Sometimes when we want to send the package in hurry, we wrote the wrong zip code, will the package arrive at the correct destination?
The answer is it depends.
Almost 25% of all mailpieces have something wrong with the address, a missing apartment number, or a wrong ZIP Code. Can some of those mailpieces get delivered, despite the incorrect address? YES. If you entered a slightly wrong zip code, that’s not an issue at all, the post office will correct it on arrival. First by zip code than by address. But it costs the Postal Service time and money to do that. So when that happened, you have to wait more days.
For example, Here’s the CORRECT address to fill: 17 EASTERN PKWY BROOKLYN NY 11238-5675 USA
Situation A
Wrote with wrong zip code: 17 EASTERN PKWY BROOKLYN NY 11238-5657 USA
The package can still arrive in Brooklyn New York, and if someone recognizes your name, then your package probably will be sent to you. If the postmaster doesn’t know you, then the package probably will be returned to the sender.
Situation B
Wrote with wrong zip code: 17 EASTERN PKWY BROOKLYN NY 13238-5675 USA
There is no city in which zip code 13238, so it’s wrong, if someone recognizes that you have the wrong zip for your city and state, then the postmaster will correct that and deliver it to you.
So let me sum up.
If you entered the wrong zip code. The initial automated sort will take the mail piece to the USPS Processing & Distribution Center for that incorrect zip code. Automation equipment reads mail from right to left and bottom to top. The first pass through the equipment would identify the zip code on the mail and send it for a second sort at the facility responsible for that zip code. The second pass should identify that city and state match the zip code and if they don’t, the mail will be kicked out for manual review. The review clerk will identify the error zip code and can hopefully identify and correct it by sending the mail to its intended destination. And all the situations will make trouble for the staff in USPS(or others), they must spend extra time to finish those deliveries with incorrect zip codes.
Check your zip code carefully after you filled it.
Hope this helps!
