What does "mail sorting" refer to?

Mail sorting refers to the process of organizing mail based on its destination before it is delivered to customers. This essential step in the mail delivery system ensures that letters and packages are grouped together according to where they need to go. By sorting mail, postal services can streamline their operations, making it easier and more efficient to transport and deliver items to the correct addresses.

Sorting mail generally involves categorizing items by geographic regions, zip codes, or delivery routes, which allows postal carriers to plan their deliveries more effectively. This organization not only saves time during the delivery process but also reduces the chances of misdelivery, ensuring that mail reaches its intended recipients in a timely manner. The other choices pertain to different aspects of the mail service, such as delivering, collecting, or packaging mail, but do not accurately define the specific function of sorting.