How mail is delivered around the world

Mail is delivered in surprisingly different ways around the world: by mule in the Grand Canyon, by boat in parts of the USA and New Zealand, by bicycle across India and China, and by van (and, historically, bicycle) in the UK with Royal Mail. The method depends on each country’s geography and its main postal operator.

Every day, tens of thousands of mail items travel from one destination to another – but the way post is delivered, and who delivers it, varies from country to country. Here is how mail gets delivered in some countries around the world.

USA

• Mail is mainly delivered by USPS.
• USPS runs the largest civilian vehicle fleet in the world, with over 218,000 vehicles.
• Mail is delivered by mule in Supai, in the Grand Canyon.
• Mail is delivered by boat in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, by a “Mail Jumper”.

India

• Mail is mainly delivered by India Post.
• Much of it is delivered by bicycle.
• Mail is also delivered by van.

New Zealand

• Mail is mainly delivered by New Zealand Post.
• Most post is delivered by bicycle.
• Mail in Pelorus, South Island, is delivered by boat.
• Mail is also delivered by van.

China

• Mail is mainly delivered by China Post.
• Much of it is delivered by bicycle.
• Mail is delivered by horse in parts of mountainous Sichuan & Tibet.
• Mail is delivered on foot in parts of Diqing, on paths reaching over 4,000 metres in altitude.
• Mail is also delivered by van.

Australia

• Mail is mainly delivered by Australia Post.
• Bicycles are used for around 350 routes.
• Motorcycles are used for around 6,600 routes.
• Walking is used for around 1,000 routes.

UK

• Mail is mainly delivered by Royal Mail.
• Mail is delivered by van and, historically, by bicycle.
• Bicycle routes have largely been phased out due to health and safety risks.
• Royal Mail employs over 150,000 permanent workers, with around 18,000 extra over Christmas.

However your mail travels, franking is one of the cheapest ways for a UK business to send it. Get a franking machine quote or a Mailmark franking machine quote here.

FAQs

How is mail delivered in the USA? Mainly by USPS, which runs the world’s largest civilian vehicle fleet; also by mule in Supai, Grand Canyon, and by boat in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.

How is mail delivered in the UK? Mainly by Royal Mail, by van; bicycle routes have largely been phased out for health and safety reasons.

Which country delivers mail by mule? The USA – mail is delivered by mule to Supai, in the Grand Canyon.