Why Does My USPS Package Say ‘Insufficient Address’?

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Learn all the ways to fix a USPS ‘Insufficient Address’ error
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Eagerly checking your USPS tracking number only to see “Insufficient Address” as the status can be frustrating and confusing. This common shipping status doesn’t mean your package is lost forever, though! It just means there’s an issue with the address that needs to be resolved before the mail carrier can drop it off at your door. In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the “Address Insufficient” tracking status, from what causes it to how to fix it and prevent it from happening in the future.

USPS Insufficient Address: Explained

The USPS “Insufficient Address” tracking status appears when there’s something wrong with the way your package is addressed that makes it undeliverable. The issue could be missing information or a label that’s damaged or smudged.

Section 1 of 7:

What does “Insufficient Address” mean for USPS?

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  1. When the US Postal Service (USPS) tracking system shows an “Insufficient Address” status, it means the mail carrier couldn’t read the address or important information is missing, and they do not know the correct information. [1]
    • When tracking your package , this status usually appears closer to the end of the package’s journey because the USPS can often route mail with missing information to the correct city and state.
    • In some cases, your local mail carrier is so familiar with where people on their route live that they can deliver the package without the correct address.
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Section 2 of 7:

“Insufficient Address” Status Causes

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  1. When an address has an incorrect zip code, no street directional, or misspelled street names, it’s more difficult to route it to the right part of your city. [2] This is why you often see the “Insufficient Address” status near the end of the package’s journey. Occasionally, a package is given this status when there’s not enough postage or the recipient has moved without filing a change of address. Other reasons for an “Insufficient Address” status are:
    • Missing apartment, unit, or suite number
    • Incomplete city name
    • Missing street number
    • Invalid postal abbreviations for state, street, or city
    • Smudged address label
Section 3 of 7:

What to Do If the USPS Says “Insufficient Address”

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  1. These options are your best bets for getting help from a real person as quickly as possible. [3] There’s often a window between when the package is marked “Insufficient Address” and when it’s rerouted. If you contact the Post Office during that window, you may be able to get the package before it’s rerouted.
    • It’s worth getting in touch with the USPS even if your package has not reached a distribution center in your city. They may be able to hold the package or update the address for you.
    • If you call the Customer Care number, enter your 5-digit postal code when prompted. Then, press 3 for “Delivery Issue” to be connected with a Customer Care Representative in your area.
    • The USPS Customer Care Center is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 8:30 PM ET and on Saturday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM ET.
    • Visit the USPS Locations page to find your local Post Office. Type in your city and state or zip code and click search for a map showing locations in your area.
    • Hours for your local Post Office are also available on the Locations page.
  2. Contact the sender to check the name and address on the package. If your name or address was incorrect, tell them the package has been marked “Insufficient Address.” Provide them with your correct address and ask them to resend the package when it’s returned to them. [4]
    • When you notify the shipper the package is being returned to them due to an insufficient address, they may send a replacement before they receive the original package.
  3. Go to the USPS Package Inquiry Page to submit a Help Request Form. Provide a description of the package, your contact information, and the sender’s information if you have it. After submitting the form, a Post Office employee will get in touch with you within a few days of making your request. [5]
    • Either the shipper or the recipient can submit a request for help.
  4. Go to the USPS Missing Mail page to recover a lost package if 7 business days have passed after submitting the Help Request Form and your package hasn’t been delivered to you or the sender. Provide the sender’s mailing address, your mailing address, the size and type of packaging, the tracking number, and a description of the package’s contents. [6]
    • Visit your local Post Office if you’d rather talk to someone in person. They can help you file a Missing Mail Search. Don’t forget to get your tracking number and take it with you.
    • Let the sender know you still haven’t received the package. They may also submit a Missing Mail Search. If the package is lost and insured, the sender can file a claim to be reimbursed.
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Section 4 of 7:

