Are you getting a message that says ‘Undeliverable as addressed’ or ‘insufficient address’ on your USPS dashboard? That could mean that you’ll pay more than you imagine. Yes, you heard us right.
In layman’s language, the phrase “insufficient address” appears to be a relatively obscure way of letting you know that there’s something wrong with the address mentioned on the package and that you ought to have checked it twice.
What is the consequence? For starters, your USPS mail will not be delivered to the addressee. Therefore, the package will be returned to the consignor, and you’ll have to send the parcel again to the correct address.
It could be like forgetting to add the street name or the proper zip code. The person who delivers your mail will have difficulties and will dump your package back into the van, then leave the parcel at the storage facility because it doesn’t include the complete information about the recipient.
The shipping process will take double the expected time. In addition, the sender has to send it back out and is required to pay for shipping a second time. The sender will also charge you to cover the cost difference.
The end result is that it will cost more to send the package back than the sender paid for delivery. That is usually the case when the package has traveled for a lengthy distance.
Now the question is, why is this happening? When will you get this message? What happens to the package? How will you get to know?
And finally, how to stop this from happening again and prevent burning your hard-earned cash next time. In this article, we’ve got solutions for any of your concerns.
What Does “Insufficient Address USPS” Mean?
“Insufficient Address” message means that you’ve omitted some vital information that should be on the parcel label or that the address is incorrect or absent. It’s possible to be right in this situation; however, what if it might be due to your package label being damaged on its transport?
However, USPS is good at getting around label problems even if your package includes minimum information, such as the apartment or house number mentioned on it.
What does “Undeliverable as addressed (UAA)” mean?
Undeliverable as Addressed (UAA) messages can frighten anyone – it literally means that the mail did not reach its intended recipient because the address is wrong or inaccessible. Remember, we didn’t mean “missing”.
That usually happens because of ink smudges or unpardonable handwriting. LOL
Here’s a fun fact for you.
Did you know that every year, 19 percent of Americans change their address?
Of these, only 42% of them care to change their address with the USPS. If you don’t do it, UAA is the consequence.
If you’re a USPS client who moved to a different location, and for some reason, USPS hasn’t yet updated your address, then your mail is bound to get returned.
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The mail arrives at the given address and is rejected from there. That could be because the consignee has moved to a new address. The address change wasn’t updated, and the person at the old address does not want to receive mail.
If you’re curious about the fate of mail. They are either forwarded to the alternate address or sent back to the original sender and if the two alternatives aren’t feasible, the mail will be discarded as waste.
How do you make labels long-lasting?
As of now, it’s evident to you how this happens. If you have the wrong address or your writing isn’t up to mark, the USPS worker will be unable to deliver your mail to the correct address.
Hence, you need to follow the steps below.
- Carefully check the address of the receiver.
- Use Printed labels
- Make sure you write clearly using a good font.
- Consignee name
- Apartment number
- Street number
- Area
- State abbreviation
- Zip code
That means the chances of getting a UAA error for your mail will decrease to more than 50%. A simple fix for preventing cost and time.
What about the spoiled label? Here’s the solutions for that…
To prevent the label from getting damaged, you can cover it using transparent tape to prevent it from getting soiled or smudged in the event that the package gets wet or subjected to poor handling. Even so, humid weather can cause the ink to fade on the label for address. Therefore, using transparent tape can stop these problems from happening.
When am I likely to see this message?
It could occur at any time in the delivery process. Still, it usually tends to occur at the final step, as that is the time when the delivery location begins to get narrowed down to a person. The entire information begins to become vital.
If you notice the problem immediately, it indicates crucial information was missing. That is most probably unlikely to happen.
In any of these situations, it will be apparent when you look up your tracking details after the post office has discovered they aren’t able to deliver. So, keep checking your mail status.
For instance, if you’re sending an item to Florida, and you fail to mention the state, chances are it will still be delivered using the other details. In case you miss the important information, such as the apartment number, USPS will have no other option but to return the mail to the consigner.
Until the USPS employee recognizes the address on the mail, which is highly unlikely, there is no chance of sending it to the right location. In this case, it’s only luck.
The gist of the tale is that the product passes the initial few steps of the process, but problems begin to emerge as it gets closer to delivery. That can be very frustrating.
Is there a way to make the package return to the sender?
First, determine the whereabouts of the parcel. To determine where it went. Check your local post office to find your package; if you can find it there, it is your lucky day. Otherwise, contact USPS immediately. There will be a brief delay before returning the parcel.
If you’re thinking, how? The message will show when the postal worker notices that the package will not be retrieved that fast. It could take a few days or weeks, but there’s the time to take action.
This can save you the cost and hassle of your package being returned. All you have to do is change the address and send it to the recipient in a new way. That may seem like a daunting task, but it’s worth the risk!
How to verify an individual’s postal address?
To confirm or check the validity of an address within the United States, visit USPS’s website and enter the address in order to obtain the ZIP code in its entirety.
Don’t forget to check the USPS address lookup page by clicking here. With this, you can conduct an instant search using address, city, or state, and even by ZIP Code.
How long will USPS hold insufficient addresses?
If you have moved out and haven’t updated your USPS address, then you’re creating a big hassle for others to mail you. Make sure you notify USPS of the new location.
If you fail to pick up your mail, a notice of parcel undelivered is sent to the consignor of the parcel, and within a short time, the final notice is delivered directly to the dashboard.
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The parcels are usually kept for a period of fifteen days before being returned to the sender and marked “unclaimed.” But you can make the return earlier.
How to claim an undelivered package?
It is straightforward to submit a request for a search using the official app or by calling 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777) to get a consumer relations representative to make a search request in your name.
You can also schedule an appointment with the nearest USPS post office to file a search inquiry. They’ll be able to assist you in no time.
Conclusion
Mailing a package can be an issue; just think that you’ve sent a parcel by sparing time off from your job, and halfway when it is about to reach the destination, the package starts showing that the mail was returned because of “insufficient address.” the mere thought of it causes us to rage up to the ceiling.
If you’re comfortable with the thought of someone else opening the package and then storing it at their warehouse, we have a solution that will simplify your life.
Try to test the service called “Virtual Mailbox” from USPS. It will take care of your packages, scan and keep them in physical storage.
The greatest part is that your packages will be delivered to the virtual mailbox first. After scanning the packages, you’ll receive an email that contains all the details. Following this, you’ll be able to forward the packages to you with ease.
In this way, the following issues would be solved:
You don’t need to care about insufficient address changes anymore.
You don’t need to manage your own storage, transport, and scan packages by yourself.
Address issues are not a problem; even if they occur, simply direct the change to virtual mail.
If you are concerned that your mail will be opened by a third party, then follow the suggestions given above and ease your burden.
I hope this blog post was helpful to you, as our first experience dealing with this issue led us to nearly do this Ph.D. in how mailing works and what simple methods we can employ to cut down on time and energy. Please share this article with your family and friends, and sign up for our newsletter to receive exciting news similar to this one in the coming days…