What does "postal zone" refer to?

The term "postal zone" refers to a geographical area that influences postage rates and delivery times. Understanding postal zones is essential for mailing services because these zones help determine how much it costs to send mail and how long it will take for the mail to reach its destination. Each zone corresponds to specific distance ranges from the point of origin, impacting the pricing structure set by the postal service. This classification system ensures that postage rates are fair and proportional to the distance that the mail must travel.

Other options do not accurately capture the concept of a postal zone. For instance, a specific delivery time for mail is determined by various factors, including the service used and destination, rather than merely being defined as a postal zone. Similarly, a type of packaging used by USPS is unrelated to postal zones, as zones focus on geographical areas rather than packaging standards. An internal designation for postal workers is also not relevant; postal zones are concerned with external delivery logistics rather than the roles or designations of postal staff.