What Is USPS Insufficient Address and How to Fix It

It’s frustrating to track a package you’ve mailed and see the status “Insufficient Address” instead of “Delivered”. Such packages are typically returned to the sender. However, there is a small window of time before the package is rerouted when you can try to resolve the issue. So, what does the “Insufficient Address” status mean, and how can you fix it?

A tracking status of “Insufficient Address” means that part of the delivery address is missing, incomplete, or incorrect, which makes the package undeliverable. This could be due to a smudged or damaged shipping label, a misspelled street name, a missing street or apartment number, or an incorrect ZIP code that does not match the rest of the address.

This status usually appears toward the end of the package’s journey because the USPS uses the ZIP code rather than full addresses to deliver packages to the matching post office. Sometimes, a package with an incorrect or incomplete address is delivered to the recipient because the local mail carrier knows the people on their route and recognizes who the package is intended for. However, that is not always the case.

If a package cannot be delivered due to an insufficient address, it is returned to the sender, who will need to reship it with new postage and correct address on the shipping label. However, there is a small window after receiving the “Insufficient Address” status when you can try to resolve the issue instead of waiting for the package to be returned.

The first thing you should do when your package receives the “Insufficient Address” tracking status is to contact the recipient and verify their address. Once you’re sure you have the correct address, call the USPS Customer Care Center at 1-800-275-8777. Ask to speak with a Consumer Affairs representative, who may be able to reroute your package to the correct address.

You can also contact USPS via an online form on their website. However, in a situation like this, time is of the essence, so calling is the better option as long as the Customer Care Center is open. Note that their hours are Monday – Friday 8 AM – 8:30 PM ET, and Saturday 8 AM – 6 PM ET.

You should also ask the recipient to contact their local post office. They should notify the post office about the situation and ask if they can deliver the package to the correct address. If not, they should ask if they can hold the package at the post office so that the recipient can collect it.

Bear in mind that this won’t guarantee the package won’t be returned to the sender, but it’s worth a try. However, it’s always better to prevent an unpleasant situation than to have to deal with it. How can you prevent your package from receiving the “Insufficient Address” tracking status? Here are a few tips:

• Always double-check the recipient’s address before generating a shipping label online or giving it to a post office employee.
• If you print your shipping labels, make sure they are securely attached to the box with clear tape. It can also be a good idea to place the label in a transparent address pouch to protect it from the elements. However, make sure not to tape over the barcode, as this can make it harder to scan.
• Place a copy of the shipping label inside the package in case the label on the box is damaged or lost.
• Sign up for USPS Informed Delivery and enable tracking notifications to receive automatic text and/or email alerts about your package’s status. The sooner you learn that your package has been marked as “Insufficient Address”, the more time you have to resolve the issue.
• Make sure the return address is correct so the package is returned to you instead of getting stuck at the Mail Recovery Center.