What is USPS Informed Delivery?

USPS Informed Delivery is a free, optional service provided by the United States Postal Service (USPS) to residential and eligible PO Box users. The service allows you to preview incoming mail digitally, giving you a grayscale image of the exterior of letter-sized mail pieces before they arrive.

Through this feature, you receive email notifications or access these images through an online dashboard, helping you stay informed about what’s on its way. This can be helpful for keeping track of important letters, bills, or other mail while you're away from home.

But for those who need something beyond basic mail previews and want complete, flexible control over their mail, services like iPostal1 offer comprehensive digital mail management.

How Does USPS Informed Delivery Work?

USPS Informed Delivery leverages existing USPS mail scanning technology, capturing an image of the exterior of letter-sized mail as it moves through the postal system. Once these images are linked to your account, you’ll receive a daily email notification or have the option to view your mail on the USPS Informed Delivery dashboard.

It’s worth noting that the service provides package tracking details and expected delivery dates for packages but does not offer images for them—only for letter-sized mail.

For those who manage large amounts of mail, such as small businesses, or for those who need access to more than the front of an envelope, Informed Delivery’s limitations may be significant.

iPostal1, on the other hand, provides full color images of the outside of all mail pieces, including packages, along with options to open and scan the content or forward, shred, or store mail securely online. With iPostal1, you also have access to your mail from anywhere, anytime, through a secure online dashboard.

Limitations of USPS Informed Delivery

While USPS Informed Delivery can be helpful, it has limitations some users can find challenging:

• Coverage: It only includes letter-sized mail and excludes larger packages, limiting its usefulness for those who need comprehensive mail tracking.
• Eligibility: USPS Informed Delivery is not available in all areas and is limited to residential addresses and select PO Boxes. Certain businesses may be eligible, but it's not designed for commercial use.
• Reliability: Users sometimes report missing mail images, delayed notifications, or technical glitches that impact the effectiveness of the service. These inconsistencies can lead to uncertainty about the status of incoming mail.

When mail security and management are critical, these limitations can become a barrier.

iPostal1 offers a solution that circumvents these issues by providing a virtual mailbox service that’s available across the U.S. and internationally, designed for both residential and business addresses. This ensures that you have consistent, reliable access to your incoming mail and packages.

What if My Address is Not Eligible for USPS Informed Delivery?

If your address doesn’t qualify for USPS Informed Delivery, you’re limited to basic USPS services, like package tracking and optional email notifications through the USPS mobile app. However, with iPostal1, you gain full access to a digital mailbox with more extensive options:

• Comprehensive Mail Management: iPostal1 provides digital images of the outside of both letters and packages, not just letter-sized mail. You can open and scan mail content, decide to forward or recycle items, and even have them securely stored—all without needing to manually enter any tracking information.
• Package Tracking and Notifications: With iPostal1, you receive real-time updates on packages, including full color preview images and detailed tracking numbers. Plus, you can rely on notifications to arrive consistently, without the delays sometimes reported with USPS Informed Delivery.

For businesses and individuals who value mail security and control, iPostal1’s virtual mailbox service is an ideal solution, offering peace of mind that USPS Informed Delivery alone cannot match.

Can Business Addresses Use USPS Informed Delivery?

While USPS Informed Delivery primarily targets residential addresses, some businesses can use the service. However, it’s not designed for the demands of businesses that handle large volumes of mail, nor does it offer the level of digital management options that modern businesses often need.

By contrast, iPostal1 is built for business users with mail management needs, providing virtual office solutions, a real street address, and the ability to forward or store important documents securely. Businesses that use iPostal1 can streamline their mail handling while reducing the physical clutter that can accumulate in traditional mailrooms.

How to Sign Up for USPS Informed Delivery

1. Visit the USPS Informed Delivery website.
2. Create an account or log in with an existing USPS account.
3. Complete identity verification to confirm your address.
4. Start receiving daily email notifications with mail previews.

If you find the service insufficient for your needs, iPostal1 offers a robust digital mail management alternative with no limitations on account eligibility or types of mail included. Signing up with iPostal1 takes just a few minutes, providing you with immediate access to a comprehensive digital mailbox service.

Common Issues with USPS Informed Delivery

Despite its convenience, USPS Informed Delivery is prone to certain issues that impact user satisfaction:

• Missing Mail Images: Some mail pieces are not included in daily notifications, creating uncertainty for users.
• Delayed Notifications: Users often report delays between when mail arrives and when they receive digital previews.
• Technical Issues: The platform can experience technical glitches, preventing users from accessing their accounts or notifications.

To address these issues, USPS recommends checking account settings and contacting their support team for troubleshooting. However, these technical problems can still impact the reliability of USPS Informed Delivery.

iPostal1, in comparison, offers a stable, user-friendly interface, reliable notifications, and continuous support, minimizing the risk of disruptions and ensuring seamless mail access.

Types of Mail Included in USPS Informed Delivery

USPS Informed Delivery includes grayscale images of letter-sized mail only, such as letters and flats, but excludes larger packages and any mail that falls outside of standard letter size. This poses a limitation for users looking for comprehensive mail management.

With iPostal1, all types of mail can be digitally previewed, no matter the size or shape. You get a full color image of the outside of each mail piece that arrives, and you can also request your mail be opened and the contents scanned for you, giving you more control over your incoming items.

iPostal1: A Complete Solution for All Your Mail Management Needs

If your address is ineligible for USPS Informed Delivery or you find the service insufficient, iPostal1 offers a flexible and powerful alternative. iPostal1 digital mailbox service provides an array of features designed to enhance mail management:

• Full Digital Access: Enjoy digital images of both letters and packages, manage mail from anywhere, and have access to a real street address for secure package deliveries.
• Reliable Notifications: With iPostal1, you receive consistent and timely notifications that keep you informed of every mail piece and package that arrives, free from the delays that can come with USPS Informed Delivery.
• Advanced Package Management: Unlike Informed Delivery, iPostal1 provides full color images of mail, open and scan features, and options for forwarding and storing items.

For individuals and businesses alike, iPostal1’s digital mailbox service is the comprehensive solution for modern mail management needs. Whether you’re looking to streamline personal mail or ensure that your business correspondence is handled efficiently, iPostal1 provides a digital solution you can depend on.

Choose iPostal1 for the Best in Mail Management

If you’re ready to experience a superior alternative to USPS Informed Delivery, visit iPostal1.com and see how our digital mailbox services provide unmatched convenience and flexibility.

With iPostal1, you can receive mail notifications, view images of incoming mail and packages, and manage your mail securely from any location. Sign up today and enjoy full access to a digital mailbox solution that goes beyond the limitations of USPS Informed Delivery!