Analysis
NAICS 491110 is the 2022 national industry for postal service, part of 49111 (Postal Service). Census lists 5 example activities under it in the official index.
Census lists 5 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 4841, 561499, 492110 and 561431. Businesses that do several things are classified by their primary activity, the one that generates the most value, so check those boundaries before settling on this code.
Its index entries, the activities Census uses to assign businesses to this code, include postal delivery services, local, operated by U.S. Postal…, postal delivery services, local, operated on a contract…, postal services operated by U.S. Postal Service and postal stations operated by U.S. Postal Service, among 5 in all.
For example, providing bulk transportation of mail on a contract basis to and from postal service establishments are classified in 4841 (General Freight Trucking) instead.
County Business Patterns publishes no national count for it, either because the code is out of the survey's scope or because the figures are suppressed to protect individual businesses.
Official definition
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.
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Providing bulk transportation of mail on a contract basis to and from postal service establishments | 4841 General Freight Trucking |
| 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 | 561499 All Other Business Support Services |
| Providing courier services and express delivery of parcels without operating under a universal service obligation | 492110 Couriers and Express Delivery Services |
| Providing mailbox services along with other business services | 561431 Private Mail Centers |
| Providing local messenger and delivery services | 492210 Local Messengers and Local Delivery |
Index entries (5)
- Postal delivery services, local, operated by U.S. Postal Service
- Postal delivery services, local, operated on a contract basis
- Postal services operated by U.S. Postal Service
- Postal stations operated by U.S. Postal Service
- Postal stations operated on a contract basis