Spot the Box

How to map a USPS Collection Box

Getting Started

Find an unsurveyed box on the map nearest you. Walk up to the box so you can confirm its status. The goal of this project is in-person survey, don’t mark a box present or removed unless you can confirm its status in-person. Click on the unsurveyed point on the map. You will see the address of the box and an outlet ID at the top of the screen. Confirm you are at the correct address. Select the status of the box and click the Save button.

Finding a Box

If at first you don’t see a collection box check around the block, sometimes boxes aren’t at the front of a building or are not exactly at the location shown on the map. If there are multiple boxes on the map in close vicinity look at the top of the collection box and you should see a label like this:

Match the Location ID No. with the Outlet ID in Spot the Box. This number will confirm which collection box you are at.

Confirming Removed Boxes

If you suspect a box has been removed, double check the labels of surrounding boxes first to make sure they are not the same as the box label you are surveying. A clear indication of a removed box is when you see an empty concrete pad like this:

Post Office Lobby Boxes

If you cannot find the box, double check the popup of the unsurveyed box. Some collection boxes are located inside a Post Office lobby. These are listed in the application as “Type: USPS COLLECTION BOX - PO LOBBY.” Check inside the Post Office lobby to confirm a box.