Testing the Next Generation Mailbox

Soon, the Postal Service will announce the results of last year's testing of a new, larger mailbox design that can handle more than 70 percent of the packages sent through the mail.

As the mail mix continues to change — with fewer letters and a growing volume of packages — customers often find their mailbox is stuffed to overflowing. Many parcels won’t fit in standard curbside boxes, which means packages are delivered to doorsteps — susceptible to theft and damage. Failed delivery attempts and notices are frustrating for residents as well.

An urban mailbox for one or more households is being tested in New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Washington, DC. Another mailbox for suburban and rural households is being piloted in California, Colorado and North Dakota.

The Postal Service is paying for the installation of the mailboxes. In return, customers provide feedback on the most-wanted features before wider testing begins.

Stay tuned for initial results expected this summer!