Why Does My USPS Package Say ‘Insufficient Address’?

Learn All the Ways to Fix USPS ‘Insufficient Address’ Error

This article was co-authored by wikiHow writer Aimee Payne, MFA. Aimee Payne is a writer and editor living in Jacksonville, Florida. For more than 10 years, she has created informative and engaging marketing content for the insurance, collectibles and apparel industries. She graduated from Otterbein University where she studied English literature and music, and received her MFA in writing from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of all quoted facts and confirming the authority of its sources. Find out more…

You anxiously check your USPS tracking number only to see “Insufficient Address” because the status can be frustrating and confusing. However, this normal delivery status does not mean that your package is lost forever! It just means that there is a problem with the address that needs to be resolved before the delivery person can leave it at your door. In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the “Address Insufficient” tracking status, from what causes it to how to fix it and prevent it from happening in the future.

The USPS tracking status “Insufficient Address” appears when there is something wrong with the way your package is addressed that makes it undeliverable. The problem could be missing information or a label that is damaged or stained.

1. 

   Contact the USPS at 1-800-275-8777 or visit a post office for assistance. These options are the best choice for getting help from a real person as quickly as possible.[3]
   There is often a window between when a packet is marked as “Insufficient Address” and when it is redirected. If you contact the post office during this period, you may be able to receive the package before it is diverted.

   • It is worth contacting the USPS even if your package did not arrive at the distribution center in your city. They may be able to hold the package or update the address for you.
   • If you call the customer service number, enter your 5-digit zip code when prompted. Then press 3 for “Delivery Issue” to connect with a customer service representative in your area.
   • The USPS Customer Service Center is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 8:30 PM ET and on Saturdays from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM ET.
   • Visit the USPS Locations page to find your local post office. Enter your city and state or zip code and click search for a map showing locations in your area.
   • The opening hours of your local post office are also available on the Locations page.

2. Confirm the delivery address with the sender. Contact the sender to verify the name and address on the package. If your name or address is incorrect, please tell them the package is marked “Insufficient Address”. Give them your exact address and ask them to resend the package when they get it back.[4]

   • When you notify the sender that the package is being returned due to an insufficient address, they may send a replacement before receiving the original package.

3. Submit a request for assistance form on the USPS website. Go to the USPS Package Inquiry page to submit a request for assistance form. Provide a description of the package, your contact information, and the sender’s information if you have it. After submitting the form, a post office employee will contact you within a few days of submitting the request.[5]

   • The sender or receiver can submit a request for assistance.

4. After 7 business days, submit a USPS Missing Mail Search Request online. Go to the USPS Missing Mail page to recover a lost package if 7 business days have passed since you submitted the assistance request form and your package has not been delivered to you or the sender. Please include the sender’s mailing address, your mailing address, package size and type, tracking number, and a description of the package’s contents.[6]

   • Visit your local post office if you’d rather speak to someone in person. They can help you file a missing mail claim. Don’t forget to take your tracking number and take it with you.
   • Notify the sender that you still haven’t received the package. They can also handle searching for missing mail. If the package is lost and insured, the sender can apply for compensation.

Categories: How to
Source: HIS Education