How should I address my parcel for delivery to the USA?

24th June 2022, 2:02pm in Shipping Advice by Amy Newham

Are you planning to ship a package or letter to the USA from the UK? With over 50 states spanning over 3.8 million square miles, it's essential to know how to correctly address your parcel to the United States to avoid confusion!

Read our handy guide below and learn the proper way to write an American address. You can instantly generate a list of parcel delivery prices with our online quote tool!

US address format

The main differences with the United States of America's addressing system are the two-letter state abbreviation and the use of nine-digit ZIP codes instead of a postcode. We've provided an example of a UK address format and an American address so you can see the difference:

UK address format:

John Bloggs

1 Interparcel Lane

Gatwick

Crawley

RH10 9RD

US address format:

John Bloggs

123 Interparcel Street

Detroit MI 48201

USA

How do you write an American address internationally?

Step 1

After the recipient or company name, you must write the building number and street name, e.g., 123 Interparcel Street. Some addresses may require further details like the apartment, suite, floor, etc., which should be placed at the end of the line.

Step 2

It's important to note where the destination village or town is located to reduce the risk of the package getting lost. It would be best to refer to the list of 50 US states with their corresponding abbreviations, e.g., NY is New York, CA is California, FL Is Florida etc. Our example shows MI, short for Michigan.

The ZIP code is a nine-digit number. The first 5 digits need to be separated from the following 4 digits using a dash. The first digit represents the national area, the second and third digits represent the region, and the last two digits are the delivery area. Typically, only the first 5 digits are required for delivery.

Step 3

When you write an American address, the town, state and ZIP code must appear on the same line. The destination country should then sit underneath.

Please note: We can only deliver to a full street address. We cannot deliver to a PO Box or BFPO address.

How easy is it to send a parcel to the USA with Interparcel?

Over 15 years of experience shipping worldwide

With over 200 countries and territories around the world to choose from, we can guide you from booking right through to delivery. Our easy online booking system takes you through each field required, whether you have selected a Collection or Drop Off service.

Automatic address format

When you book a parcel delivery to the USA, we require the Delivery City or ZIP code first so our system can format the address correctly. The receiver's telephone number and email address are also required if the courier needs to contact them about their shipment. American phone numbers start with the international dialling code 1, followed by a 3-digit area code and 7-digit telephone number.

You can opt in to our email or SMS notifications to keep you or your recipient updated during the shipping process.

Simplified Customs Invoice

Since the USA is outside of the UK, you'll need to accurately fill in a Customs Invoice with information regarding your parcel and its contents. We simplify filling out Customs forms during the booking process, where you'll be required to fill in the necessary fields. A copy will be emailed to you with the booking confirmation and this will need to be printed and securely attached to your parcel. If you're unsure, you can read our blog on Customs forms.

Why use Interparcel to ship a parcel to the USA?

America is one of our most popular shipping destinations, so we have negotiated some of the best prices to the United States of America with reputable couriers like Landmark Global, Parcelforce and FedEx. Enter your parcel dimensions and weight into our online quote tool to receive a list of discounted Economy and Express delivery services.

When you create a free account with Interparcel, you'll also benefit from features such as: