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United States – Postal Service

Postal Service in the United States

The United States Postal Service (USPS) is an independent agency of the federal government responsible for the delivery of mail and packages throughout the country. In addition to USPS, there are also other major service providers such as UPS, FedEx, and DHL that operate in the United States.

Speed and Reliability

The speed and reliability of the postal service in the United States vary depending on the service level chosen by the customer. USPS offers various service levels for domestic and international mail, including first-class mail, priority mail, and express mail. The delivery times for these services range from one to three business days for priority and express mail to three to five business days for first-class mail. UPS, FedEx, and DHL also offer a range of delivery options with varying delivery times and costs.

In general, the postal service in the United States is considered to be reliable, but there have been occasional issues with delays and lost mail. However, USPS offers tracking and insurance options for customers who want to ensure the safe and timely delivery of their mail and packages.

Additional Services

Post offices in the United States offer a range of additional services, including passport applications, money orders, and postal boxes. Customers can also purchase stamps, shipping supplies, and various mailing services such as certified mail and return receipt.

Delivery to Every Home

USPS delivers to every home and business address in the United States, including rural and remote areas. However, there may be some exceptions for addresses that are difficult to access or require special delivery arrangements. In such cases, USPS may request the recipient to collect the item from the nearest post office or arrange for alternative delivery.

Writing an Address in the United States

To ensure proper delivery, it is essential to write the recipient’s address correctly using the specific format provided. The address should be written in the following order:


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  • Recipient’s name
  • Street address or PO Box number
  • City, state, and ZIP code

For example:

John Smith
123 Main St
Anytown, CA 12345

Note that the ZIP code should be in five-digit format and placed after the state abbreviation.

Postcode Lookup

To look up ZIP codes in the United States, customers can use various online resources such as the USPS website or third-party websites. The USPS website provides a ZIP code lookup tool that allows customers to search for ZIP codes by entering the street address, city, and state. Customers can select the correct address from the list of suggestions and click the search button to retrieve the ZIP code.

Alternatively, customers can use third-party websites such as ZIP-Codes.com or AddressDoctor to search for ZIP codes. These websites allow customers to search for ZIP codes by entering the street address, city, and state and provide additional features such as address validation and correction.

The postal service in the United States is provided by USPS, an independent agency of the federal government, as well as other major service providers such as UPS, FedEx, and DHL. The speed and reliability of the postal service in the United States vary depending on the service level chosen by the customer, but USPS offers a range of options with varying delivery times and costs. Post offices in the United States offer a range of additional services, including passport applications, money orders, and postal boxes. USPS delivers to every home and business address in the United States, with the recipient needing to collect the item from the nearest post office or arrange for alternative delivery in some cases. To ensure proper delivery, customers must write the recipient’s address correctly using the specific format provided, including the ZIP code. Finally, customers can look up ZIP codes in the United States using various online resources, such as the USPS website or third-party websites.