Postcodes
Writing Postcodes on International Parcels
How to write the postcode and address on cross-border parcels: keep the local format, add the country in full and avoid common errors.
Updated 14 October 2026 · 3 min read
When sending a parcel abroad, the rule is simple: write the address in the destination country's format and put the country name on the last line. Staff in the origin country, transit hubs and the destination all need to read it.
Keep the local format
Each country's postcode follows its own pattern. Do not reformat it to look like your home country's. If the destination uses letters and a space, keep both. If it uses digits only, do not add a prefix of your own. For the logic behind formats, see postcode structure explained.
Where the pieces go
Address order varies between countries, but a safe layout for international items is:
- recipient name
- street name and number, or building name
- town or city, with the postcode in the position customary at the destination
- region or state if used locally
- country name on its own last line
Where the code sits in that line differs by country, which is covered in where to write the postcode on an address.
Country name and language
Write the country in capitals. Using the destination's usual name, or an internationally understood form such as English, helps sorting centres in the transit countries. Avoid abbreviations that could be confused.
Customs and forms
International parcels need customs information. Make sure the postcode on the customs declaration matches the label, as mismatches can cause delays. Online shipping forms often validate the code against the chosen country; see postcode formats in online forms.
Countries without a postcode
Some destinations have no postal code. In that case do not invent one; leave the line out and ensure the town and district are clear. See countries without a postcode system.
Add a phone number
Carriers often need to call the recipient, so include a phone number with the correct country dialling code on the label or declaration.
When the address is hard to find
For remote or informal destinations, add an exact-location code on the label or in the shipping notes. UPCS codes are not official postcodes, and they do not replace the destination's postal code or address, but they help the final carrier find the spot. Check first that the destination is among UPCS's supported countries.
Frequently asked questions
Should I change the postcode format for another country?
No. Write the postcode in the destination country's own format, exactly as used locally.
Where does the country name go?
On its own line, last, in capital letters, and preferably in a language the transit countries can read.