TIL - All USPS tracking numbers start with 420

https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3e4hum/eli5why_is_a_usps_tracking_number_larger_than_the/ctbppqc

ELI5:Why is a USPS tracking number larger than the estimated number of 'grains of sand' on the earth?

[-]Chimney_Imp 61 points 3 hours ago

It's 420 followed by the zip code then 9 then 4 digits to identify the mail class, a 9-digit mailer ID and an 8 digit package ID.

So it's actually 30 including the 420+zip but only 22 are displayed under the barcode.

http://www.endicia.com/tools-resources/harrys-hints/new-usps-tracking-barcodes


Comments


[31 Points] Insanity_-_Wolf:

Ayyy


[14 Points] 2Despairs:

That proves it being ran by stoners.


[6 Points] None:

is it pot?


[4 Points] None:

mine start w/ a 9


[2 Points] RBRTPNG:

Juh blay!


[2 Points] None:

Dank


[2 Points] druggedupnigga:

unless its express or you know... you have the 400 labels


[2 Points] DICK_WRENCH:

This is so they can track dank-net products.


[1 Points] og_by_monsanto:

That endica link is an interesting read... I am kinda a interested in philately even outside of DNMs and I'd never heard about it before.
I thought the reason they got rid of the old tracking labels was b/c of DNMs but they were probably planning this for years before this stuff popped up for them


[1 Points] AndThenHeSays4:

This is not true.


[1 Points] hdheuud:

You may want to reword your title....not ALL USPS labels start with that. Most of my labels start with a much different first few numbers. As well as express mail.

Looking back on my postal slips, it appears only priority has this, or it is new.