NAICS 491 - Postal Service

The Postal Service subsector includes the activities of the National Post Office and its subcontractors operating under a universal service obligation to provide mail services, and using the infrastructure required to fulfill that obligation. These services include delivering letters and small parcels. These articles can be described as those that can be handled by one person without using special equipment. This allows the collection, pick-up, and delivery operations to be done with limited labor costs and minimal equipment. Sorting and transportation activities, where necessary, are generally mechanized. The restriction to small parcels distinguishes these establishments from those in the transportation industries. These establishments may also provide express delivery services using the infrastructure established for provision of basic mail services.

The traditional activity of the National Postal Service is described in this subsector. Subcontractors include rural post offices on contract to the Postal Service.

Bulk transportation of mail on contract to the Postal Service is not included here, because it is usually done by transportation establishments that carry other customers' cargo as well. Establishments that provide courier and express delivery services without operating under a universal service obligation are classified in Subsector 492, Couriers and Messengers.

• Includes National Post Office and subcontractors operating under universal service obligation.
• Focuses on delivery of letters and small parcels handled without special equipment.
• Sorting and transportation activities are generally mechanized to improve efficiency.
• Subcontractors include rural post offices contracted by the Postal Service.
• Excludes bulk mail transportation contracted to general transportation services.
• Does not include courier or express delivery services operating outside universal service.

• Collection and pick-up of letters and small parcels.
• Sorting mail using mechanized infrastructure.
• Delivery of mail and small parcels to residences and businesses.
• Operating rural post offices under contract to the Postal Service.
• Providing express delivery services within the infrastructure of basic mail services.
• Maintaining compliance with universal service obligation requirements.
• Coordinating mail logistics and transportation within postal networks.
• Managing customer service and mail tracking for government contracts.

• National Postal Service agencies
• Rural post office subcontractors
• Local post office operators
• Mail sorting and distribution centers
• Express delivery services operating under postal contracts
• Government contractors providing mail logistics support