How To Address Your Mail

It is important that all mail sent through the BFPO system is addressed correctly to ensure a smooth delivery to the destination address. The following information is provided as a guide to the Do's and Don'ts when addressing mail to all BFPO numbered locations, including Exercises & Operations

Do's:

1. Use the following format when addressing your mail:

Service No Rank Name
Unit/Regt
Operation Name (If applicable)
BFPO No

For example:
1234567 Pte Joe Bloggs
1st Battalion
Operation HERRICK
BFPO 772

2. Ensure you write a return address on the reverse of the mail item.

3. Write the address clearly in capital letters, this will aid in the automatic sortation equipment reading the address first time and speed your mail arrival.

Don'ts:

1. Do not write any other address details after the BFPO number on the address, as this can lead to mail being diverted to the wrong BFPO location.

For example, the following address will lead to the item being redirected to BFPO 12, Belize:

1234567 Pte Joe Bloggs
1st BattalionOperation Telic
BFPO 641
Op Telic 12

The automatic sortation equipment will read the last line of the address and direct the item to BFPO 12 in Belize.

2. Do not include the destination country in the address. BFPO numbers are similar to a UK postcode whereby the sortation software simply reads the BFPO number and sorts to the appropriate location.

3. Do not use the BFPO headquarters address for onward transmission to the recipient. Royal Mail sortation software will recognise a BFPO address and automatically direct the item to the BFPO sorting office in North London. The item will then be sent to the Returned Letters Branch, if no return address has been supplied the item will be held for a period of 3 months before being destroyed.

4. Do not write any other information on the front of the mail item as this can lead to the item not being automatically sorted and will delay the onward trasmission to the required destination.

5. Do not send items to unnamed individuals i.e. 'To a soldier on the front line'. The free post service for Op KIPION/Op HERRICK and the yearly Christmas Free Post Service to Operations is only available for friends and family of troops serving on operations.