Have you checked your mailbox lately to see if it still meets the U.S. Postal Service’s requirements? Are you aware that mailboxes must meet certain criteria before mail can be delivered? Now is an ideal time to check on the status of your mailbox.

Just any old mailbox—or facsimile of one—is not acceptable! Although you may think it is “cute” or a product of your creativity, it still must meet the requirements! Here are the major requirements:

Mr. Zip’s Tip: The U.S. Postal Service
delivers about 212 billion pieces of mail a
year. That’s 8,000 pieces of mail per
second.

• Mailboxes must be approved, traditional, contemporary, or locked full/limited service curbside mailboxes.
• A customer may use a custom-built curbside mailbox if the postmaster gives prior approval and the mailbox conforms generally to the same requirements as approved manufactured curbside mailboxes relative to the flag, size, strength, and quality of construction.
• The mailbox must display the house number on the side of single mailboxes or on the door of grouped mailboxes.
• Mailboxes should be installed at a height of 41-45 inches from the road surface to the bottom of the mailbox or point of mail entry.
• Mailboxes are set back 6-8 inches from the front face of the curb or road edge to the mailbox door.
• Customers must place mailboxes on motorized city, rural, and contract delivery service routes so a carrier can safely and conveniently serve them without leaving his or her vehicle.

The Postal Service does not regulate mailbox supports in any way except for purposes of carrier safety and delivery efficiency.

Recently, the Postal Service has noticed that obstructions such as basketball hoops/nets have been installed (or are mobile nets) on driveways that interfere with the safe delivery of the mail. These nets (whether mobile or permanent) are a safety hazard as delivery vehicles may snag the nets, causing damage to the nets or the vehicles. Also, children playing that close to the street and chasing a ball into the street create definite safety concerns.

Customers must also remove obstructions, including vehicles, and trash cans or garbage that impede safe and efficient delivery. Have you checked your area around your mailbox to make sure there are no wasp nests nearby?

Living in Southwest Florida can also be a challenge when it comes to keeping the grass mowed, especially during summer months when the grass grows more quickly. Please help your letter carrier by making sure that the grass around your mailbox is mowed; this will ensure that the letter carrier can detect and avoid critters that might be hanging around the mailbox.

To schedule a presentation for our community, club or group on how the Postal Service brings the Post Office to your home or office computer, call 239-573-9638.

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Please Note: For broadcast quality video and audio, photo stills and other media resources, visit the USPS Newsroom at www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/welcome.htm.

An independent federal agency, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that reaches every address in the nation, 149 million residences, businesses and Post Office Boxes, six days a week. It has 34,000 retail locations and relies on the sale of postage, products and services, not tax dollars, to pay for operating expenses. Named the Most Trusted Government Agency five consecutive years by the Ponemon Institute, the Postal Service has annual revenue of $75 billion and delivers nearly half the world’s mail.