When sending international mail, start by clearly and accurately writing the recipient's name and address on the surface of the package. The address should include the destination country name and region name, with the region name written in uppercase letters. If there is a specific postal code or delivery area number, it should also be included. If the destination country uses different characters or numbers, you can write the address in both Roman characters and the local script. The following information is based on the Korea Post's guidelines for external addressing and labeling for international mail, and can be used to check the address and packaging conditions before sending.
Conditions to Check Before Writing the Address
When writing the recipient's address, ensure it is formatted for automatic reading. Do not leave spaces between the characters that form words, and avoid spaces between the line containing the destination region and other address components. This does not mean to arbitrarily shorten the meaning of the address, but rather to avoid creating unnecessary gaps between characters and address elements. Before writing the address, confirm that the recipient's name, destination region name, destination country name, and postal code or delivery area number are correct, and clearly distinguish between the region name and country name. Do not underline the destination country name, region name, or postal code.
Language of the Address and Sender Information
Both the sender's and recipient's addresses should be written in English and the language of the destination country. The address should be displayed not only on the surface of the mail but also inside the package and, if possible, on the contents as well. Particularly for unsealed mail, the address should also be indicated on the contents. The sender's name and address should be displayed on the surface of the mail, and if there is a postal code or delivery area number for the sender's address, it should be included as well. When marking the sender's address on the envelope, place it in the top left corner.
The sender's and recipient's information should be clearly distinguished to reflect their respective roles. An official example arranges the sender's name and address with the region name, postal code, and country name, followed by the recipient's name and accommodation name or address, city and region, postal code, and country name. This example should not be seen as a strict format to copy for specific mail but rather as a way to clearly separate the components of each address without mixing them.
Order of Address Placement
- Write the recipient's name and address on the surface of the mail. If the destination country uses different characters or numbers, you can also indicate the address in those characters or numbers alongside the Roman characters.
- Write the destination country name and region name. The destination region name should be in uppercase, and if there is an accurate postal code or delivery area number, include it as well.
- Write the recipient address tightly without leaving unnecessary spaces between the characters and between the line containing the destination region and other address components.
- Display the sender's name and address on the surface, and include the postal code or delivery area number if applicable. The sender's address should be in the top left corner of the envelope.
- The address should be written in English and the language of the destination country. The sender's and recipient's addresses should be indicated inside the mail and on the contents whenever possible.
- If there are handling instructions or labels to indicate, place them on the address side, preferably below the sender's address and name in the top left corner.
Additional Labels Based on Packaging Method
| Situation | What to Check |
|---|---|
| Parcel Mail | Do not write names and addresses in pencil. It is recommended to include copies of the sender's and recipient's addresses inside the parcel. |
| Mail Wrapped in Packaging | Even if there is an address on the inner envelope, the recipient's address must be written on the packaging. |
| Printed Materials Delivered in Mail Bags | Each bundle contained in the printed materials should also have the recipient's address. |
| Held Mail | The address should include the recipient's name and city, and if possible, the name of the post office where the mail will be delivered. |
Pencil writing of names and addresses is not permitted. Therefore, when preparing a parcel, check not only the address on the surface but also the writing tool, and it is recommended to include copies of both the sender's and recipient's addresses inside the parcel. For mail wrapped in packaging, the recipient's address must be written on the packaging itself. Printed materials delivered in mail bags should not only check the representative address of the entire printed material but also ensure that each bundle inside has the recipient's address.
Handling Instructions and Held Mail
Instructions or labels indicating how to handle the mail should be placed on the address side unless otherwise specified by treaty. They should be positioned as close as possible below the sender's address and name in the top left corner. These instructions should be written in French or another language commonly known in the delivery country, and you may also include translated instructions in the language of the receiving country. Therefore, when writing instructions, check both the placement and language, and do not change the placement to an arbitrary location on the address side.
Held mail has additional items to check beyond the standard address components. The address must include the recipient's name and city, and if possible, the name of the post office where the mail will be delivered. When sending in this type, do not just write the recipient's name; ensure that the city name and the post office name can be indicated, and reflect this on the address side. It is also advised to write the indication of held mail in bold on the address side.
Final Checklist Before Sending
- Have you accurately written the recipient's name and address on the surface of the mail?
- If the destination country uses different characters or numbers, have you included those?
- Is the destination country name and the destination region name in uppercase?
- If there is an accurate postal code or delivery area number, have you included it?
- Are there no unnecessary spaces between the characters and address components of the recipient's address?
- Have you indicated the sender's name and address, along with the applicable postal code or delivery area number?
- Have you written the sender's and recipient's addresses in English and the language of the destination country?
- Have you indicated the addresses inside the mail and on the contents whenever possible?
- Have you written the recipient's address on the packaging, mail bag, or each bundle of printed materials as applicable?
- If it is a parcel, have you included a copy of the address inside, and have you not written names and addresses in pencil?
- Have you written handling instructions in the necessary language and placed them below the sender's address?
- If it is held mail, have you indicated the recipient's name, city name, and the post office name if possible?
📌 Editor's 3 Key Takeaways
- Write the recipient's name and address on the surface in English and the language of the destination country, with the region and country names in uppercase and postal code included.
- Place the sender's information in the top left corner of the envelope, and it is recommended to indicate the address on the contents as well.
- Check additional labeling guidelines based on the type of mail, such as parcels, mail bag deliveries, and held mail.