Systems and methods are disclosed for sorting and tracking mail items that are sent via a mail system. Such systems improve the efficiency and accuracy of mail systems by utilizing radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to communicate sorting instructions to a sorting operator. In one embodiment, a radio frequency reader device or tag can be associated with each container used to hold a plurality of mail items destined for a common delivery location. By reading information stored on RFID tags associated with mail items to be sorted, the radio frequency reader devices can be configured to automatically alert a sorting operator as to whether a mail item belongs in a selected container. The reader devices can also maintain a record of what mail items have been placed in each such container. This information can be stored in association with tracking information that is generated during the transport of the containers.