If you got a notification from USPS about a package with an insufficient address, you probably want to know what this means. This can be very confusing and pretty frustrating to deal with as well.
There are all kinds of things that can contribute to your package coming back to you with an insufficient address. This is a common issue, so it is not something to be too worried over.
If this happens to you, there is a simple explanation and most likely a simple solution. So keep reading to find out just what a USPS insufficient address means and what you need to do about it.
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What Does USPS Insufficient Address Mean?
If you get a notification from USPS saying that there is an insufficient address, this is usually due to sender error. This means that there is something wrong with the address details and it is insufficient, making it impossible to deliver.
This can be due to several things missing or being incorrect on the label, such as:
- Wrong zip code
- No name
- No apartment building name
- No house number
- Incorrect street name
- Incoherent address details
These are all things that can make your USPS package undeliverable due to an insufficient address. This can also happen if part of the address is missing or damaged or it is just illegible, making it impossible to read.
Any little error can completely mess up the delivery process and make the package undeliverable. When it comes to the mail, addresses must be exact, otherwise, they won’t get to where they need to go.
Though this can happen due to errors during shipping, such as damaging the label, it is usually due to sender error. You may not have double-checked the address or you had the wrong details.
These are all things that contribute to making your package a package with an insufficient address.
What Do You Do If Your USPS Address is Insufficient?
When a USPS package is deemed to have an insufficient address, it is usually returned to the sender. This is why it is so important to have your address listed on the package as well.
If it is unable to return the package to you, it will either go to your local post office or to the mail recovery center for USPS. If you didn’t get your package within 7 days and it didn’t reach its destination, it may have had an insufficient address.
If this is the case, you can contact your local post office to see if they have the package or can find it for you. You can also submit a search request on USPS through the missing mail application form.
You can also submit this search request in person at your post office or call a consumer affairs representative to have them put in a request. Either way, you want to get a request started to locate your lost package.
If your address as the sender was listed on the package, it should be delivered back to you within 7 days.
What Does USPS Address Incomplete Mean?
Aside from a USPS insufficient address notification, you could also get an address incomplete notification. This is pretty much the same thing as it relates to an address not being correct.
This would occur for all of the same reasons as a package having an insufficient address. Whether that be due to missing information, incorrect information, or damage to the address itself.
This will make that package undeliverable as there is no way for USPS to know the right address. USPS will not deliver a package, if it is not certain of where it needs to go.
This is why it is so important to always double-check an address before adding it to your package. You should also make sure it is easy to read and is written correctly with no mistakes.
Though a return address is not necessary for packages, it is recommended to add this extra detail. This ensures that the package will be returned to you if it cannot be delivered for one reason or another.
If you don’t have a return address listed, you will have to hunt your package down if it were to get lost.
What Happens to Undelivered USPS Packages?
If your package is deemed as being undeliverable due to an insufficient address, there are several things that can happen. The best case scenario is that the package is returned to the sender address on the label.
This is the most common solution as many people add their address to mail when sending this to other people. This is the best way to ensure that your package won’t get lost if something is wrong with the address.
If you didn’t include a return address or it became damaged in the mailing process, it won’t be able to go to you. The next best scenario is if it is able to be sent back to the local post office.
This will happen if it didn’t make it very far away and can be easily returned. If this is the case, you can go and try to pick it up if it is being kept there. If not, your local post office can also help you to find a package if it is lost.
If the package isn’t sent back to you or to the post office, it will go to the USPS mail recovery center in Georgia. This is where mail goes when it has nowhere else to go and cannot be delivered.
You will have to do some digging to find your package if it ends up here, though there are several representatives that can help you to do this.
What Does it Mean When You Get a USPS Insufficient Address Notification?
If your USPS package is found to have an insufficient address, this means that something is wrong with the address. This can be due to an incorrect zip code, wrong street name, misspelled name, or anything else.
Anything wrong with the address can result in an insufficient address. This is because USPS cannot send a p[ackage if it doesn’t know the exact address. It won’t just guess and send it to where it thinks it needs to go.