three months, after which it will be displosed of. Opened 10 November 2026
Kardinia Park (GMHBA Stadium)	Stadiums and arenas	Victoria, Australia	60 days	60 days, including items left in the cloakroom	Donated to charity	Kardinia Park Stadium Trust The words on its page unclaimed lost property, and any items left behind in cloaking, will be stored for 60 days.After this time we will donate items to charity. Opened 10 November 2026
Hollywood Bowl	Theatres, clubs and concert venues	California, United States	30 days	30 days	Not stated	Los Angeles Philharmonic Association The words on its page Do you believe you left something behind at the Bowl? Unclaimed items are held for 30 days. Opened 10 November 2026
Theatre Royal Wakefield	Theatres, clubs and concert venues	West Yorkshire, United Kingdom	90 days	3 months	Disposed of	Theatre Royal Wakefield The words on its page Property that is left on the premises will be kept for a period of three months, after which it will be disposed of.In order for property to be reclaimed, a detailed description of the item(s) and/or proof of ID (identity), and date that the item was left will be required. Opened 10 November 2026
fabric London	Theatres, clubs and concert venues	London, United Kingdom	28 days	4 weeks	Disposed of	fabric London The words on its page We only hold onto items for 4 weeks.After this time the items will be disposed of. Opened 10 November 2026
Viva Blackpool	Theatres, clubs and concert venues	Lancashire, United Kingdom	90 days	Up to 3 months (12 weeks)	Clothing donated to a local charity shop	Viva Blackpool The words on its page Items will be stored for a maximum of 3 months (12 weeks).CLOTHING – Stored for 12 week period – then donated to local charity shop Opened 10 November 2026
Pavilion Theatre (Dún Laoghaire)	Theatres, clubs and concert venues	Ireland	30 days	One month	Given to charity	Pavilion Theatre (Dún Laoghaire) The words on its page Please note that found items are kept for one month only, after which time they are given to charity. Opened 10 November 2026
Signature Boston (Boston convention centres)	Convention and event centres	Massachusetts, United States	14 days	No obvious value 14 days; up to $250 60 days; over $250 1 year	Purged from the property inventory	Massachusetts Convention Center Authority The words on its page Found items that go unclaimed with no obvious monetary or sentimental value will be held for 14 days.Property of an estimated value up to $250.00 with no obvious sentimental value will be held for 60 days.Properties of an estimated value of over $250.00, or with obvious sentimental value, will be kept for 1 year. Opened 10 November 2026
America's Center (St. Louis)	Convention and event centres	Missouri, United States	30 days	Phones, clothing and bags 30 days	Donated	Explore St. Louis The words on its page Phones – Held for 30 days before donation.Clothing, Bags, Blankets, Jewelry & Misc Items – Held for 30 days before donation Opened 10 November 2026
Boise Centre	Convention and event centres	Idaho, United States	30 days	30 days	Disposed of at Boise Centre's discretion	Boise Centre The words on its page All lost and found items are cataloged and stored for 30 days.After that period, all items are disposed of at the sole discretion of Boise Centre. Opened 10 November 2026
Cincinnati Museum Center	Museums, zoos and national parks	Ohio, United States	60 days	General items 60 days; jewellery and electronics up to 1 year	Donated to a local charity	Cincinnati Museum Center The words on its page General lost items will be held for 60 days before they are donated to a local charity.Jewelry, electronic devices and items of significant value will be held for up to 1 year before being donated to a local charity. Opened 10 November 2026
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks	Museums, zoos and national parks	California, United States	30 days	At least 30 days under National Park Service policy	Not stated	National Park Service The words on its page per National Park Service policy, lost and found property must be held for a period of 30 days . Opened 10 November 2026
Taronga Zoo Sydney	Museums, zoos and national parks	New South Wales, Australia	30 days	Up to 30 days	Donated to charity organisations	Taronga Conservation Society Australia The words on its page All items are stored for up to 30 days and if unclaimed are donated to a number of charity organisations Opened 10 November 2026
Worlds of Fun	Theme parks	Missouri, United States	2 days	Within 48 hours	Disposed of or donated to charity; phones wiped by a charity	Six Flags The words on its page All unclaimed items are disposed of or donated to charity within 48 hours. Opened 10 November 2026
Adventure Island (Southend)	Theme parks	Essex, United Kingdom	7 days	7 days	Donated to a charity	Adventure Island (Southend) The words on its page Once lost items are handed in, they will be kept in a secure location for 7 days.If the item is not collected it will be donated to a charity of Adventure Island's choosing. Opened 10 November 2026
Paultons Park	Theme parks	Hampshire, United Kingdom	21 days	Unclaimed and unreported items 3 weeks; reported items held 1 month	Donated, recycled or disposed of	Paultons Park The words on its page Unclaimed and unreported items are held for 3 weeks.We will hold your found item for 1 month only. Opened 10 November 2026
Sundance Mountain Resort	Ski resorts	Utah, United States	30 days	Up to 30 days, in line with Utah law as the resort states	Not stated	Sundance Mountain Resort The words on its page In accordance with Utah State Law, Sundance Mountain Resort will hold found items for a maximum of 30 days. Opened 10 November 2026
Winter Park Resort	Ski resorts	Colorado, United States	30 days	Soft goods 30 days; hard goods 90 days; valuables 1 year	Donated when possible	Winter Park Resort The words on its page Soft Goods (gloves, hats, clothing): 30 Days Hard Goods (skis, snowboards, boots): 90 Days Valuables (wallets, jewelry, phones): 1 year Opened 10 November 2026
Lake Louise Ski Resort	Ski resorts	Alberta, Canada	14 days	Equipment and lesser-value items 2 to 3 weeks; valuables 30 days	Valuables surrendered to the RCMP; other items donated	Lake Louise Ski Resort The words on its page Ski and snowboard equipment, as well as items of lesser value, are kept for 2-3 weeks.Valuable items such as wallets, phones, keys, IDs, credit cards, and cameras/GoPros are kept at the resort for 30 days.After this time, these items are surrendered to the RCMP. Opened 10 November 2026
Providence Seaside Hospital	Hospitals	Oregon, United States	30 days	30 days	Not stated	Providence The words on its page Unclaimed articles are turned in to our Security Services department where they are kept for 30 days. Opened 10 November 2026
Hartford Hospital	Hospitals	Connecticut, United States	15 days	Unidentified patient belongings 15 days	Destroyed or donated	Hartford HealthCare The words on its page Unidentified patient belongings will be stored with Guest Services/Lost & Found for a period of 15 days and then either destroyed or donated. Opened 10 November 2026
South.Point (Canberra)	Shops, gyms and car rental	Australian Capital Territory, Australia	30 days	30 days	Not stated	South.Point (Canberra) The words on its page All items that are handed in are documented and held by Centre Management for a period of 30 days. Opened 10 November 2026
Europcar UK	Shops, gyms and car rental	United Kingdom	60 days	2 months at the rental location	Not stated	Europcar UK The words on its page All lost property is securely stored at the rental location where it was found for 2 months . Opened 10 November 2026
The Gym Group	Shops, gyms and car rental	United Kingdom	7 days	Up to a week	Not stated	The Gym Group The words on its page we will do our best to hold on to any items found for up to a week to give you time to collect them. Opened 10 November 2026
YMCA of Central Kentucky	Shops, gyms and car rental	Kentucky, United States	15 days	Low-value items 15 days; valuables at least 60 days	Treated as abandoned	YMCA of Central Kentucky The words on its page Items found that do not pose a health risk and have minimum monetary value will be retained for 15 days .Valuables of higher value will be stored for at least 60 days . Opened 10 November 2026

