How is mail sorted for delivery

The process of sorting mail for delivery involves several steps and technologies to ensure that mail reaches its intended destination efficiently and accurately. Here's an overview of the mail sorting process:

  1. Mail Collection: Mail is collected from post offices, mailboxes, and businesses, and transported to a mail processing facility.
  2. Sorting Machines: Mail is fed into automated sorting machines, which use optical character readers (OCRs) to read the addresses on the mailpieces. The OCRs recognize the zip codes, cities, and states, and use this information to sort the mail.
  3. Barcode Sorting: Many mailpieces have barcodes that contain the recipient's address information. The sorting machines read these barcodes and use them to sort the mail.
  4. Optical Character Recognition (OCR): The OCR technology reads the addresses on the mailpieces and converts them into a digital format. This information is then used to sort the mail.
  5. Intelligent Mail Barcodes (IMb): The IMb is a barcode that contains the recipient's address information, as well as other data such as the sender's address and the mailpiece's weight. The IMb is used to sort and track mailpieces.
  6. Sorting by Zip Code: Mail is sorted by zip code, with each zip code being assigned a specific sorting machine or area.
  7. Sorting by City and State: Mail is then sorted by city and state, with each city and state being assigned a specific sorting machine or area.
  8. Final Sorting: Mail is sorted by carrier route, which is a specific geographic area assigned to a mail carrier.
  9. Delivery Point Sequencing (DPS): The mail is then sorted in the order that the mail carrier will deliver it, to optimize the delivery route.
  10. Delivery: The sorted mail is then delivered to the mail carrier, who delivers it to the recipient's mailbox or doorstep.

Some of the technologies used in mail sorting include:

  1. Automated Package Processing (APP): APP machines can process and sort packages up to 15 inches long and 12 inches wide.
  2. Flat Sequencing System (FSS): FSS machines can sort and sequence flat mailpieces, such as catalogs and magazines.
  3. Intelligent Mail Processing (IMP): IMP machines can read and sort mailpieces with IMb barcodes.
  4. Optical Character Recognition (OCR): OCR technology is used to read and recognize addresses on mailpieces.
  5. Barcode Scanners: Barcode scanners are used to read and sort mailpieces with barcodes.

Overall, the mail sorting process involves a combination of human and automated processes to ensure that mail is sorted and delivered efficiently and accurately.