HONOLULU, HI — The U.S. Postal Service announced today that on May 5 it will be sending out more than 18,000 customized address notification letters containing the complete and correct mailing addresses for each non-PO Box Guam customer.

The customized information in each of the 18,000+ letters will enable Guam customers to ensure that the mailing addresses they are using are the complete and correct addresses, as provided by the Guam Department of Public Works, that are in the USPS computer database. Letters will not be sent to Guam PO Box customers because their addresses are already in the computer database.

The letters explain to customers that the high-speed, computerized machines that sort their mail automatically reject mail with addresses that are not in the USPS database. Customers’ use of their correct addresses will help to ensure consistently prompt and accurate mail delivery to their locations.

According to USPS, correct addressing is more important now than ever, as it transitions to the increased use of high-speed, automated sorting processes. The efforts made today to correct addresses will ensure that USPS is able to properly deliver customers’ letters and packages in the future.

Recent adjustments to USPS’s operational procedures in Guam resulted in the return to sender of some Guam customers’ incorrectly addressed letter-class mail. Not every customer was affected; 92 percent of Guam mail is properly addressed and was delivered without any problem. The customers who experienced problems were those whose mail was incorrectly addressed.

USPS’s long-term goal is to create the most effective and efficient delivery system possible for its Guam customers. To that end, over the next few months Guam postal officials will refocus their efforts on assisting affected customers’ transitions to the use of correct addresses. During this time frame the Guam Post Office will make every effort to deliver mail to its customers.

At the end of summer USPS will assess the state of this issue and make a determination as to whether any further steps should be taken. Any further steps will be preceded by a notification to all affected customers. 

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