Laws that set a period

Information, not legal advice. Each row quotes the law as published on the date shown; read the whole section, which has conditions this table does not repeat.

Law	Where	Period	Applies to	Afterwards	The text and its source
Florida Statutes, section 705.185	Florida, United States	30 days after it is found, or longer if the operator chooses	Theme parks and entertainment complexes, zoos, museums, aquariums, restaurants and hotels that elect to follow the section	May not be sold; disposed of or donated to a 501(c)(3) charitable institution	The Florida Senate705.185 Disposal of personal property lost or abandoned on the premises of certain facilities.any lost or abandoned property must be delivered to such owner or operator, who must take charge of the property and make a record of the date such property was found.If the property is not claimed by its owner within 30 days after it is found, or a longer period of time as may be deemed appropriate by the owner or operator of the premises, the owner or operator of the premises may not sell and must dispose of the property or donate it to a charitable institution that is exempt from federal income tax under s. 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue CodeOpened 10 November 2026
Revised Code of Washington, RCW 63.21.020	Washington, United States	60 days after the find is reported	Finders who report found property to the police or a designated entity	The owner's claim ends; the finder may claim it	Washington State Legislature(1) If the owner satisfactorily establishes, within sixty days after the find was reported to the appropriate officer or, if so designated under RCW 63.21.090 , the appropriate entity, the owner's right to possession of the property;Opened 10 November 2026
Revised Code of Washington, RCW 63.21.050(1)(e)	Washington, United States	Police keep property worth over one hundred dollars for 60 days	Police and designated entities that receive found property worth more than one hundred dollars	The finder may claim it; unclaimed property is handled under the unclaimed property chapters	Washington State Legislature(e) If the property exceeds one hundred dollars adjusted for inflation under subsection (2) of this section in value and has been requested to be surrendered to the governmental entity, retain the property for sixty days before it can be claimed by the finder under this chapter, unless the owner has recovered the property;Opened 10 November 2026
Iowa Code, section 556F.11	Iowa, United States	1 year (12 months) after the notice of the find is published and posted	Finders of lost property in Iowa, who take it or its description to the sheriff or police within five days	The right to the property vests in the finder	Iowa LegislatureIf the owner is unknown, the finder shall, within five days after finding the property, take the money, bank notes, and a description of any other property to the county sheriff of the county or the chief of police of the city in which the property was foundIf no person appears to claim and prove ownership to said goods, money, bank notes, or other things within twelve months of the date when proof of said publication and posting isfiled in the office of the county auditor, the right to such property shall irrevocably vest in said finder.Opened 10 November 2026
Lag (1938:121) om hittegods, 4 §	Sweden	3 months from the report to the police	Found property reported to the Swedish Police Authority	The property passes to the finder	Sveriges riksdag4 § Om ägaren till hittegods inte blir känd inom tre månader från det att fyndet anmäldes till Polismyndigheten, tillfaller godset upphittaren.Our translation: If the owner of found property does not become known within three months of the find being reported to the Police Authority, the property passes to the finder.Opened 10 November 2026
Löytötavaralaki 778/1988 (Finland), 5 § and 8 §	Finland	At most 2 weeks, then to the police (schools and sports halls up to 6 months)	Items found in public transport, stations, business premises, offices, workplaces, schools, hospitals, theatres and sports halls without their own lost property office	Handed to the police	Finlex (Ministry of Justice, Finland)Löytötavara, joka otetaan talteen julkisen liikenteen kulkuneuvossa tai rautatie- tai linja-autoasemalla taikka muulla vastaavalla liikennepaikalla taikka liikehuoneistossa, virastossa, toimistossa, työpaikalla, oppilaitoksessa, sairaalassa, teatterissa, urheiluhallissa tai vastaavassa huoneistossa, on luovutettava asianomaisen laitoksen henkilökunnalle tai sen löytötavaratoimistolleJos omistaja ei nouda löytötavaraa 5 §:ssä tarkoitetusta laitoksesta eikä laitoksella ole löytötavaratoimistoa, laitoksen