How to correctly write a UK address?

[CrimeofPassion]

Okay guys, I am seriously confused! I am sending a fanmail request to the United Kingdom, specifically to the Barbican Centre. However, I am getting mixed answers from USPS, Endicia (an online shipping service) and Google as to how I should actually write their address! I REALLY want to be 110% sure it's correct, so I'm coming to you all for assistance. I'm in the United States, by the way. So right now some of the different addressed I've gotten include:

Barbican Centre
Silk Street
London, England EC2Y
United Kingdom

Barbican Centre
Silk Street
EC2Y 8DS
United Kingdom

Barbican Centre
Silk Street
London, England EC2Y 8DS
GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND

Barbican Centre
Silk Street
London, England EC2Y
GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND

Barbican Centre
Silk Street
London, EC2Y 8DS
England

I can't even find a clear answer as to whether USPS wants you to write "United Kingdom" or "Great Britain and Northern Ireland" (Endicia suggests the latter). Some people are saying the USPS doesn't want you to write "United Kingdom," which is news to me.

Barbican Centre lists their address as follows. I'm not sure what the "underground" part is referring to, but I'm assuming it can be disregarded?

Barbican Centre
Silk Street
London EC2Y 8DS
Underground: Barbican / Moorgate


Can anyone help me?

[Munchausen]

Honestly, it is entirely personal preference; it would be the same thing as an international sender writing "U.S.", "United States", "America", or "North America". Though, only write "Northern Ireland" if it is, in fact, going to Ireland. Good luck!

[CrimeofPassion]

Argh, it just seems so confusing! I had someone from London tell me it should only be:

Barbican Centre
Silk Street
EC2Y 8DS
United Kingdom

But here I thought you'd need a "London" in there somewhere! The Barbican Centre has a "London" in its address on the contact page.

International addresses... Ugh.

[Munchausen]

Yes, you still need the city and country written. For example:

John Smith
48 Penny Lane
London, England W11 2BQ
UK

[CrimeofPassion]

Alright. I'm officially lost. The other person told me not to include "London" OR "England." And they LIVE in London.



These are the two addresses I'm writing to. Is the way they're written below incorrect?

Barbican Centre
Silk Street
London
EC2Y 8AD
United Kingdom

Almeida Theatre
Almeida Street
Islington
London
N1 1TA
United Kingdom

[Munchausen]

Yep, in this case, those are written correctly!

[CrimeofPassion]

OH MY GOD I DID IT? DID I REALLY DO IT RIGHT?! FIVE GOLD STARS FOR ME! :razz:

So no "England" required in the first one. Why is that?

Lord. I thought it was bad enough shipping to/from China when I studied abroad there. I'm just a total moron when it comes to international addresses. I don't know why Endicia wants to change parts of it so badly.

[Munchausen]

While they do look strange, I looked into these addresses and could not find a better way to write them out. Though, more often than not, my example can be used as a template... just not in this case, haha.

[renef09]

OH MY GOD I DID IT? DID I REALLY DO IT RIGHT?! FIVE GOLD STARS FOR ME! :razz:

So no "England" required in the first one. Why is that?

Lord. I thought it was bad enough shipping to/from China when I studied abroad there. I'm just a total moron when it comes to international addresses. I don't know why Endicia wants to change parts of it so badly.

Because if you write the city (London) and below you put United Kingdom, you are making a reference to the whole thing, which includes England. You can put "London, England" anyway, it's correct too.

Also, according to the UPU, you should write the country (whatever country is) in capital letters: "UNITED KINGDOM", and if sending to a country which has a different alphabetical system, write it in its language too: "RUSSIA/??????". I guess this helps for a better administration of mail. Of course, it's not obligatory.

Good luck!