By mail: copyedit for clarity
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Revision as of 17:56, 14 June 2016
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[[Image:Diamond Head from Waikiki Beach.jpg|thumb|250px| Diamond Head & Waikiki Beach, [[Honolulu]], [[Hawaii]] ]]
[[Image:Diamond Head from Waikiki Beach.jpg|thumb|250px| Diamond Head & Waikiki Beach, [[Honolulu]], [[Hawaii]] ]]
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Addressing mail with a properly-formatted address will expedite its journey with the '''[https://www.usps.com/ United States Postal Service]''' (USPS
).
(Not
to be confused with the abbreviation for private shipper UPS
.
) Most important is the '''ZIP code''' (postal code); you can [http://www.usps.com/zip4/ look up ZIP codes and correct address formats] online. ZIP codes were originally 5 digits; later they gained a hyphen and 4 extra digits, which are recommended but still optional, and used more commonly by businesses than by individuals.
+
Addressing mail with a properly-formatted address will expedite its journey with the '''[https://www.usps.com/ United States Postal Service]''' (USPS
,
not
to be confused with the abbreviation for private shipper UPS)
.
Most important is the '''ZIP code''' (postal code); you can [http://www.usps.com/zip4/ look up ZIP codes and correct address formats] online. ZIP codes were originally 5 digits; later they gained a hyphen and 4 extra digits, which are recommended but still optional, and used more commonly by businesses than by individuals.
Addresses should be written in three lines like this, which is similar to the format used in Australia and Canada:
Addresses should be written in three lines like this, which is similar to the format used in Australia and Canada:
−
<blockquote>Name of recipient<br/>House number and street name, and (
If
needed) suite or apartment or building number<br/>City or town, two-letter state abbreviation, ZIP code</blockquote>
+
<blockquote>Name of recipient<br/>House number and street name, and (
if
needed) suite or apartment or building number<br/>City or town, two-letter state abbreviation, ZIP code</blockquote>
or, as an example:
or, as an example:
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<blockquote>Barack Obama<br/>1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW<br/>Washington, DC 20500-0001</blockquote>
<blockquote>Barack Obama<br/>1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW<br/>Washington, DC 20500-0001</blockquote>
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There are [http://www.usps.com/send/official-abbreviations.htm recommended abbreviations for state names and terms] (e.g. street = ST, avenue = AVE); the
USPS
[http://www.usps.com/zip4/ address and ZIP code search] uses them automatically. The USPS also recommends that addresses be written using only upper case letters and no punctuation (except the hyphen in the ZIP code and hyphens and slashes in some house numbers), but automated sorting machines accept mixed-case lettering and even cursive writing just as easily
. The USPS recommends that the "Line 2" of an address (usually apartment or room numbers) if any, be written on the same line as, and immediately following, the "Line 1" (number and street), contrary to what the name suggests
.
+
There are [http://www.usps.com/send/official-abbreviations.htm recommended abbreviations for state names and terms] (e.g. street = ST, avenue = AVE); the [http://www.usps.com/zip4/
USPS
address and ZIP code search] uses them automatically. The USPS also recommends that addresses be written using only upper case letters and no punctuation (except the hyphen in the ZIP code and hyphens and slashes in some house numbers), but automated sorting machines accept mixed-case lettering and even cursive writing just as easily.
First-class international airmail postcards and letters (up to one ounce/28.5 grams) cost $1.15. (The lower rate to Canada and Mexico has ended.) All locations with a ZIP code are considered domestic, including the 50 states, U.S. possessions, [[Federated States of Micronesia|Micronesia (FSM)]], [[Marshall Islands]], and overseas military bases, ships (APO or FPO) and diplomatic posts (APO or DPO). Domestic postcards cost $0.34, and ordinary letters up to an ounce, $0.47. "Forever" stamps are available for the first ounce of both domestic and international postage, and protect against future increases. Mailing thick or rigid objects, or non-standard shapes increases the postage cost.
First-class international airmail postcards and letters (up to one ounce/28.5 grams) cost $1.15. (The lower rate to Canada and Mexico has ended.) All locations with a ZIP code are considered domestic, including the 50 states, U.S. possessions, [[Federated States of Micronesia|Micronesia (FSM)]], [[Marshall Islands]], and overseas military bases, ships (APO or FPO) and diplomatic posts (APO or DPO). Domestic postcards cost $0.34, and ordinary letters up to an ounce, $0.47. "Forever" stamps are available for the first ounce of both domestic and international postage, and protect against future increases. Mailing thick or rigid objects, or non-standard shapes increases the postage cost.