What is Informed Delivery USPS? A Comprehensive Guide with Examples
It’s a quiet outdated to receive physical mails in today’s fast moving world but in our personal and business lives it might play vital role. The United States Postal Service (USPS) has recognize the need of modernize and enhance the mail experience & introduce a digital innovation known as Informed Delivery. This service provides mail recipients with a digital preview of their incoming mail and packages, improved mail security, offering convenience and greater control over deliveries.
This article dives deep into the concept of Informed Delivery – what it is, how it works, its key features, benefits, limitations and real-life examples to help you understand why it has become a game-changer in mail management.
Understanding Informed Delivery
Informed Delivery is a free notification service offered by USPS that allows customers to digitally preview the exterior of letter-sized mailpieces and track packages scheduled for delivery to their mailbox. During processing, USPS scan the address side of mailpieces and captures grayscale images and sends them to recipients through daily email notifications or via an online dashboard and mobile app.
For Example – If you have subscribe to the Informed Delivery then you might receive an email showing thumbnail images of letters, bills or postcards that will arrive at your address.. If you ordered a package from an online retailer, the system also provides tracking updates alongside the mail previews.
How Informed Delivery Works
- Mail Processing: When mail arrives at USPS processing centers, advanced sorting machines scan the address side of letter-sized mailpieces and generate images.
- Image Matching: These images link to the recipient’s Informed Delivery account based on the delivery address and barcode data.
- Notification Delivery: Each morning before delivery, USPS sends daily email notifications including grayscale previews of the mail and tracking information for packages.
- User Access: Recipients can view their mail previews and track parcels via email, a secure USPS online dashboard or the USPS mobile app.
Example: Jane, who has subscribed to Informed Delivery, receives an email every morning showing the letters that have been scanned for her home. Today, she sees a preview of a credit card statement and a holiday card. Alongside, a package from an online bookstore she ordered, is shown with tracking details indicating it will arrive by 2 pm.
Key Features of Informed Delivery
- Digital Mail Preview: You an view grayscale images of the address side of letter-size mailpieces before they arrive at your mailbox.
- Package Tracking: Access real-time tracking updates for inbound and outbound packages through USPS.
- Accessible Anywhere: Notifications come via email and can be reviewed on the USPS website or mobile app.
- Household Coverage: If Multiple residents present at the same address then each can register and view their mail separately.
- Interactive Campaigns: Businesses can link digital images to marketing offers, coupons or other additional content where recipients can interact with.
- Privacy and Security: Only exterior mail images are shown, the contents remain confidential to protect privacy.
Benefits of Using Informed Delivery
- Convenience and Planning: As you know packages are arriving today at your door then it helps recipients to plan their day accordingly, track parcels or prepare necessary documentation.
- Mail Security: Alerts provided to every customers in the morning so it reduce the risk of missed important documents or stolen parcels.
- Enhanced Communication: Businesses can make use of this to engage customers by linking mail images with interactive digital promotions, increasing engagement.
- Travel and Absence Management: When customer is away from the delivery location then they can check mail previews online, helping monitor deliveries and detect mail theft or loss early.
- Environmental: Reduces unnecessary trips to the mailbox when there is no expected mail, conserving time and vehicle emissions.
Example Scenario: Robert is going on vacation and signs up for Informed Delivery. Each day, he checks his email dashboard and sees previews of all mail sent to his house. When he notices a package arriving on a certain day, he arranges someone to collect it. Without Informed Delivery, Robert might have missed the package or alerted the post office unnecessarily.
Limitations to Consider
- Only Letter-Sized Mail: Informed Delivery images only capture letter-size mail processed through USPS automation, so magazines, large envelopes or packages (without tracking) may not appear.
- Content Not Shown: For privacy, the system only provides exterior images of mailpieces, not the contents inside the envelope.
- Requires Registration: Customers must create and verify a USPS.com account and confirm their identity online.
- Image Delays: Occasionally, some mailpieces may not get scanned or may be delayed in appearing.
- Service Availability: This service is primarily available in the US but the coverage depends on USPS processing infrastructure and address eligibility.
Example: Sarah receives frequent magazines and catalogs that are oversized or machine cannot accept it then these items do not appear in her Informed Delivery previews. She still can get the benefits of tracking her packages and letter-sized mail.
Real-World Use Cases
- Small Business Owners: Sam runs a handmade jewelry shop and uses Informed Delivery to track payments and other business correspondence which allow him to respond promptly and manage orders without missing important information.
- Busy Professionals: Mark often travels for work. By checking digital mail previews on his smartphone, he stays updated on bills, bank statements and personal mail without physically being at home.
- Seniors and Caregivers: The elderly living independently can benefit from Informed Delivery by having family members or caregivers monitor their mail remotely, ensuring timely action on medical or financial documents.
- Marketing Campaigns: A retail brand sends out discount coupons via mail linked in Informed Delivery notifications. Recipients receive digital reminders and clickable links directing them to online sales, bridging physical mail with digital marketing efforts.
Getting Started with Informed Delivery
- Check Eligibility: Visit the USPS Informed Delivery website and enter your address to verify service availability.
- Create an Account: Sign up for a USPS.com account or log in if you have already sign up.
- Verify Your Identity: Complete the necessary identity verification process, which may include USPS validations or in-person verification.
- Enroll and Customize: Choose how you receive notifications (email, app or dashboard access) and set preferences.
- Start Receiving Notifications: Once enrolled, your daily mail previews and package tracking will start appearing.
Conclusion
Informed Delivery is a powerful tool seamlessly combining the traditional mail experience with modern technology. It enhances convenience, security and customer engagement by providing timely, digital insights into your daily mail and packages. Whether you’re a household keeping track of family correspondence or a business owner managing important transactions, Informed Delivery offers an innovative way to stay connected and informed.