How to Prepare, Address and Send International Mail from the U.S.
Learn how to prepare, address and send international mail from the United States — the right way.
Are you mailing prohibited items? Do you know what items have restrictions? Do you know how to correctly address international mail?
The United States Postal Service (USPS) ships mail to more than 190 countries. For mail to safely arrive to its destination, we must obey the U.S. laws and regulations governing domestic and international mail, but we must also comply with country-specific mailing conditions. In addition, we need to correctly write the mailing address, delivery address and affix the right amount for postage.
In this post, I’m going to show you how to prepare, address and send international mail from the United States.
Step 1. Read Domestic and International Restrictions
Most people know that beer, wine and liquor are prohibited from being sent through the U.S. mail, but they might not know that boxes with alcoholic beverage labels are also prohibited unless the logos and labels are covered or removed. That’s why it’s important to read the U.S. Postal Service’s domestic and international restrictions before sending mail.
Prohibited Domestic Items
❌ Aerosols
❌ Alcoholic Beverages
❌ Cigarettes, Cigars and Tobacco
❌ Cremated Remains
❌ Dry Ice
❌ Firearms
❌ Fragile Items
❌ Glues
❌ Hand Sanitizers
❌ Lithium Batteries
❌ Live Animals
❌ Matches
❌ Medicines, Prescription Drugs
❌ Nail Polish
❌ Paint
❌ Perfumes
❌ Perishable Items
❌ Poisons
Prohibited International Items
❌ Aerosols
❌ Air Bags
❌ Alcoholic Beverages
❌ Ammunition
❌ Cigarettes
❌ Dry Ice
❌ Explosives
❌ Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
❌ Gasoline
❌ Marijuana (medical or otherwise)
❌ Nail Polish
❌ Perfumes (containing alcohol)
❌ Poisons
Step 2. Read Country-Specific Restrictions
The USPS considers meat to be perishable matter that can be sent at the mailer’s risk, but some countries (e.g. Japan), prohibit the delivery of meat products through the mail unless accompanied by an inspection certificate from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
So, you need to first understand what can be sent domestically in the U.S., then find out if the destination country has any prohibitions or restrictions on the item(s) you’re sending. Before mailing anything internationally — read the mailing conditions of the destination.
The USPS provides a database of Individual Country Listings (ICLs) that outlines prohibitions, restrictions, postage prices, extra services and more.
Step 3. Write the Recipient’s Full Name
Once you’ve reviewed the domestic and country-specific restrictions and can mail your item(s)—it’s time to address the mail.
Left justify and write in pen or print on the same side of the postcard, envelope or package that will bear the postage. Use uppercase Roman letters and Arabic numerals. When printing, use a sans serif typeface (e.g. Helvetica, Arial) with a minimum of 6-point type for uppercase letters.
Option A (English)
Write the recipient’s first name, middle initial (if applicable) and last name. Their name should correspond to the recipient’s government-issued identification.
Option B (English + Interline Translation)
If writing the recipient’s full legal name in Russian, Greek, Arabic, Hebrew, Cyrillic, Chinese or Japanese — write an interline English translation in uppercase letters.
If the English translation is unknown, the foreign language words must appear in Roman letters, such as pinyin for Chinese and romaji for Japanese.
Step 4. Write the Recipient’s Complete Address
Write the recipient’s complete address in uppercase Roman letters and Arabic numerals.
Special characters and punctuation should be omitted like ampersands and commas. However, characters that are commonly used in the destination country’s system of addressing are accepted like the hyphens in Japanese addresses or the hyphens in postal codes.
Use USPS-approved street suffix abbreviations as well as approved secondary unit designators for apartments, suites, floors, etc.
Step 5. Write the Recipient’s City, Administrative Division and Postal Code
Write the city, administrative division (e.g. state, province, prefecture) and postal code in uppercase Roman letters and Arabic numerals.
For Canada, include two spaces between the province’s abbreviation and the postal code (e.g. CAMBRIDGE ON N3C 4J7).
Step 6. Write the Recipient’s Country
Write the recipient’s country in uppercase Roman letters on the last line. Do not underline the country. While the USA is a commonly accepted abbreviation, other country names should be written in full.
If possible, keep the delivery address to a maximum of 5 lines. Of course, interline translations will have more lines.
Step 7. Write the Sender’s Return Address
The return address informs foreign post offices and the USPS where the mail should be returned if it cannot be delivered.
In the upper left corner, left justify and write in pen or print on the same side of the postcard, envelope or package that will bear the postage. Use uppercase Roman letters and Arabic numerals. When printing, use a sans serif typeface (e.g. Helvetica, Arial) with a minimum of 6-point type for uppercase letters.
Format
Sender’s Full Name
Complete Address
City, State, ZIP+4 Code
USA
Step 8. Choose a USPS Service
The USPS provides a convenient postage price calculator on its website for calculating the postage price of postcards, envelopes, boxes and other shapes and sizes. Affix the correct postage amount in the upper right corner.
First-Class Mail International
- From $1.20
- Delivery Time Varies by Destination
Priority Mail International
- From $26.90
- 6–10 Business Days
Priority Mail Express International
- From $45.95
- 3–5 Business Days
Global Express Guaranteed
- From $67.80
- 1–3 Business Days
First-Class Package International Service
- From $12.25
- Delivery Time Varies by Destination
Airmail M-Bags
- From $51.70
- Delivery Time Varies by Destination
Step 9. Send Your Mail
You’re now ready to send your mail! Take it to a USPS location, drop it into a blue collection box, schedule a free pickup or leave it in the outgoing mail in your home’s mailbox.
Tips for Mailing Packages
- Use durable packaging to prevent deterioration, breakage or injury while in transport.
- If necessary, mark packages FRAGILE or PERISHABLE.
- If reusing a box, ensure all previous addresses are blacked out or covered up.
- If using a beer, wine or liquor box, ensure logos and labels are blacked out or covered up.
- Visit USPS for free shipping supplies.
Tips for Customs Declaration Forms and Shipping Labels
- First-Class Mail International and Priority Mail International Flat Rate don’t require customs forms.
- Customs forms are available at the U.S. post offices.
- To save time, improve legibility and reduce reading errors, use electronically generated USPS customs form and shipping labels.
- To complete a customs form, you need the recipient’s address, content’s value and weight, package’s total weight and value as well as a shipping service.
- Ensure your address on the customs form matches the return address on your mail.
Final Thoughts
You just learned how to prepare, address and send international mail from the United States. Whether you’re sending letters, postcards, birthday cards, packages or something else, follow these steps to save time, money and ensure your mail is deliverable.
