Spike in delayed packages in the V.I. due to USPS labeling issues

Problems with package delivery have been plaguing the territory for years, and the latest issue is being caused by a robotic labeling machine that’s sending mail destined for the Virgin Islands to other zip codes, according to V.I. Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett.

U.S. Postal Service delivery to the territory has long been unpredictable, but complaints have spiked in recent weeks, prompting a statement from Plaskett. Plaskett’s office “recently received information and complaints from numerous Virgin Islands residents about packages in Jacksonville, FL being erroneously sent to Puerto Rico for processing only to be returned to Florida, resulting in severely delayed delivery dates,” according to the statement.

“My office is aware of the postal challenges that currently affect the people of the Virgin Islands on the untimely delivery of packages through the United States Postal Service (USPS). After discussing the issues and possible solutions with USPS management, I was informed that there is a robotic issue with labeling at the Jacksonville Processing and Distribution Center which causes packages to be shipped to incorrect zip codes outside of the Virgin Islands,” the press release added.