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Addressing envelope 101
Start here. This is the short list of things that decide whether a scanner can read your envelope at all, and the mistakes that trip up almost everyone at least once.
- 01The 10 mistakes that get mail returnedThe ten addressing mistakes that cause returned mail, what the USPS scanner does with each one, and the exact fix for all of them.10 min
- 02US address formatThe correct line order for a US address, what goes on each line, and how the format shifts slightly across envelopes, forms, and shipping labels.8 min
Questions people ask
Why did my letter come back with no reason written on it?
Most returns carry a small yellow sticker with a code on it. If there is no sticker, the usual cause is a missing unit number, since the carrier has no way to note which box was wrong.
How long should I wait before assuming a letter is lost?
Give First Class mail ten business days before you treat it as lost. A wrong ZIP can add another week on top of that because the letter travels to the wrong plant first.