How does ShippingEasy validate addresses?
As part of processing the data for each order, ShippingEasy validates domestic addresses through SmartyStreets, a US address validation tool. International addresses are validated through Melissa DATA, an international delivery validation tool.
Automatic ZIP Code Correction
For domestic addresses, ShippingEasy will automatically replace invalid ZIP code values whenever the address provides enough information to calculate the correct ZIP code. In addition, ShippingEasy will add the appropriate ZIP+4 code. For example:
| Original Address | With Corrected ZIP |
|---|---|
| 1149 Ellsworth Dr Pasadena, TX 77505 |
1149 Ellsworth Dr Pasadena, TX 77506-4858 |
Address Errors That Are Ignored
ShippingEasy tries to avoid marking domestic addresses as invalid for minor spelling and punctuation problems. As long as the address is "deliverable" as defined by the latest USPS Delivery Point Validation data, ShippingEasy will not mark the address as invalid. So ShippingEasy ignores minor spelling and punctuation errors. Examples include:
| Address | Issue Ignored |
|---|---|
| 4250 Koval Ln Los Vegas NV 89109 |
City is misspelled. It should be Las Vegas. |
| 800 Washington Ave St Louis MO 63101 |
Abbreviation used instead of full name. It should be Saint Louis. |
| 102Maple St Denton TX 76201 |
Missing a space after the street number. It should be 102 Maple St. |
| 359 Old Meramec Station Rd Ballwin MO 63021 |
Primary city for the ZIP code specified instead of preferred city for the street address. It should be Manchester. |
ShippingEasy can automatically correct minor spelling and punctuation errors on domestic addresses. Learn more.
Address Errors That Cannot Be Corrected
For domestic addresses, ShippingEasy relies on USPS data to validate each address. If the address is not in the USPS data it is invalid. A domestic address is usually marked as invalid for one of two reasons.
- An incorrect street number or name can cause an invalid address. Example: 23616 Summer Pine Dr, Spring, TX 77373 has a street number that does not exist. The tax records for that part of Texas list 23614, 23618, and 23622 as valid street numbers for Summer Pine Dr, but not 23616.
- A domestic address exists but does not receive mail service. The USPS defines an eleven digit delivery point code for every domestic address. If the USPS has not assigned a delivery point code then the address is invalid. Example: 940 Constitution Blvd, New Kensington, PA 15068 is an accurate street address but gets no postal service. Learn more about delivery point codes from our partners at SmartyStreets.
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