Industry Description
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing mail services under a universal service obligation. Mail services include the carriage of letters, printed matter, or mailable packages, including acceptance, collection, processing, and delivery. Due to the infrastructure requirements of providing mail service under a universal service obligation, postal service establishments often provide parcel and express delivery services in addition to the mail service. Establishments primarily engaged in performing one or more parts of the basic mail service, such as sorting, routing and/or delivery (except bulk transportation of mail) are included in this industry.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in--
Business Examples
Common types of business activities within NAICS 491110 - Postal Service are:
- Postal stations operated on a contract basis
- Postal stations operated by U.S. Postal Service
- Postal services operated by U.S. Postal Service
- Postal delivery services, local, operated on a contract basis
- Postal delivery services, local, operated by U.S. Postal Service
IBISWorld Industry Research Report
Postal Service in the US (49111)
Revenue 2025
$91.9bn
Growth 2025
-0.23%
Key Trends
As online communication, media and transactions have grown in popularity, traditional mail has become less popular
The increased popularity of the Internet has reduced a major revenue stream for the industry
Revenue for the postal service will fall amid high external competition
Products and Services
Similar Industries
For some business types, there may be a similar industry to 491110 - Postal Service that is a better classification match. Establishments primarily engaged in:
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NAICS Cross Reference
Providing bulk transportation of mail on a contract basis to and from postal service establishments--are classified in Industry Group 4841, General Freight Trucking;
IBISWorld industry research report
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NAICS Cross Reference
Providing courier services--are classified in Industry 492110, Couriers and Express Delivery Services;
IBISWorld industry research report
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NAICS Cross Reference
Providing local messenger and delivery services--are classified in Industry 492210, Local Messengers and Local Delivery.
IBISWorld industry research report
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NAICS Cross Reference
Providing mailbox services along with other business services--are classified in U.S. Industry 561431, Private Mail Centers; and
IBISWorld industry research report
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NAICS Cross Reference
Providing services outside of the basic mail service, such as mail presort, mail consolidation, or address bar coding services, on a contract or fee basis--are classified in U.S. Industry 561499, All Other Business Support Services;
IBISWorld industry research report
NAICS Hierarchy 491110 - Postal Service
NAICS Code 491110 - Postal Service sits in the 2-digit Postal Service sector. NAICS codes can be 2- to 6-digits and the further along the hierarchy, the more detailed and specific the category will be. Learn more about the structure of NAICS codes
2 Digits: 48-49
Sector Title: Transportation and Warehousing
3 Digits 4 Digits 5 Digits 6 Digits
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4911 Postal Service
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49111 Postal Service
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4921 Couriers and Express Delivery Services
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49211 Couriers and Express Delivery Services
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4922 Local Messengers and Local Delivery
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49221 Local Messengers and Local Delivery
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4931 Warehousing and Storage
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49311 General Warehousing and Storage
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49312 Refrigerated Warehousing and Storage
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49313 Farm Product Warehousing and Storage
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49319 Other Warehousing and Storage
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NAICS Resources
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