How to Post a Parcel Internationally

Despite a lot of our communication having moved online, posting and packaging remains the only way of getting your mail from A to B. However, what you’re sending and where you’re sending to can leave you with a lot to think about when it comes to postage.

Before sending your parcel, you must decide on what stamp and envelope you need. In the  UK, the cost and time of arrival are dependent on which stamp you buy – but when shipping internationally, it can a bit more complicated. This article will give you the ins and outs of sending mail to various locations across the globe.

Sending to Australia

Royal Mail will send parcels and letters anywhere in Australia. You can choose between standard international delivery for low-value items, or have your post internationally tracked with confirmation on delivery to ensure it arrives at its intended destination safe and sound.

How long does post take from the UK to Australia?

Royal Mail offer different services depending on your postage requirements. The list of options to choose from are included below:

How to address a letter to Australia?

You will find all the postage packaging and help you need online or at your local post office.

The postal address can differ between countries, when mailing to Australia you should follow this basic structure:

• The top line should contain the recipient’s full name or company name
• The second line should contain the number and name of the street, PO Box or locked bag number (if applicable)
• The last line should contain the place name or post-delivery, state or territory abbreviation and postcode. This should also be printed in capitals without capitals or punctuation, with the postcode last.
• Add ‘Australia’ in capitals below the last line

Sending to the US

There are several different options available when mailing to the US, if it’s a last-minute birthday present or important work documents you can get it internationally tracked. If there’s no rush, and it’s a low-value item, international standard delivery may be your preferred option.

How long does post take from the UK to the USA?

With each delivery option coming at a different price, with a different delivery time, you can simply choose the best option for you. The services the Royal Mail provide are listed below:

In the US, you can pay to have your postage tracked and signed for, this is valuable if you’re sending a high-priority item.

How to address a letter to the US?

Ensure the address is written clearly and in the right place or you risk it not being delivered. You should print the address nearly in capitals, use a pen or permanent marker, avoid commas, and include the ZIP+4® Code whenever possible.

In the US you should include the recipient and the sender’s address, you should write the recipient’s address in the bottom centre of the envelope.

• The top line should contain the recipient’s full name or company name
• The second line should contain the full street address
• The third line should include the apartment or suite number, if applicable
• The last line should include the city, state, and ZIP+4 Code
• Add ‘United States of America’ below the last line

The sender’s address belongs in the top-left corner, this follows the same format as the recipient’s address, with the correct details.

Sending to Canada

Neighbours to the US, but with slightly different postage guidelines. Royal Mail offers deliveries to anywhere in Canada, choose from locations such as Quebec, Vancouver, Toronto, Nova Scotia, and anywhere in-between.

How long does post take from the UK to Canada?

Canada’s pricing is almost identical to the US, you can choose from internationally tracked and signed for fast and secure delivery, or economy if you’re looking for a cheap option.

You have the same services available as in the US, however, sending economy to Canada could take up to six weeks longer so you need to consider how quickly you want your item to arrive at its destination.

How to address a letter to Canada?

Postal services in Canada prefer all addresses to be written in uppercase or block letters, what to write is included below:

• The top line should include the name of the recipient
• The second line should include any other additional address lines, such as the hotel, business, or department name
• The third line should include the apartment number and street address (Canadian addresses do not include punctuation)
• The last line should include the city, province and postal code
• Add ‘Canada’ below the last line

The address should all be printed in the middle front portion of the envelope.

Sending to Europe

Royal Mail will provide delivery to anywhere in Europe. You can choose from the same services available to Australia, US and Canada, but prices are cheaper because your parcel doesn’t have to travel as far. Prices vary depending on where you’re sending and the weight of your post – but if you’re sending to the likes of France, Germany or Spain, all pricing is the same.

How much is postage to Europe?

If you’re sending to Western Europe, pricing and time of delivery are generally the same. Here are the different services available:

You may want to double check this pricing and delivery time if you’re sending further afield in Europe.

This article talks you through some of the options when sending a parcel internationally. Postage is available all over the world but it’s important you understand the different services available so you can make the best decision on how to send your item overseas.