RANDOM LAKE, WI — It seems so simple, but do you know how to properly address a card, letter or package?

With millions of pieces of mail being shipped during the holiday season, one of the keys to timely delivering is properly applying the correct address.

“Addressing the mail the right way is extremely important to ensure timely holiday delivery,” says Random Lake Postmaster Maureen Straley. “It only takes a few minutes to get everything written down correctly regardless of it’s a card, letter, or package.”  

Here are some holiday addressing tips to help customers prepare their shipments for on-time delivery:  

• Print addresses clearly using all capital letters.
• All punctuation should be eliminated.
• The name of the city should be spelled out.
• The state name should be abbreviated.
• Include all apartment numbers.
• Use abbreviations for street, avenue, lane, etc.
• Customers should never guess the ZIP Code.
• Include a return address on all cards, letters, and packages.
• Use a sturdy carton for all packages.
• Remove or mark out any conflicting address information.
• Use pressure-sensitive or reinforced tape for all packages.
• Place an extra label or notice with delivery and return address inside the package. This ensures safe return of an item that could not be delivered should the outside address becomes damaged.

The following is an example of an address using the correct format.

Mr. John Doe
2345 W Main St APT 205
Any Town WI   12345

“Many mail processing operations are automated, so machines are reading the addresses on the mail as it travels through our network,” says Straley.  “If the address is not legible or inaccurate that can delay delivery of the mail.”

The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

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