How to send a letter to United Kingdom

How to address and send post to another country — the address layout, postage, delivery times and what you can and can’t send.

United Kingdom

Sending post to United Kingdom
Full name on envelopeRequired
Delivery timeApprox 5–14 business days depending on route.
PostageInternational Standard, Tracked, Signed/Tracked & Signed.
PostcodeAlphanumeric postcodes (e.g., NW1 6XE). Post town in capitals; postco…

✉️ Addressing the envelope

Address layout
Full Name
House Number + Street
Locality (optional)
POST TOWN
POSTCODE
UNITED KINGDOM
Example
Sofia Ahmed
14 Baker Street
LONDON
NW1 6XE
UNITED KINGDOM
More examples
Flat:
Priya Patel
Flat 3, 22 High Road
MANCHESTER
M14 5AB
UNITED KINGDOM
Full name
Required
Full given + family name required.
Postcode
Alphanumeric postcodes (e.g., NW1 6XE). Post town in capitals; postcode on own line.
Language
English; Welsh/Scottish Gaelic sometimes used locally; COUNTRY must be in English.

📮 Sending

Postage methods
International Standard, Tracked, Signed/Tracked & Signed.
Delivery times
Approx 5–14 business days depending on route.

⏱️ How long letters take to reach United Kingdom

From anywhere
about 7 days (2,462 letters)
Within United Kingdom
about 4 days (417 letters)
From USA
about 11 days (723 letters)
From Germany
about 5 days (153 letters)
From Australia
about 11 days (153 letters)
From Canada
about 8 days (129 letters)
From France
about 5 days (91 letters)

Based on letters our members logged and marked as received over the last two years, using the quicker letters on each route. A letter may arrive sooner: members don’t always mark a letter as received as soon as it arrives.

🛃 Customs and restrictions

Customs
CN22/CN23 required for goods; gift exemptions may apply.
Restrictions
Batteries, aerosols, foods restricted.

💡 Tips

Post town and postcode must be clear; avoid commas and underlining.
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