USPS Encourages Using ZIP+4 Codes

A ZIP+4 Code is a four-digit code used to identify specific delivery routes within a delivery area. Using these codes can narrow down a delivery address to a handful of addresses and shorten the delivery time by one or two days. The USPS encourages using ZIP+4 codes as it helps streamline and speed up the delivery process. Despite the difficulty of remembering this new system, most people can still read their mail without any trouble.

While delivery addresses do not require ZIP+4 Codes, they are helpful in shortening the process for mail. The postal service also has more information about your recipient's ZIP+4 code, which speeds up the delivery process. These codes also help mail centers improve their efficiency by reducing the amount of processing time in their offices. For example, when a package is being delivered to a home, an address with a ZIP+4 code is much more likely to be received.

The ZIP+4 code is made up of a five-digit ZIP code plus four additional digits. This format identifies a geographic segment within the five-digit delivery area. A segment can be a city block, a group of apartments, or a specific floor of a building. There are many benefits to using this format. These codes also allow mail carriers to use different addressing methods to identify each recipient.