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USPS - no shipping to a PO box?

December 07, 2024 08:36PM
Hello all, I was wanting to ship something to a PO box and I was wondering how they would even know if you shipped to a PO box if you are allowed to cover the address and only show the zip code. Anyone have any thoughts about this?

(By wanting, I mean I need to ship something.)

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/07/2024 08:37PM by cherubino3.
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More About Post Office/Shipping
December 07, 2024 10:46PM
well, some Post Offices have a separate zip code for the PO boxes. I don't know if it's all of them or not. Where I used to live, before I lived here, the PO boxes had a zip code that ended in 552, and my house which was only a few blocks away, had a zip code that ended in 553. And there was only one other zip code for the city, on the East side, and it ended in 557.
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December 08, 2024 12:06AM
You have to provide your tracking number so they know exactly where the box is going and when or if it ever arrives.
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December 08, 2024 01:22AM
Well, actually, the tracking number is no longer a question on the survey. I doubt the MSC is manually entering it somewhere as they seem to have added several extra steps (such as a close up of the bottom of the receipt, on top of the regular picture of the receipt) to make editing easier. The outsourced, out of the country editors they hired for this were cheap, and struggled with the first few rounds - and then all the additional questions came that put more work on the IC and less work (and apparently, thinking) on the "editors". If they were actually looking at the Tracking Number, they would have it on the report.
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December 08, 2024 01:26AM
Its pretty easy to figure out if its a PO Box only zip code. Takes 1 or 2 Google searches. Here's how

1. Google "zip code location" (don't type the words zip code, type the actual numbers) This will tell you the city where the zip code is located. Occassionally, this alone will tell you if its a PO Box Only Zip Code. If it doesn't, go look for something that every zip code would have, such as:

2. Google "zip code gas station". If a gas station comes up with an address showing the zip code in question, it is a "regular" zip code since there are businesses with the zip code. You could do the same thing going to zillow.com and entering the zip code in question - see if any houses come up.

@cherubino3 wrote:

Hello all, I was wanting to ship something to a PO box and I was wondering how they would even know if you shipped to a PO box if you are allowed to cover the address and only show the zip code. Anyone have any thoughts about this?

(By wanting, I mean I need to ship something.)
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December 08, 2024 02:58AM
The postal clerks print a label to stick on the box that includes the entire address.
Why don't you investigate if PirateShip can help you send something to a PO box.
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December 08, 2024 06:07AM
I sent stuff with the old MSC to my PO Box, which was at another U.S. Post Office, many times. But, I used the street address that the Post Office allows you to use if you want. I had the box number also included with the street address, of course, but, it just looked like an apartment number or a suite number. The Post Offices in my area do not have separate zip codes for the PO Boxes, either. They are the same zip codes of each particular city. I know the UPS Stores that have PO Boxes will also let you use their street address, with the box number listed as an apartment or suite. Anyway, I never had a shop rejected.
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December 08, 2024 06:18AM
I did it with the old MSC a few times and never had an issue. I sell online and always try to get a street address if I'm going to use the package for a shop but there have been a few times that street delivery wasn't available because my buyer lives in a really small town. I never had an issue and I'm sure you wouldn't with the new MSC as long as it's covered. My po box and my house have the same zip code so the zip code doesn't always mean it's a po box.
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December 08, 2024 04:51PM
Thanks for the input!

Including the street address and making a PO box a number is very clever indeed if I need to photo the whole package. I will check to see if their PO Boxes are address (zip code) exclusive.

I already have ways of getting discounted shipping, but wanted to figure out how to get it done and be paid for it. I'm sure Pirate Ship is comparable to other online shipping services. Clever name.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/08/2024 04:52PM by cherubino3.
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December 08, 2024 04:56PM
When we take a photo of the package, we are allowed to cover the name & address and only show the zip code. The MSC never sees the label the post office prints out. I already have discounted shipping, Pirate Ship is a clever name tho.


@Rho wrote:

The postal clerks print a label to stick on the box that includes the entire address.
Why don't you investigate if PirateShip can help you send something to a PO box.
Reply
December 08, 2024 11:27PM
Easy zip code lookup:

www.zip-codes.com

Mine is a zip code for PO box only, so I will try using the street address, it gave me enough information to figure out the street address of the post office.
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December 09, 2024 01:16AM
I do not believe they will go by your tracking number. I shipped once a box and it was later than promised by USPS. And my shop was approved before package arrived to destination

Shopping Eastern Pennsylvania since 2009
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December 09, 2024 07:02AM
They are measuring front-end customer service/friendliness and whether or not postal workers are following policies/procedures in terms of Hazmat safety standards, selling shipping services, selling add-on services, and asking people to take their survey.

They couldn't care less about the tracking or how fast the package arrives anywhere or even if it gets lost in the mail or severely damaged. None of that matters at all to them. A few years ago, I had to make an insurance claim on one of the packages because items were severely damaged.

Shops are almost always approved same day for me.

@gene wrote:

I do not believe they will go by your tracking number. I shipped once a box and it was later than promised by USPS. And my shop was approved before package arrived to destination


Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/09/2024 07:04AM by cherubino3.
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December 09, 2024 01:53PM
I just checked the job board and the two that is usually listed is not there anymore.. But there is one that is about 25 miles away that is listed...

Guess someone needed to ship a CHRIST mas gift
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December 10, 2024 06:08AM
Maybe it should just be a holiday gift. There is a grand old song called "Happy Holiday" from the 1942 film Holiday Inn starring Bing Crosby. "Happy holiday, happy holiday! while the merry bells keep ringing, may your every wish come true! ... May the calendar keep bringing Happy Holidays to you!" I love Irving Berlin for a great song. [www.youtube.com]


There's also a wonderful old song called "The Holiday Season" by Kay Thompsoon
[www.youtube.com]

This song is sometimes confused with Happy Holiday since Andy Williams sang the two as a medly and he was her protegé. I have to say, the two together is marvelous. [www.youtube.com]

So I will keep saying Happy Holidays!
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