BFPO addresses let people send mail to British Forces personnel anywhere in the world without knowing the actual overseas location. The BFPO number tells the system where to route the item.
How a BFPO address is structured
- Recipient name and rank/service details
- Unit or operation name
- BFPO number (e.g. BFPO 801)
- Often a BF1 postcode for system compatibility
Handling BFPO in your forms
Allow BF1 postcodes and BFPO numbers so military customers aren't blocked at checkout. Pair this with UK address verification for standard addresses.
More address types
Return to the PAF guide hub for more on UK address data.
Frequently asked questions
What is a BFPO address?
BFPO (British Forces Post Office) addresses route mail to UK military personnel and their families at bases and operations around the world, using a BFPO number instead of a standard postcode.
How does a BFPO address work?
Mail is addressed to the recipient with a BFPO number; Royal Mail and the BFPO system handle onward delivery, so the sender doesn't need the overseas location.
Do BFPO addresses use normal postcodes?
BFPO addresses use BFPO numbers and may also have a special postcode format (BF1 postcodes) introduced to work with standard address systems.
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