ADDRESSING STANDARDS AND CUSTOMS FORMS FOR INTERNATIONAL MAIL

The complete delivery address must be typed or legibly written (with ink) in English – using all upper case Roman letters and Arabic numerals – and should appear lengthwise on only one side of the package. Except for Global Express Guaranteed (GXG), where the address must be completely written in English, an address in a foreign language is permitted only if the names of the city, province and country are also indicated in English. The last line of the address must include only the complete country name (no abbreviations) written in uppercase letters. Foreign postal codes (numeric and/or alpha), if used, should be placed on the line immediately above the country name. Some countries prefer that the postal code follow the name, while others prefer that it precede the city or town name. The following shows the order of information for the destination address:

MR. THOMAS CLARK
117 RUSSELL DRIVE
LONDON WIP 6HQ
ENGLAND

MS. C. P. APPLE
APARTADO 3068
46807 PUERTO VALLARTA JALISCO
MEXICO

Exception to Canada: There must be two spaces between the province abbreviation and the postal code, as shown below between “ON” and “KIA 0B1”:

MS. HELEN SAUNDERS
1010 CLEAR STREET
OTTAWA ON  K1A 0B1
CANADA

Return Address

Many foreign postal administrations require that mailpieces contain complete sender and addressee information (return address) in Roman letters and Arabic numerals. Mailpieces that do not contain a return address may be returned to the sender by the foreign postal administration. The complete return address of the sender, including ZIP Code and country of origin, should be shown in the upper left corner of the address side of the package. Only one return address may be used and it must be located so that it does not affect either the clarity of the destination address or the application of Customs Forms and service labels and notations (postmarks, etc.). Packages bearing a return address of another country are accepted only at the sender’s risk.

Customs Forms

Customs Forms are available without charge at Post Offices and through an online Customs Form Application at usps.com/webtools. It’s important to affix the correct completed Customs Form to your international packages prior to mailing. Keep in mind that Customs Forms requirements vary by the type of mail. You are encouraged to obtain, read and complete the appropriate Customs Forms prior to mailing. Please be aware that packages with incomplete or missing Customs Forms may be returned by the foreign post.

Except for Express Mail International shipments that have postage paid using an Express Mail corporate account (EMCA), mailers may not deposit International Mail items that require a completed Customs Form into a street collection box or a Post Office lobby drop. Such items must be given to a Postal Service employee at a Post Office facility or these items may be returned to the sender for proper entry and acceptance.

Note: Customs Forms also are required on Priority Mail articles weighing 16 ounces or more sent to and from ZIP Code prefix 969 and ZIP Code 96799 (Guam and American Samoa, respectively), as well as to certain APO/FPO destinations.

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