How to Format Your Shipping Address for FedEx, UPS, and DHL Deliveries
Nothing stalls a delivery faster than a messy label. Whether you are shipping a time-sensitive contract via FedEx, a heavy equipment part through UPS, or an international gift via DHL, the way you format the address determines if the package lands on a doorstep or in a "dead letter" bin.
In the world of private couriers, precision is the primary requirement. Unlike the postal service, which might rely on a local mail carrier's memory, private drivers depend on digital scanning systems and GPS. A single misplaced suite number or a missing directional (like "North" vs. "South") can trigger an expensive address correction fee or a delivery exception.
Here is exactly how to format your shipping addresses to ensure a smooth, professional delivery experience every time.
The Standard Residential Format
For a standard home delivery within the United States, the goal is clarity and scannability. Most carriers prefer a three-line or four-line structure.
Line 1: Recipient’s Full Name
Line 2: Street Number, Directional (if any), Street Name, and Suffix
Line 3: Apartment, Unit, or Suite Number (if applicable)
Line 4: City, State (2-letter abbreviation), and 5-digit ZIP Code
Pro Tip: If you are tight on space, you can combine the street address and the apartment number on a single line, separated by a comma or a pound sign (e.g., 123 Main St, Apt 4B).
Formatting for Business and B2B Shipments
Shipping to an office building or a corporate campus requires extra data points. If a driver enters a lobby with 50 different businesses, they need to know exactly where to go.
Line 1: Recipient’s Full Name (or "ATTN: Name")
Line 2: Legal Company Name
Line 3: Building Address and Suite/Floor Number
Line 4: City, State, and ZIP Code
Why the Company Name Matters: Carriers like FedEx and UPS often classify addresses as "Commercial" or "Residential." Including the business name ensures the system applies the correct delivery window (usually 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM) and avoids residential delivery surcharges.
International Shipping with DHL and FedEx Express
When your package crosses borders, the address format must adapt to the destination country’s standards. However, some universal rules apply to help customs agents and international couriers.
Use All Caps: Many international sorting machines read uppercase letters more accurately.
Phone Numbers are Mandatory: Unlike domestic mail, international shipments almost always require a recipient’s phone number and email. This allows customs to contact them for duties and taxes.
Country Name on the Last Line: Always write the destination country in English on the very last line of the address block.
Example International Format:
JANE DOE
27 KINGS COLLEGE CIR
TORONTO ON M5S 1A1
CANADA
Special Considerations for Private Carriers
Apartment and Suite Numbers
This is the most common point of failure. If you are shipping to a multi-unit building, never leave the unit number for the "Special Instructions" box. It must be part of the address lines. Systems used by UPS and FedEx may ignore the instructions box during the initial automated sorting phase, leading to the package being marked as "Incomplete Address."
Avoiding Punctuation
While it feels natural to put a period after "St." or a comma after the city, modern logistics experts recommend leaving them out. Punctuation can occasionally be misread by optical character recognition (OCR) software as a stray mark or a different character.
Better: 123 Main St Apt 4
Avoid: 123 Main St., Apt. #4
The "Hold at Location" Address
If you are using a service like FedEx Hold at Location, you do not use the recipient’s home address. Instead, use the address of the participating Walgreens, Dollar General, or FedEx Office, but keep the recipient’s name as the primary addressee.
Common Abbreviations for Faster Processing
To keep your labels clean and professional, use the standardized abbreviations recognized by most global shipping systems:
| Full Term | Abbreviation |
| Apartment | APT |
| Avenue | AVE |
| Building | BLDG |
| Boulevard | BLVD |
| Court | CT |
| Drive | DR |
| Floor | FL |
| Highway | HWY |
| Number | # |
| Street | ST |
| Suite | STE |
| Unit | UNIT |
Summary of Best Practices
Print, Don't Write: Whenever possible, use a printed shipping label. If you must hand-write, use a black permanent marker and block letters.
Check the ZIP+4: Using the extended four-digit ZIP code helps carriers pinpoint the exact side of the street or the specific floor of a building.
Validate Before Shipping: Most carrier websites offer a free "Address Validation" tool. Use it to ensure the street name exists and the ZIP code matches the city.
By following these formatting standards, you reduce the risk of delays, avoid "Address Correction" fees (which can exceed $20 per package), and ensure your shipment reaches its destination on the first attempt.
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