
Rural delivery service can be a bit tricky, but with the right information, you'll be sending and receiving packages like a pro.
Rural areas often have limited post office hours, so it's essential to plan ahead and check the post office's schedule before sending a package.
Packages sent to rural areas may take longer to arrive due to the limited transportation infrastructure, but this can be mitigated by using services that offer tracking and guaranteed delivery.
The US Postal Service, for example, offers a Rural Delivery Service that provides tracking and guaranteed delivery for packages sent to rural areas.
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Registration and Eligibility
If you live at a rural address, you're eligible for Rural Delivery services. You can check if your address receives Rural Delivery.
To apply for these services, you'll need to create a My NZ Post account. This will allow you to manage your parcel and mail deliveries.
Once you're logged in to your My NZ Post account, you can apply for Rural Delivery.
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Sending and Receiving

Rural delivery services often use a combination of mail carriers and rural route carriers to deliver packages and mail to remote areas.
In the United States, the United States Postal Service (USPS) is the primary provider of rural delivery services, with over 40,000 rural carriers serving 1.7 million miles of rural roads.
Mail carriers typically deliver mail and packages to rural residents 5 days a week, with some areas receiving delivery 6 days a week.
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Sending to Address
Sending to a rural address can be a bit more complicated than sending to an urban one. A charge of $5.70 applies when using our domestic parcel services to send to a rural address.
You can buy online as part of your sending label or in booklets of ten rural tickets. There is no additional cost to send letters to a Rural Delivery address.
If you're sending to someone who isn't listed in your Rural Delivery Service Agreement, you'll need to address the mail to c/- your name and Rural Delivery address. For example, Mr & Mrs G O'Brien would receive mail addressed to C/- Mr W L Smith, 21 Greens Road, RD 2, Ruawai 0592.
Let's take a look at some of the first rural routes established in each state.
Sending from an Address

To send an email, you need to set up an email address. This is usually done by creating an account with an email service provider like Gmail or Yahoo.
You can send emails from any device that has an internet connection. As long as you have your email address and password, you can access your email account and send messages.
Make sure to use a valid email address as the sender's address, as this is where the recipient will see the email coming from. This is especially important if you're sending a business email.
You can also use a custom domain name as your email address, which can give your email a more professional look. This is a feature offered by some email service providers.
Keep in mind that your email address will be visible to the recipient, so choose one that reflects your identity or brand.
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Important Information
To ensure a smooth rural delivery service, it's essential to understand the key requirements. Your mailbox must have a minimum size of 400mm deep x 270mm wide x 270mm high, with a flag fitted to indicate mail is awaiting collection.

To facilitate easy access for the Rural Delivery owner-driver, the mailbox should be positioned to allow easy, all-weather access and be reachable without leaving the vehicle. This may not always be by your gate, so be sure to discuss your options with your Rural Delivery owner-driver before constructing your mailbox.
Here are the specific mailbox requirements:
- Has a minimum size of 400mm deep x 270mm wide x 270mm high, with a flag fitted to indicate mail is awaiting collection.
- Provides access by a front-opening hinged door that opens downwards and is non-locking.
- Has a mail slot large enough for large magazines to be placed inside without bending or opening the door.
- Has the street/road number of your property (if available) clearly printed on the box in numerals at least 25mm high.
The recommended height of your mailbox mail slot is between 1m and 1.2m from the ground, allowing for easy and safe access without the need for the Rural Delivery owner-driver to exit their vehicle.
Things to Know
A Rural Delivery service is only available to properties already located in an area where an existing Rural Delivery service passes.
To be eligible for gate delivery, your mailbox must be easily and safely serviced from a vehicle.
A mail delivery service will be provided to a single or aggregated delivery point if gate delivery is not available.

This delivery point is usually placed at an agreed location within the existing delivery route that is closest to your property.
Door delivery service is available for Rural Delivery addresses if your dwelling is within 0.5km (one way) from the delivery point.
To qualify for door delivery, there should be no closed gates, unsuitable access, dogs, etc. preventing delivery.
Your rural mail will be delivered if your mailbox meets specific size and design requirements.
Your mailbox should have a minimum size of 400mm deep x 270mm wide x 270mm high, with a flag fitted to indicate mail is awaiting collection.
The recommended height of your mailbox mail slot is between 1m and 1.2m from the ground.
Here are the essential features of a compliant mailbox:
- Minimum size: 400mm deep x 270mm wide x 270mm high
- Flag to indicate mail is awaiting collection
- Front-opening hinged door that opens downwards and is non-locking
- Mail slot large enough for large magazines to be placed inside without bending or opening the door (at least 250mm x 30mm)
- Street/road number or property name clearly printed on the box in numerals at least 25mm high
Key Takeaways on OIG Recommendations
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) has made several recommendations to improve the Medicare program. One key takeaway is that OIG recommends increasing transparency in Medicare payments to healthcare providers.

OIG also suggests implementing a more effective risk adjustment model to prevent overpayments to providers. This would help to reduce the risk of fraud and abuse in the system.
A major concern for OIG is the high rate of improper payments made to healthcare providers. In 2020, Medicare paid out over $140 billion in claims, with over 10% of those payments being deemed improper.
OIG recommends that CMS take a more proactive approach to preventing improper payments, including conducting regular audits and reviews of claims data. This would help to ensure that payments are accurate and only made to legitimate providers.
CMS has already taken steps to address some of OIG's recommendations, including implementing new payment models that incentivize value-based care. However, more work is needed to fully address the issues identified by OIG.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does rural free delivery still exist in the US?
Yes, rural free delivery (RFD) still exists in the US, with the USPS serving around 80,000 rural mail routes. The service is provided by over 133,000 mail carriers who travel rural routes to deliver and pick up mail from roadside mailboxes.
Do rural carriers make good money?
Rural carriers in California can earn a decent hourly wage, with an average of $25.27 per hour as of April 2025. However, their overall compensation may vary depending on factors such as location, experience, and specific job requirements.
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rural_delivery_service
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rural_Free_Delivery
- https://www.nzpost.co.nz/personal/receiving/rural-delivery
- https://www.ruralinfo.net/key-takeaways-on-oig-recommendations-for-package-delivery-in-rural-areas.html
- https://about.usps.com/who/profile/history/rural-free-delivery.htm
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