By Jack Reaney SENIOR EDITOR
Navigating package delivery for residents of Big Sky’s 59716 zip code can be a confusing process, especially for new residents and visitors. Beginning Friday, Feb. 13, mistakes won’t be given quite as much grace.
USPS-handled packages mistakenly addressed to a physical address—as opposed to the proper “general delivery” or a specific P.O. box—will no longer be held at the USPS Big Sky Post Office for two weeks awaiting pickup. They will be returned to sender immediately, according to Big Sky Postmaster Catherine Reimers.
“I really would like to streamline service and kind of clean things up, so we can provide the best service we can here,” Reimers told EBS in a phone call, explaining that holding improperly addressed packages is time-consuming and inefficient for her small staff, as they spend time cross-referencing addresses to search for P.O. box customers. In addition, the packages take up significant space during their two-week stay.
Under prior standards, she said, the holidays can be a pinch point with an influx of visitors, residents and packages. “We want to take care of our community all year long.”
As always, packages handled by other carriers such as FedEx and UPS can be delivered to physical addresses, but USPS currently cannot provide home delivery.
For online purchases or other situations when the carrier is unclear, representatives recommend “dual addressing,” or including both a physical address and P.O. box in the following format:
John Doe
Street address
P.O. box [number]
Big Sky, MT 59716
When USPS is certainly the carrier, customers without a P.O. box should insert “General Delivery” in place of the address, followed by town and zip code (Big Sky, MT 59716). Alternatively, if a street address is required, general delivery customers should list the post office street address (110 Meadow Village Dr, Big Sky, MT 59716).
General delivery mail parcels will be held for 30 days, and packages for 15 days.
“Proper addressing will assist us with providing prompt, reliable, efficient delivery, and package services to the community of Big Sky,” Reimers stated in a letter posted to customers.
Reimers joined the USPS Big Sky Post Office in October, bringing seven years of USPS experience in Bozeman and Missoula. She emphasized that her team is working hard to provide effective postal services to the Big Sky community.