Preventing an “Insufficient Address” Status

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  1. When providing your address to a shipper, have them read it back to you to make sure they have the correct information. If you’re ordering online, check that you’ve entered all of the information correctly. Some online retailers may display a standardized version of your address for you to approve. Take a second to make sure the apartment information and street directional or name are still correct.
    • The following information is required for sending packages: recipient name, house number, street name, city, two-letter abbreviation for the state, and zip code.
    • If you have a directional (as in 1111 East wikiHow Road) or apartment number, make sure to include them, too. [7]
  2. If writing the address , write neatly in capital letters. While the Post Office scanners can read most handwriting, it’s best to make yours as legible as possible. [8] Cover the label with clear tape to protect it from getting smudged or torn or falling off entirely.
    • Avoid using red ink or an ink that smears easily.
    • If possible, use a computer to print your labels to make them easier to read.
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Section 5 of 7:

What happens to mail with an “Insufficient Address”?

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  1. If the package isn’t deliverable as addressed, the mail carrier returns it to the Post Office. If there’s a return address, it’s sent back to the sender. [9]
    • If it costs more to return the package than the original postage, the sender will be charged for the difference
  2. If there’s no return address, the package is held by the local Post Office or sent to the Mail Recovery Center. At this point, if the sender or recipient submits a Missing Mail Search to claim it or a Post Office employee figures out where it’s supposed to be delivered, it’s routed to the correct address. [10]
    • Post Office staff open packages sent to the Mail Recovery Center to attempt to identify their intended address. If they locate an address, the package is rerouted for delivery.
    • It’s possible for packages to arrive with postage due. If that happens, it’s calculated from the Mail Recovery Center to the final destination. [11]
    • Staff usually dispose of packages worth less than $25 without an address inside.
  3. USPS Marketing Mail is a special bulk mail class for flyers, circulars, and other advertising materials. If this type of mail is incorrectly addressed, it’s usually not forwarded or returned unless the sender requests it.
    • The USPS may charge additional fees or postage for returning this type of mail.
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Section 6 of 7:

Other Non-Delivery USPS Statuses

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  1. This tracking status is a more specific version of “Insufficient Address.” It means the house number is incorrect, so there’s not enough information for the USPS to deliver the package. The Post Office attempts to return the package to the sender or figure out the correct delivery address by sending it to the Mail Recovery Center.
    • As with “Insufficient Address,” contact the sender to verify the address and request that they reship the package or contact your local Post Office. [12]
  2. The “Addressee Unknown” tracking status means the mail carrier doesn’t recognize the name on the package as belonging to your address. Much like the “Insufficient Address” status, the USPS holds the package until they can identify the recipient or return it to the sender. Submit the USPS Package Help Request Form or call (800) 275-8777 to inquire about the package or resolve the issue. [13]
    • While the “Insufficient Address” status refers to a problem with the address, this status has to do with the name on the package. [14]
  3. You often see this message with “No Authorized Recipient Available” or “No Secure Location Available.” “No Authorized Recipient Available” means the sender requires a signature for delivery, but no one was available when the mail carrier tried to deliver it. “No Secure Location Available” means the mail carrier couldn’t find a secure place to leave the package. [15]
    • If a package needs a signature, the mail carrier usually tries to deliver it the next business day.
    • When there’s no secure location at the delivery address, the mail carrier returns the package to the Post Office.
    • The mail carrier also leaves a redelivery notice with options to schedule a redelivery, pick the package up at the Post Office, or request the package be returned to the sender.
  4. The “No Access to Delivery Location” status means your mail carrier couldn’t reach your mailbox or another secure place on your property, like your porch or garage, to deliver the package. Some of the most common reasons for a “No Access to Delivery Location” status are that street or utility work is blocking your property, you live in a gated community, or there’s an aggressive animal near your home. [16]
    • The mail carrier usually attempts to deliver your package the next business day.
  5. This tracking status lets you know the package can’t be delivered to your address for some reason. Your local Post Office will hold it for you to pick up at your convenience. Unfortunately, you aren’t able to reschedule delivery for a package with this tracking status. [17]
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Section 7 of 7:

