How to Get Mail Delivered Faster

Sometimes having your mail delivered as fast as possible is a priority. This is evidenced by the fact that many people will pay extra money for express mail, just to get their mail to its destination a little faster. But what if you could get your letter delivered at the speed of express mail, but at the cost of a regular first class stamp? Well, you can, and it's easier than you think. Test this out for yourself. Have a friend mail two envelopes to yourself, one using this method and one without it, and see which arrives first.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Letter to be mailed
• Ink pen

1. Know that this method revolves around using the LPC code for mail. This is a seven-digit number written on the back of the envelope. Using this code tells the postal sorting computers how to route your mail, so that it bypasses the local processing step. You do not need any fancy computer bar code. All you have to do is write the seven-digit number on the back of the envelope at the bottom, by hand.

2. 
    

   Consider that, of the seven digits, the first two digits are the first two digits in the zip code for the return address of the sender. For example, if the zip code for the sender's return address is 46556, then the first two digits of the LPC code will be 46.

3. 
    

   Be aware that the next two digits in the LPC code are the first two numbers in the zip code of the recipient's address. If the letter was being mailed to an address with the zip code of 79108, then the third and fourth numbers of the LPC code would be 79. Working from the example in Step 2, so far you have an LPC code of 4679.

4. 
    

   Know that the last three digits in the LPC code identify your regional distribution center. You can obtain these numbers by asking your local post office for the last three digits of the LPC code. They are happy to provide you with this information, because it saves them time and makes their job easier when the codes are used. Our distribution center has a code of 341. Working from the example in the above steps, our seven digit LPC code would be 4679341.

5. Wseven-digit code on the back of the letter and drop it in your mailbox. It's as easy as that.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to use neat hand writing when writing the number on the envelope. Remember, this number is being read by the optical character recognition technology in the postal system's computer, so make sure your hand writing is legible.

Resources

• US Post Office

[matt2h]

on 11/13/2009 This is a hoax. There's no such thing as an LPC code or a BRL number and if you ask you ask your letter carrier or local post office employee about it, the only thing you will achieve is mild embarrassment.

[amylaine]

on 4/27/2008 If you use your computer to type the address on your envelope, you can also have your computer to do this for your. Great article.