Abstract: In an apparatus for sorting and distributing mail pieces, the mail pieces e introduced into an inlet module, then from the inlet module into a transporter and finally to an outlet module. Mail pieces are moved from a receiving station on to a continuous conveyor forming a part of the inlet module. The continuous conveyor has a number of transporting sections disposed in spaced generally horizontal planes. From the transporting sections mail pieces are transferred at a transfer station from transport pallets on to individual receptacles in the transporter. At a removal station spaced from the transfer station, mail pieces are removed by an extraction device from the individual receptacles on the transporter to containers on an output conveyor of the output module. The containers are formed to receive a plurality of mail pieces.