on viimeistään kahden viikon kuluttua talteen ottamisesta toimitettava muu kuin vähäarvoinen löytötavara poliisille.Kouluista ja muista oppilaitoksista sekä urheiluhalleista löydettyjä esineitä, jotka ilmeisesti kuuluvat näissä laitoksissa säännöllisesti käyville henkilöille, voidaan säilyttää asianomaisissa laitoksissa 1 momentissa säädettyä aikaa kauemmin, kuitenkin enintään kuusi kuukautta niiden talteenotosta.Our translation: Property found in a public transport vehicle, at a railway or bus station or other similar transport place, or in business premises, a public agency, an office, a workplace, a school, a hospital, a theatre, a sports hall or similar premises must be handed to the staff of that institution or its lost property office. If the owner does not collect it and the institution has no lost property office, the institution must hand anything other than low-value items to the police at the latest two weeks after taking it in. Items found in schools and sports halls that evidently belong to regular users may be kept longer, but at most six months.Opened 10 November 2026
Löytötavaralaki 778/1988 (Finland), 15 §	Finland	3 months from delivery to the police or a lost property office	Items found in the institutions listed in section 5	Ownership passes to the state or to the lost property office that kept it	Finlex (Ministry of Justice, Finland)Jos omistaja ei nouda laitoslöytöä tai 10 §:n 3 momentissa tarkoitettua löytötavaraa kolmen kuukauden kuluessa niiden toimittamisesta poliisille tai löytötavaratoimistoon, niiden omistusoikeus siirtyy valtiolle tai löytötavaraa säilyttäneen löytötavaratoimiston pitäjälle.Our translation: If the owner does not collect an institution find within three months of its delivery to the police or a lost property office, ownership passes to the state or to the keeper of the lost property office that held it.Opened 10 November 2026
Burgerlijk Wetboek Boek 5 (Netherlands), artikel 5:6	Netherlands	1 year after the report; non-valuable items deposited with the municipality 3 months	Finders who report a find; the occupier or operator of the place takes over when the finder hands the item to them (artikel 5:7)	The finder becomes owner; for non-valuable items the mayor may sell, give away or destroy them	Overheid.nl (Government of the Netherlands)1 De vinder die aan de hem in artikel 5 lid 1 gestelde eisen heeft voldaan, verkrijgt de eigendom van de zaak één jaar na de in artikel 5 lid 1 onder a bedoelde aangifte of mededeling, mits de zaak zich op dat tijdstip nog bevindt in de macht van de vinder of van de gemeente.dan is lid 1 niet van toepassing en is de burgemeester drie maanden na de inbewaringgeving bevoegd de zaak voor rekening van de gemeente te verkopen of haar om niet aan een derde over te dragen of te vernietigen.De vinder kan, door de zaak onverwijld af te geven aan de bewoner van de woning of de gebruiker of exploitant van de ruimte waar de vondst is gedaan, dan wel aan degene die daar voor hem toezicht houdt, zijn rechtspositie met alle daaraan verbonden verplichtingen doen overgaan op die bewoner, gebruiker of exploitant met dien verstande dat geen recht op beloning bestaat.Our translation: A finder who has met the requirements of article 5(1) becomes owner one year after the report or notice, provided the item is still in the hands of the finder or the municipality. For non-valuable items deposited with the municipality, the mayor may sell the item, give it away or destroy it three months after deposit. A finder may, by handing the item without delay to the occupier, user or operator of the place where it was found, transfer their position and its obligations to that person, with no right to a reward.Opened 10 November 2026
Código Civil (Spain), artículo 615	Spain	2 years from the second publication of the find	Anyone who finds a movable item whose owner is unknown	The item or its value is awarded to the finder	Agencia Estatal Boletín Oficial del EstadoEl que encontrare una cosa mueble, que no sea tesoro, debe restituirla a su anterior poseedor.Si éste no fuere conocido, deberá consignarla inmediatamente en poder del Alcalde del pueblo donde se hubiese verificado el hallazgo.Pasados dos años, a contar desde el día de la segunda publicación, sin haberse presentado el dueño, se adjudicará la cosa encontrada o su valor al que la hubiese hallado.Our translation: Whoever finds a movable item that is not treasure must return it to its previous possessor. If that person is not known, the finder must deposit it at once with the mayor of the place where it was found. Two years after the second publication, if the owner has not come forward, the item or its value is awarded to the finder.Opened 10 November 2026

