How to write international mailing address
Writing an international mailing address can be a bit tricky, but here's a step-by-step guide to help you get it right:
Format:
The general format for an international mailing address is:
[Recipient's Name] [Street Address or PO Box] [City] [State or Province] [Postal Code] [Country]
Components:
- Recipient's Name: Write the recipient's name as it appears on their identification or business card.
- Street Address or PO Box: Include the street address or PO Box number, if applicable. If the recipient has a PO Box, use "PO Box" followed by the box number.
- City: Write the city name in full, without abbreviations.
- State or Province: Include the state or province name, if applicable. For countries that don't have states or provinces, you can omit this field.
- Postal Code: Include the postal code or zip code, if applicable. Make sure to use the correct format for the country (e.g., "12345" for the United States, "M5V 2H3" for Canada).
- Country: Write the country name in full, using the official name (e.g., "United States of America" instead of "USA").
Examples:
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United States: John Doe 123 Main Street Anytown, CA 12345 USA
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Canada: John Doe PO Box 123 Toronto, ON M5V 2H3 Canada
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United Kingdom: John Doe 123 High Street London SW1A 1AA United Kingdom
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Australia: John Doe 123 Smith Street Melbourne VIC 3000 Australia
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Germany: John Doe Mühlenstraße 12 Berlin 10117 Germany
Tips:
- Use the correct postal code format for the country.
- Avoid using abbreviations for city, state, or province names.
- Use the official country name, even if you're familiar with a shorter version (e.g., "United States" instead of "USA").
- If the recipient has a suite or apartment number, include it after the street address or PO Box number.
- If the recipient has a company name, you can include it before their name.
By following these guidelines, you'll be able to write an international mailing address that's accurate and easy to read.