Royal Mail has reminded customers to add a return address before sending letters or parcels, helping undelivered items make their way back to the sender.
The postal company says many people forget this detail, which can create problems when an item cannot reach its destination.
A Return Address Can Help Recover Undelivered Mail
According to The Mirror, Royal Mail has urged senders to include their own address on the back of envelopes and parcels before posting them.
A return address gives Royal Mail a way to send an item back if delivery fails. The company said: “Remember to include a return address. If for any reason your item can’t be delivered, we can send it back to you.
“Write the words ‘return address’ on the back of the envelope and underneath that, the actual return address.”
The sender’s details should be placed on the back right side of the letter or parcel. Royal Mail recommends writing the words “return address” first to avoid confusion with the recipient’s details.
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Royal Mail Shares Guidance For Writing Addresses Correctly
The postal service has also reminded customers to make recipient addresses clear and easy to read. It said: “Write the address clearly on the front, following our guidelines, and always include a postcode if possible.”
The recipient’s name and address should appear in the bottom left corner on the front of the item. Royal Mail advises using clear handwriting or a simple printed font, with enough space around the address to make it easy for sorting systems to read.
Senders should also use ink that contrasts with the envelope or parcel colour and avoid adding commas or full stops to the address.
Customers Should Avoid Adding Private Contact Details
Royal Mail has warned customers not to place personal contact information on the outside of mail items. Royal Mail added: “To protect your privacy and the recipient’s, don’t put phone numbers or email addresses on the outside of your item.”
Postage should be positioned in the top right corner of the letter or parcel. Customers using coloured envelopes should make sure the address remains visible, such as adding a white label to a red envelope and writing with black ink.
Royal Mail also provides a Postcode Finder service that allows users to search up to 50 postcodes or addresses for free.
The company continues to advise customers to include a return address before sending letters and parcels so undeliverable items can be returned.
