How to address BFPO mail

Write the address clearly in capital letters, keeping exactly to the format for the role of the person you’re posting to. Write a return address on the back of the mail. You should use the BFPO number to address mail. If you use a BFPO postcode instead of a BFPO number, it will still arrive but it may take longer. If you’re posting mail from outside the UK, write ‘GB’ after the BFPO number or postcode. Your mail may be delayed or sent to the wrong place if you: include the location (such as the town or country) in the address when using a BFPO number write anything else on the packaging Address format for service personnel SERVICE NUMBER, RANK and NAME UNIT or REGIMENT OPERATION BARRACKS or CAMP or RAF STATION or NAVAL SHIP (if applicable) BFPO number Address format for family Use this format if the item is for a dependant of a serving member of HM Forces. NAME OF DEPENDANT C/O SERVICE NUMBER, RANK and NAME UNIT or REGIMENT OPERATION BARRACKS or CAMP or RAF STATION or NAVAL SHIP (if applicable) BFPO number Address format for non-service personnel Use this format if the item is for an employee of the Ministry of Defence ( MOD ), or another official organisation, who’s entitled to use BFPO . STAFF NUMBER (if available) NAME UNIT/DEPARTMENT (school name) BARRACKS or CAMP or RAF STATION or NAVAL SHIP (if applicable) BFPO number

You’ll need to make a customs declaration if you’re sending something outside of the UK. Parcels are delivered by Royal Mail although you can use ParcelForce if you have a business account with them. You must include: form CN22 - for contents worth up to £270 form CN23 - for contents worth more than £270 For parcels over 2kg, you must include a form PFU 509/CP72 with these - get one from your local Post Office .

Cost, size and weight

The cost of using British Forces Post Office ( BFPO ) depends on the size and weight of the letter or parcel you’re sending. You might be able to send mail for free using the enduring families free mail service . Standard letter Length: up to 240mm Width: up to 165mm Thickness: up to 5mm Weight range Cost Up to 100g £0.95 Large letter Length: up to 353mm Width: up to 250mm Thickness: up to 25mm Weight range Cost Up to 100g £1.45 101g to 250g £2.05 251g to 500g £2.65 501g to 750g £3.30 Small parcels Length: up to 450mm Width: up to 350mm Thickness: up to 160mm Weight range Cost Up to 2kg £4.45 If you’re sending a cylindrical parcel, double the diameter and add this to the length. The total cannot be more than 1,040mm. The biggest dimension cannot be more than 900mm. Medium parcels (Royal Mail) The medium parcels service is available at Forces Post Offices and UK Post Office branches. Add up the length, width and depth. This cannot be more than 900mm. Weight range Cost Up to 2kg £6.95 Up to 10kg £7.95 Up to 20kg £12.95 Worldwide parcels You can send parcels to a BFPO address outside of the UK over a UK Post Office counter or from a Forces Post Office using Royal Mail. Parcels can be up to 20kg. You can no longer use ParcelForce to send parcels outside of the UK unless you have a business account with them. If you have an account, you can send parcels up to 30kg. Cost depends on the size of the parcel. Maximum weight Cost Up to 2kg (small) £4.45 Up to 2kg (medium) £6.95 Up to 10kg £7.95 Up to 20kg £12.95 Compensation, insurance and special delivery Read the section on compensation in the BFPO service guide for items that are lost or damaged.

You cannot send some items with British Forces Post Office mail, including: alcoholic beverages arms and ammunition batteries Christmas crackers financial documents fragile items indecent, obscene or offensive articles prescription medicines and drugs sent for scientific purposes pressurised containers (including aerosols like deodorants and shaving foams or gels) sharp objects and instruments (including scissors and kitchen knives or utensils) Read the section on restricted and prohibited items in the BFPO service guide for the full list of items you cannot send. If you send these items, your whole parcel may be delayed or returned to you.

Use the enduring families free mail service

You can send letters (also known as ‘blueys’) and parcels for free to service personnel who are on certain ships or operations through the enduring families free mail service. Check which operations and ships are eligible . You must only use this service to send mail to people that you know. How to use the service Address your letter or parcel using the same address format as other British Forces Post Office mail . You must include: a return address a customs declaration form marking the letter or parcel as a ‘welfare gift’ Post it at either a post box or a Post Office. Size and weight Your letter or parcel must be at least 9cm by 14cm. The length, depth and width must not add up to more than 90cm. A single side must not be more than 60cm. Your parcel must not weigh more than 2kg. What you cannot send You cannot send: anything worth more than £30 certain items

Contacts and enquiries

Read the guidance about what to do if your mail has not arrived within 30 days . desbfpo-enquiries@mod.gov.uk Telephone: +44 (0)345 769 7978 (calls are charged at local rate in the UK) Alternative: +44 (0)20 8589 3450 (civil) or 94676 3450 (military) Monday to Thursday, 8am to 3:30pm (except bank holidays) Friday, 8am to 2:30pm (except bank holidays) Fax: +44 (0)20 8589 3309 BFPO Enquiries HQ BFPO West End Road Ruislip HA4 6DQ Other ways to get support BFPO is also on: Twitter Facebook

Send mail with the British Forces Post Office (BFPO)

Q: Find a BFPO number

You can use the British Forces Post Office ( BFPO ) if you’re sending mail to: serving armed forces personnel and their families an employee of the Ministry of Defence ( MOD ), or another official organisation, who’s entitled to use BFPO You should only use BFPO to send mail to someone you know - there are other ways to support members of the armed forces . Check the announcements section of the BFPO service guide for updates to postal services, including changes to services because of Christmas, coronavirus or problems like severe weather or industrial action. BFPO numbers See a list of all BFPO locations with their numbers.

Find a BFPO number

You can use the British Forces Post Office (BFPO) if you’re sending mail to:

serving armed forces personnel and their families
an employee of the Ministry of Defence (MOD), or another official organisation, who’s entitled to use BFPO

You should only use BFPO to send mail to someone you know - there are other ways to support members of the armed forces.

Check the announcements section of the BFPO service guide for updates to postal services, including changes to services because of Christmas, coronavirus or problems like severe weather or industrial action.

BFPO numbers

See a list of all BFPO locations with their numbers.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Send mail with the British Forces Post Office (BFPO)

Find a BFPO number

BFPO numbers

Is this page useful?

Help us improve GOV.UK

Help us improve GOV.UK

Cookies on GOV.UK

Send mail with the British Forces Post Office (BFPO)

Find a BFPO number

BFPO numbers

Related content

Is this page useful?

Help us improve GOV.UK

Help us improve GOV.UK