Commercial feature – The postal system has developed over a long period of time and provides vital facilities for efficient communication, with a wide range of roles and services. In recent years, it has had to adapt to changes in the ways by which we communicate and send goods.

The terms mail and post are used for anything sent through the postal system. Hundreds of millions of items are collected and delivered around the world every day.

Governments are usually involved in ensuring that an efficient national postal network is in operation in their country, although private companies may operate some services in addition to the state-run arrangement.

Proof of payment for the post service usually appears as a stamp on the item, although postage meters and machines are often used for bulk mail. This has, though, not always been the case.

The origins of a postal service date back almost to the invention of writing. The first recorded organised delivery structure was set up in Egypt in about 2400 BC and used by the pharaohs to carry their decrees to various parts of the country.

In the UK, before 1840 the post service was expensive and in need of improvement. Charges were paid by the recipient of the letter and were calculated according to the distance it had been transported. Sir Rowland Hill reformed the system, introducing pre-payment with the penny post, which used adhesive postage stamps.

Railways greatly improved the national network and in the 20th century air mail made international post much quicker. Automation in the handling of letters and parcels was also introduced on a large scale.

Although email has reduced the number of letters sent, the Internet has encouraged mail order businesses. In particular, online auctions and retail websites have produced new commercial opportunities by selling items cheaper than in the high street shops.

In many countries, including the UK, private courier companies can compete with national carriers for the increased packet and parcel business. When considering how to send such goods, its worth checking the alternatives on the websites of private delivery companies.

Postcodes have made a big difference to ways in which mail can be sorted automatically and delivered efficiently. Most countries have such systems. In the USA they are called ZIP codes. In many other countries they are called postal codes.

Pre-sorting of bulk mail into postcode areas helps to reduce the charges, which is useful for communications sent out in large quantities, for example, for direct marketing.

Hybrid mail is a relatively new approach whereby the sender uses the Internet to forward their letters directly to a specialist company, which sorts and sends each piece of mail, using electronic means, to a place close to its destination, where it is printed and prepared for distribution.

Hybrid mail can even be used to print emails for delivery to people who cannot receive them because they do not have the necessary technology and an Internet connection.

In addition to the range of standard postal services, a PO Box number can be purchased to which mail is delivered for collection as an alternative to it being sent to an actual address. And a Timed Delivery Service is available, for a charge, to ensure mail arrives or is ready for collection when required.

Check the websites of all the post service companies for full details of the wide range of services available, and charges and conditions.