How to write
an address clearly

Everything you need to know about addressing your mail correctly

Delivery speed and reliability depend to a large extent on how carefully you write your recipient's address. That's why the quality of service also depends on you. It's simple to play your part: just follow these few recommendations.

FONT

Choose the right font:

  • Avoid using decorative, ornamental, script or condensed fonts.
  • The weight, i.e. the "thickness" of the letters should not be too light or too heavy.
  • Use a single font for the whole address.
  • The minimum font size should be 8 point or above; 10 to 12 point is ideal.
  • Characters and lines should not touch each other.
  • Recommended fonts: Arial, Century, Courier, Mangal, Raavi, Tahoma, Tunga, Verdana.

ADDRESS AREA

Write the address carefully:

  • Align the address to the left.
  • It should consist of a maximum of 6 lines.
  • Spacing between lines must be normal: do not leave too much space between two lines.
  • Do not underline anything.
  • Write the postcode clearly.
  • Use the correct layout.
  • Do not add unnecessary information to the address: if the recipient has a PO box or a bulk user code, do not repeat the details of their actual geographical address.
  • For less common numbering such as 6/8 rue des Bains, we recommend to only use the first number, i.e. 6 rue des Bains.

To avoid any mistake, POST provides you with postcodes files (CSV, XML and PDF).

SENDER’S ADDRESS

Include the sender's address

In the event that the letter cannot be delivered, it is important to write the address of the sender so it can be returned to the correct address. Write the complete address of the sender on the back of the envelope (on the flap) or on the front in the top left-hand corner. This is compulsory for registered mail.

EXAMPLES

See a few examples of addresses below:

In Luxembourg

Geographical address

Mr Jean Mustermann
71, route du Vin
L-1234 DUDELANGE

Postal address

MJM Company
BP 1234
L-9874 REMICH

Bulk user postal address

Post Department
Customer Department
L-2998 LUXEMBOURG

Abroad

The name of the country must be included and written in capital letters and preferably in French; this is essential for countries with alphanumeric postcode (such as the United Kingdom).
If the postcode is in numeric form only, it is not necessary to write the name of the country, but the postcode must be preceded by the international country code used for vehicle registrations or the ISO code.

Madame Irène Dubois
24, rue Mirabeau
75016 PARIS
FRANCE

Herrn Werner SCHMITT
Beethovenstrasse 32
CH-8050 ZURICH

Sherlock Holmes Museum
221B, Baker Street
LONDRES NW15RT
ROYAUME UNI