How to send a postal letter securely
If you need to send a postal letter securely and are unsure how to do it, below are the key steps to successfully send your mail and avoid any kind of theft or damage during transit.
1. Protect your shipment
When sending important original documents, you can protect them by using a special waterproof envelope or by placing the documents inside a securely sealed plastic bag, which can then be placed in a traditional postal envelope. This will prevent moisture or rain from damaging the contents of your mail.
If you are sending something valuable that has a distinctive shape (such as a bank card, small piece of jewelry, USB drive, or identification document), add additional papers or sheets to conceal its shape. This way, the contents won’t be obvious, and no one will be tempted to steal the contents of your letter if it contains something valuable.
2. Use certified mail
By using certified mail, you ensure that the letter is personally delivered to the recipient by the mail carrier and requires a signature. This way, the letter cannot be stolen at any point or fall into the wrong hands; it can only reach the intended recipient of your choice.
Most postal companies offer this service, which is slightly more expensive but guarantees the legitimate delivery of your mail. With this service, you can track the status of your shipment at all times using a tracking code provided, allowing you to monitor the shipping process online.
If the recipient is not available at the delivery address when the mail carrier visits, they will usually make a second attempt. If the recipient is still unavailable, a notification of certified mail delivery will be left, and the recipient will need to personally collect it at a post office.
3. Verify the correct address
Frequent changes of address are common. Many individuals and businesses are in rental accommodations, and it’s possible that the contact addresses you have are outdated. Therefore, first verify the accuracy of the recipient’s address, and once you have written the complete address on the front of the envelope, double-check that it is written correctly to avoid any errors. Keep in mind that a simple transcription error of a number could prevent your shipment from being delivered or result in delivery to the wrong location.
4. Include your return address
On the back of the envelope, include your current and complete return address. In the event of an error in the delivery address, the recipient’s absence, or any other situation that prevents proper delivery of your letter, it will be returned to your address. Otherwise, the letter will be lost, and you won’t be able to retrieve it.
5. Consider insuring the shipment
If you are sending something of high value, you can consider insuring the shipment. This way, in case of loss or theft during transit, you will receive financial compensation to cover the loss of the valuable item you sent.
6. Trust a reputable postal company
Some low-cost postal companies have high employee turnover, with staff receiving minimal training, facing strict targets, and being poorly compensated. As a result, their service quality may be subpar, and deliveries may be rushed, leading to errors in shipments.
For this reason, it’s better to avoid saving a little money in exchange for assuming risks during the shipment. It’s much better to rely on reputable postal companies with a proven track record.
Extra tip
If you have a special or specific case and are unsure how to proceed, don’t hesitate to seek advice from your nearest post office. The professionals working there can advise you on the specific procedures and provide you with the best options for your particular case.
Lastly, if you found this post on sending a postal letter securely interesting, you might also find our article on how to send a package securely helpful. Feel free to check it out!