How to Address an International Letter to Marshall Islands

Addressing a letter to the Marshall Islands requires adherence to a specific format that includes a ZIP Code, as the country is part of the United States postal system. The Marshall Islands uses U.S. ZIP Codes and follows U.S. address formats, especially for mail sent from abroad. This guide provides the correct formats for residential, business, rural, PO Box, and military addresses, along with special considerations for government offices, NGOs, and courier services.

Standard Address Format in the Marshall Islands

The typical format for addressing a letter to the Marshall Islands includes the following elements:

1. Recipient Name: The full name of the person or business receiving the letter.
2. Street Address or PO Box (P.O. Box): The recipient’s street address or Post Office Box number.
3. City/Island and ZIP Code: The name of the city or island, followed by the ZIP Code (which is a U.S. ZIP Code).
4. Country: Always include “MARSHALL ISLANDS” in capital letters on the last line for international mail.

Detailed Format Breakdown

1. Recipient Name
   The recipient’s full name should be written on the first line. For business addresses, include the company name first, followed by the recipient’s name or department.

   Example:
   Jiro Kabua
   or
   ABC Corporation
   Attn: Jiro Kabua

2. Street Address or PO Box (P.O. Box)
   Provide the street name and house/building number for residential or business addresses. If the recipient uses a Post Office Box, write “P.O. Box” followed by the box number.

   Example:
   123 Lagoon Road
   or
   P.O. Box 456

3. City/Island and ZIP Code
   The Marshall Islands uses U.S. ZIP Codes, with the two primary codes being 96960 (for Majuro) and 96970 (for Kwajalein). Always include the correct ZIP Code.

   Example:
   Majuro, MH 96960
   or
   Kwajalein, MH 96970

4. Country Name
   For international mail, always write “MARSHALL ISLANDS” in capital letters on the last line.

   Example:
   MARSHALL ISLANDS

Residential Address Format

For residential addresses, include the recipient’s name, street address or PO Box, city/island, ZIP Code, and country.

Example:
Jiro Kabua
123 Lagoon Road
Majuro, MH 96960
MARSHALL ISLANDS

Business Address Format

For business addresses, include the company name on the first line, followed by the recipient’s name or department. The rest of the address follows the standard format.

Example:
ABC Corporation
Attn: Jiro Kabua
123 Lagoon Road
Majuro, MH 96960
MARSHALL ISLANDS

PO Box Address Format

For letters sent to a Post Office Box, replace the street address with “P.O. Box” followed by the appropriate box number.

Example:
Jiro Kabua
P.O. Box 123
Kwajalein, MH 96970
MARSHALL ISLANDS

Rural Address Format

In rural areas or remote islands where formal street names may not exist, include the name of the village or settlement, followed by the nearest larger island, ZIP Code, and country.

Example:
Maria Loeak
Village of Ebeye
Kwajalein, MH 96970
MARSHALL ISLANDS

Military Address Format

For military personnel stationed in the Marshall Islands, particularly on Kwajalein, mail follows the U.S. military address format using the APO (Army Post Office) or FPO (Fleet Post Office) system.

Example:
Rank and Full Name
PSC 701, Box 123
APO, AP 96555
MARSHALL ISLANDS

Government Office Address

For mail addressed to government offices in the Marshall Islands, include the name of the office or department before the street address or PO Box.

Example:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
123 Government Road
Majuro, MH 96960
MARSHALL ISLANDS

International Addressing for NGOs and Organizations

For international organizations or NGOs operating in the Marshall Islands, include the organization’s name and specific department.

Example:
UNICEF Marshall Islands
Attn: Education Services
123 Lagoon Road
Majuro, MH 96960
MARSHALL ISLANDS

Addressing for Courier vs. Postal Services

When using courier services such as DHL or FedEx, include additional contact details such as phone numbers, as couriers may require specific delivery instructions, especially for remote islands.

Example (Courier):
Jiro Kabua
123 Lagoon Road
Majuro, MH 96960
MARSHALL ISLANDS
Phone: +692 625 1234

Addressing for Multiple Recipients

When addressing a letter to multiple recipients at the same address, list the names on separate lines.

Example (Family):
The Kabua Family
P.O. Box 789
Majuro, MH 96960
MARSHALL ISLANDS

Example (Business Department):
ABC Corporation
Attn: Finance Department
P.O. Box 789
Majuro, MH 96960
MARSHALL ISLANDS

Special Considerations

• ZIP Codes: The Marshall Islands uses U.S. ZIP Codes for mail delivery. Ensure you use the correct ZIP Code for Majuro (96960) or Kwajalein (96970).

• Military Addresses: For military personnel on Kwajalein, use the U.S. APO/FPO system to ensure timely delivery.

• Language: Marshallese and English are the official languages of the Marshall Islands. For international mail, write “MARSHALL ISLANDS” in capital letters for the country name.

Commonly Accepted Abbreviations

• P.O. Box for Post Office Box
• MH for Marshall Islands (in the U.S. ZIP Code format)
• APO/FPO for military addresses

Key Tips for Formatting

• Capitalization: Write the address in capital letters for clarity and legibility.
• Left Alignment: Ensure that all lines of the address are left-aligned for ease of reading and postal processing.
• Phone Number for Couriers: Providing a contact phone number is recommended for courier services, especially for remote islands.
• ZIP Code Usage: Always include the correct ZIP Code (96960 or 96970) for timely and accurate delivery.