Preparing your mail properly helps us to get it there quickly and safely. The following guidelines show you exactly how to address and format your UK and international mail.

Sending mail to the UK

When sending mail to UK addresses you need to use a full and accurate address complete with the postcode. You do not need to include a county name, as long as the post town and postcode are used. Avoid using commas or full stops and do not centre or stagger your lines.

Fictional example of UK address
Miss S Pollard
1 Chapel Hill
Heswall
BOURNEMOUTH
BH1 1AA

There should be a generous margin around the address.

Line 1 – the addressee's name
Line 2 – building number and street name
Line 3 – locality name, if required
Line 4 – POST TOWN, please print in capitals
Line 5 – POSTCODE, please print in capitals, in full and on a separate line

Sending mail to an international destination

If you are sending an item to an address outside the UK, the country name must come last and in CAPITAL letters. We would recommend you write your address on the back of all mail that you send so it can be returned to you if there’s a problem delivering it. Do not centre or stagger your lines. If you are sending by Airmail please use an Airmail sticker. Ideally the destination address should contain:

Fictional example of international destination address
Sr.C.Fernandez
Av das A’Augsa Livres
Monte Trigo
7220 Portel
PORTUGAL

There should be a generous margin around the address

Line 1 – the addressee's name
Line 2 – building number and street name
Line 3 – place name
Line 4 – name of province, state, department and postal code (if appropriate)
Line 5 – name of the country in block capitals

International addressing

You will find further information to help you post at the following:

Postcode Finder
Price Finder
Sending mail
Receiving mail
International Services

Help centre