N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law § 286

§ 286. Surplus to be paid to owner. Such express company, or person\nengaged in the express business, shall make an entry of the balance of\nthe proceeds of the sale, if any, of each article, goods or thing\ndirected to the same person, as near as can be ascertained, and at any\ntime within five years thereafter, shall refund any surplus so retained\nto the owner of such article, goods or thing, his heirs or assigns, on\nsatisfactory proof of such ownership.\n