What is the purpose of the last 4 digits?
From: "C++gUrU"
What is the use of the last four digits in the
United States zip codes?
So here is the list of responses that we
received. Basically heres what they all add up to... the extra four
numbers after the five digit zip codes purpose is to define a
smaller delivery area allowing the item to reach its destination.
TB: To define a finer delivery area. 5 digit
zip codes can be a whole town or small city. Zip plus allows sorters
to separate letters / packages into smaller areas making faster
delivery possible.
ElbaliavanU: The last 4 digits after a ZIP
code are part of the zip code. ZIP stands for "Zone Improvement
Plan", it is put after an address so that the address is easier to
find, and the mail gets there faster. the east coast has zip codes
starting with 1, and as it goes west the zip codes get up to
starting with 8 or 9 (example, 12345 somehwere on the east coast,
and 87654 on the west coast). the 4 numbers after it are the zip
code area divided into even smaller areas, and each 4 digit code is
different in each zip code area. it gets the mail to your house even
faster than the regular zip code.
Todd: I believe you mean last four as in
55555-1111, the last four being the 1s. Those last four are almost
ZIP code ZIP codes. Its a way to divide up cities by smaller
sections. Just as a ZIP code is a city, the last four are sections
of a city. The last four are not required to be used. Although using
them may speed up delivery. You can actually visit this website and
find the last four digits.
Paul: In 1983, the Postal Service began using
an expanded ZIP Code called "ZIP+4." A ZIP+4 Code consists of the
original 5-digit ZIP Code plus a 4-digit add-on code. The 4-digit
add-on number identifies a geographic segment within the 5-digit
delivery area, such as a city block, office building, individual
high-volume receiver of mail, or any other unit that would aid
efficient mail sorting and delivery. Use of the 4-digit add-on is
not mandatory, but it helps the Postal Service direct mail more
efficiently and accurately because it reduces handling and
significantly decreases the potential for human error and
possibility of mis-delivery. It also will lead to better control
over USPS costs and, in turn, postage rate stability. ZIP+4 is
intended for use primarily by business mailers who prepare their
mail with typewritten, machine-printed, or computerized addressing
formats that can be read by the Postal Service's automated scanners
during processing. Mailers who qualify receive a rate discount on
First-Class, non-presorted, ZIP+4 mailings of at least 250 pieces
and on presorted ZIP+4 mailings of at least 500 pieces. There are
also ZIP+4 discounts for bulk business mail.
Xach: The last four digits of an area
code are to furter narrow done the area for which the address is in.
there really not that important to normal people
duncan: The purpose of the "+4 code" is
to speed up the sorting of the mail. The first to digits I believe
are the mail carrier number and the second 2 are the stop.
i know all: the first five are the area
and the last four is the exact house
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