What is address validation in shipping?
Address validation is checking a shipping address before the label is bought and correcting it when something is wrong, such as a typo, a missing apartment number or a wrong ZIP code. ExperShip validates addresses as part of every shipment and suggests a corrected, standardized version, so problems are fixed while they are still cheap to fix instead of after a parcel comes back.
1200 main street apt 3b
philadelphia pa
1200 Main St Apt 3B
Philadelphia, PA 19103
how it works
How address checks work in ExperShip.
- 01The address arrives with the order
Typed by the buyer at checkout, often in lowercase, abbreviated or incomplete.
- 02It is checked before the label
ExperShip checks the address while you compare rates, not after the parcel ships.
- 03A correction is suggested
Street standardized, ZIP code completed, missing details flagged.
- 04You use the suggestion
Accept it with one click, or keep the original if you know better.
address-validation · benefits
Why check every address.
Fewer returns to sender
Undeliverable parcels come back, cost a second label and annoy the buyer.
Fewer correction charges
Carriers can add address correction fees when they fix an address in transit.
On-time deliveries
A complete address means no delays waiting on a driver to find the door.
Cleaner order data
Standardized addresses make every later shipment to that buyer easier.
who it is for
The address problems it catches most often.
- Missing apartment, suite or unit numbers
- Misspelled street or city names
- Wrong or incomplete ZIP codes
- Non-standard street formats that carriers struggle to read
faq
Address validation questions.
Guides to go deeper:
When does ExperShip validate an address?
Before you buy the label, as part of preparing the shipment, so a correction never costs a reprint.
Can I keep the original address?
Yes. A suggested correction is shown next to the original and you decide which one to use.
Why do carriers charge for address corrections?
When a carrier has to find the correct address during delivery, it can bill an address correction fee on top of the label. Checking the address first avoids that.
Is address validation available in the API?
Yes. The ExperShip API includes address validation, so you can check addresses at checkout or in your own system.
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