And what does the label mean!
A Nixie label refers to a label used by the United States Postal Service (USPS) to indicate that a piece of mail is undeliverable as addressed. This typically happens when there is an issue with the address on the mail, such as being incomplete, illegible, or incorrect. The Nixie label often includes information about why the mail could not be delivered and may provide instructions or options for the sender to correct the issue.
Here are some common reasons why a Nixie label might be applied to a piece of mail:
- Incorrect Address: The address is wrong or does not exist.
- Incomplete Address: Missing essential components like apartment number, street, city, state, or ZIP code.
- Recipient Moved: The recipient has moved and left no forwarding address.
- Illegible Address: The address cannot be read due to poor handwriting or damage.
- Refused: The recipient has refused the mail.
The USPS uses Nixie labels as part of their process to ensure that mail is either correctly redirected, returned to the sender, or disposed of according to postal regulations.
A Nixie label is typically composed of several key elements that provide information about the undeliverable mail piece. These elements include:
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Reason for Non-Delivery: This is a brief explanation of why the mail could not be delivered. Common reasons include "Address Unknown," "No Such Number," "No Such Street," "Moved, Left No Forwarding Address," "Insufficient Address," "Unable to Forward," "Refused," and "Unclaimed."
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Return Address: If the sender's return address is available, the mail piece will be returned to the sender with the Nixie label attached, explaining why the delivery failed.
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Date of Attempted Delivery: The date when the delivery attempt was made and the issue was identified.
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Postal Code of the Delivery Attempt: The postal code (ZIP code) of the post office or delivery unit where the delivery attempt was made.
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Additional Instructions: Sometimes, the label may include additional instructions or actions that need to be taken by the sender, such as verifying the address or contacting the recipient.
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Barcodes and Tracking Information: Modern Nixie labels often include barcodes and tracking information to help the USPS track the handling and status of the undeliverable mail piece.
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Official USPS Markings: These include USPS logos, stamps, or other official markings that indicate the label's authenticity and the handling process.
The Nixie label is usually a bright, noticeable color (often yellow or pink) to ensure it stands out on the mail piece, making it clear that there is an issue that needs to be addressed.