USPS “Insufficient Address” Status FAQs

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  1. Packages without a return address are sent to the Mail Recovery Center in Atlanta. When it gets there, Post Office employees open it to see if there’s an address slip for the sender or recipient. If there is, they repackage the contents and send it to that address. [18]
  2. First, check with the local government to make sure your address has been processed. It’s usually called the building or zoning department or something similar. Ask them for the required forms and paperwork if it hasn't been processed. The USPS doesn’t assign new addresses. [19]
    • Once you’ve filled out the paperwork, register the address with USPS.
    • To register your address, go to your local post office and ask them to fill out the paperwork to register your address with the local post master.
  3. If there’s no return address, the package is sent to the Mail Recovery Center whether it has the proper amount of postage or not. If the USPS staff finds the sender’s or recipient's address, the package will be rerouted. [20]
    • A rerouted package may arrive with postage due to the insufficient amount plus any additional postage to get it to the final destination.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/507.htm?_gl=1*1c00ld3*_gcl_au*MTczMTExODI4Mi4xNzI5NjI1NjM3*_ga*MTAwNzY4OTA1NC4xNzI5NjI1NjM3*_ga_3NXP3C8S9V*MTczMDEyMzkwMC4zLjEuMTczMDEyNjI2My4wLjAuMA..#a_1_9
      2. ↑ https://faq.usps.com/articles/FAQ/Where-is-my-package?r=6&ui-force-components-controllers-recordGlobalValueProvider.RecordGvp.getRecord=1
      3. ↑ https://www.usps.com/help/contact-us.htm
      4. ↑ https://faq.usps.com/articles/FAQ/Where-is-my-package?r=6&ui-force-components-controllers-recordGlobalValueProvider.RecordGvp.getRecord=1
      5. ↑ https://www.usps.com/help/missing-mail.htm
      6. ↑ https://www.usps.com/help/missing-mail.htm
      7. ↑ https://youtu.be/byCXBvkqp_Q?t=42
      8. ↑ https://youtu.be/byCXBvkqp_Q?t=99
      9. ↑ https://faq.usps.com/s/article/How-is-Undeliverable-and-Misdelivered-Mail-Handled
      1. ↑ https://faq.usps.com/s/article/How-is-Undeliverable-and-Misdelivered-Mail-Handled
      2. ↑ https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/507.htm?_gl=1*1c00ld3*_gcl_au*MTczMTExODI4Mi4xNzI5NjI1NjM3*_ga*MTAwNzY4OTA1NC4xNzI5NjI1NjM3*_ga_3NXP3C8S9V*MTczMDEyMzkwMC4zLjEuMTczMDEyNjI2My4wLjAuMA..#a_1_9
      3. ↑ https://faq.usps.com/articles/FAQ/Where-is-my-package?r=6&ui-force-components-controllers-recordGlobalValueProvider.RecordGvp.getRecord=1
      4. ↑ https://faq.usps.com/s/article/No-Mail-Delivery
      5. ↑ https://about.usps.com/what/business-services/delivery-growth-management/assets/pdf/section-611.pdf
      6. ↑ https://faq.usps.com/articles/FAQ/Where-is-my-package?r=6&ui-force-components-controllers-recordGlobalValueProvider.RecordGvp.getRecord=1
      7. ↑ https://faq.usps.com/articles/FAQ/Where-is-my-package?r=6&ui-force-components-controllers-recordGlobalValueProvider.RecordGvp.getRecord=1
      8. ↑ https://faq.usps.com/articles/FAQ/Where-is-my-package?r=6&ui-force-components-controllers-recordGlobalValueProvider.RecordGvp.getRecord=1
      9. ↑ https://faq.usps.com/s/article/How-is-Undeliverable-and-Misdelivered-Mail-Handled
      10. ↑ https://faq.usps.com/s/article/Where-Can-I-Find-New-Construction-and-Street-Address-Information
      11. ↑ https://faq.usps.com/s/article/How-is-Undeliverable-and-Misdelivered-Mail-Handled

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