What the table shows, and what it does not

Each row is a rule an operator publishes for the public. The standard period is the one the page gives for ordinary items it keeps. Where a page gives different periods by value or by type, the standard period is the shortest one for ordinary items, and the row lists the others as published.

Cash, bank cards, identity documents, phones and food often follow separate rules. The row notes them where the page states them.

A published rule is what an operator says it does. We did not test whether each operator follows its rule, and a site may set a different period for a particular item. If you lost something, ask the operator for the deadline that applies to your item.

How we collected this

We searched for the lost property pages of airports, public transport operators, universities and colleges, stadiums and arenas, theatres and clubs, convention centres, museums, zoos, national parks, theme parks, ski resorts, hospitals, shopping centres, gyms and car rental companies in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the Cayman Islands.

We opened every page ourselves, saved its text and kept a row only when the page states a period in its own words. We left out pages that refused automated access or answered with an error, rules published only by someone other than the operator, and news coverage by anyone other than the operator. A few rows come from an operator’s own news story rather than a policy page; those rows say so.

We found no hotel group that publishes its own holding period on a page we could read, so the table has no hotel group. A few resorts publish theirs and appear under ski resorts.

For sorting and for the summary, a week counts as 7 days, a month as 30 days and a year as 365 days, and a range such as 7 to 10 days counts as its shorter end. A sector’s median is its middle value, and its middle half runs from the median of its shorter half to the median of its longer half. Sectors with only a few rows say little on their own: read the rows.

How we keep it true

Every week vFound re-opens each source page and looks for the quoted words. A page that no longer carries them is reported to us, and we correct or remove the row. A page that turns the check away is reported as not checked, never as passed.

The whole table is reviewed every quarter, and the dates of the last review and the next one are shown with the summary.

Frequently asked questions

How long do airports keep lost property?+

Each airport sets its own period. The summary above gives the median and the middle half for the airports in the table, and each airport’s row quotes its own page. At some airports, items left at a security checkpoint or on a plane are held by the screening authority or the airline instead.

Is there a law that says how long lost property must be kept?+

In some places there is. The laws table on this page quotes the ones we have read, with a link to each text, and our pages for the United States, Canada and Europe explain them. Where no law applies, the operator’s own policy decides.

Can I download the holding periods data?+

Yes. The CSV download holds every row of the table and every law, with the source address, the quoted words and the date we opened each page, made from the same data file this page shows.

How often is the holding periods table checked?+

Every source page is re-opened each week to look for the quoted words, and the whole table is reviewed every quarter. The review dates are shown with the summary.

What holding period should a lost and found desk choose?+

Start from any law that applies where you are, then choose a period you have room to store and that gives owners time to ask. The free policy generator writes a policy with your own periods, and vFound Lost & Found lists items whose holding period ends within a week so staff can decide what happens next.

Keep every item to the period your site sets

vFound Lost & Found records where each found item is stored and lists the items whose holding period ends within a week, so nothing is kept or cleared by accident.

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