Have you ever gotten a package shipped to you wrongly or shipped one out to the wrong address before? Well, you are not alone; this happens more often than you think. Many people don’t know how to address a package for shipping.
If you’re the type who ships often, you need to figure out how to address it. Whether you are mailing to Canada from US address or any other address, you must ensure the address is accurate so that it gets to its intended recipient.
Addressing a package wrongly can lead your package to be returned or even held up in customs. Addressing the package properly makes it easy to be tracked using USPS’s tracking system. In this article, you’ll learn different methods of addressing a package for shipping. Freight forwarding agencies are tasked to Calculate international package shipping costs and shipping of item from one place to the next.
What is Address Format and Why is It Important for Shipping?
An address format is a way in which you show where a package will travel from and to. The address format comes in a standard format and is different for each country. However, the most common information contained in an address format includes:
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Street Address
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PO Boxes
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International Mailing Addresses
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Name of the country
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Name of the recipient
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Name of the city
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House number
The address format is important for shipping because it allows the postal service to determine where a package is being shipped from and, more importantly, where it is going. A properly formatted address will also allow them to provide faster delivery time and better tracking information.
The best way to ensure that your address is formatted correctly is by using a software application that can help you with this process. You can also seek professional help from shipping staff who understand shipping information.
Shipping Address Formats for International Countries
When shipping a package, the shipping address format for the particular country should be followed. Below is a quick guide to the most common international shipping addresses.
Canada
When shipping to Canada, follow the following steps:
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Input the recipient’s name in the first line.
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The second line contains the street of the recipient.
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The third line contains the postal code, municipality, and province.
For example;
DEE JOHN
10-125 ½ MAIN STREET SA
MONTREAL QC H23 1Y7
CANADA
United Kingdom
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Write the recipient’s name in the first line,
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Write the house or flat number in the second line.
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Write the street name and number in the third line.
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Write the name of the city or county in the fourth line.
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The last line contains the country name.
For example;
DEE JOHN
FLAT 7
22 BUCKET ROAD
ESSEX SS5 3DD
UK
The United States
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The first line contains the recipient’s name
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The second line contains the street name and house number
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The next line contains the city, including the zip code and the state’s two-lettered abbreviation.
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The last line contains the country name.
For example;
DEE JOHN
APARTMENT 3D
217 DERRICK STREET
BOSTON, MA, 02130
USA
Methods of Addressing Packages for Shipping
UPS, FedEx, and DHL
If you want to send a package through any of these services, you will need to use their special labels designed for this purpose. Most times, you will be asked to write your shipping address on a form, which will be used to type into their system.
USPS
Shipping via USPS is more straightforward. It uses both printed labels and handwritten methods. If you’re using the handwritten method, ensure you find a large space on the box to accommodate both the recipient’s and sender’s addresses. You must also ensure your writing is clear enough and easy to read.
However, if you’re using the printed label to create an address, ensure you use a sans-serif font, not larger than 8 points. If you’re confused, you can ask professionals for better options for you.
Tips for Addressing a Package
When addressing your package, the following tips will help
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Write in capital letters.
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Ensure you don’t have more than five lines.
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Write your address in English.
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Never include a fax number or phone number in the delivery details
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Write the return information in full.
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Make inquiries about the exact abbreviations for state names before you format your address.
Knowing how to address a package correctly is an important step in the shipping process. Whether you’re sending packages through the mail or need to label your box for an interstate move, the above tips will help give you the information necessary to get your packages safely and correctly shipped.
