Royal Mail is advising customers to add a return address to every envelope, writing the two words 'Return Address' followed by their name and address underneath. The guidance is intended to help undelivered items find their way back to the sender.
Why a return address matters
The simple addition can make a difference if a letter or parcel cannot reach its destination. Royal Mail's own advice says a return address can be added to the back of an envelope if you want undelivered mail returned.
The label helps identify the sender's details rather than leaving them to be confused with the address of the person receiving the item. For ordinary letters, the back of the envelope is a sensible place to put the information, keeping it separate from the recipient's address on the front.
How to write it correctly
Write 'Return Address' clearly, then put your full return address underneath, including the postcode. If you choose to put the return address on the front instead, make sure it is clearly separated from the recipient's details and does not interfere with the main delivery address.
The key is to make it obvious which address is for the person sending the item and which is for the person receiving it. Royal Mail also advises customers to write the recipient's address clearly, with each part on its own line, and to include a postcode where possible.
Impact on delivery
Its guidance says postcodes help sorting machines work efficiently, while missing postcode information can mean a card takes longer to arrive. Adding a return address is not a guarantee that every missing or delayed item will make it back to you, but it provides an important extra route if delivery fails.
