What a UPCS Code Cannot Do

UPCS is useful, but it is important to know where it stops. Understanding the limits helps you avoid problems with deliveries and paperwork.

It is not an official postal code

Official postal codes are issued by national postal operators or governments. A UPCS code is not one of them. It is not issued by any government and does not replace national postal systems. Think of it as a complement: an exact-location code that can accompany a normal address.

It does not replace your address

Forms, parcels and official documents still need your normal address and official postcode where they are asked for. Add a UPCS code as extra information, for example in a note field. See adding a code to an order or address note.

It points to a cell, not a person

A code stands for a 3 m by 3 m grid cell. It does not say which flat, floor or door is meant inside a building, nor who lives there. For ideas on handling buildings with several units, read codes for apartment buildings.

It works only where UPCS has coverage

UPCS supports 25 countries. A point elsewhere returns unsupported_location. The list is on the supported countries page.

Other things it does not do

• It does not guarantee that a courier or service will accept it. Whether a code is used depends on the person or system receiving it.
• It does not name a flat, floor or door inside a building. It leads to the exact 3 m by 3 m square that was picked, and a short note covers the rest.
• It is not a mailing system; it does not deliver anything itself.

The right way to use it

Use a UPCS code to remove doubt about where a place is, and keep your regular address alongside it. What is UPCS gives the wider picture.