How to Fill in Postal Codes for Overseas Packages?

Hong Kong does not have an official postal code system, but when sending international packages or returning online purchases, you often need to fill in a Hong Kong postal code. This article will answer in detail: What is a Hong Kong postal code? How to correctly fill in a Hong Kong postal code? And what are the considerations when sending packages to the UK, US, Australia, and other countries to ensure your package arrives safely at its overseas destination?

 

What is a Hong Kong Postal Code?

A Hong Kong postal code is a system used for mail processing and sorting, aimed at speeding up mail delivery. However, Hong Kong has not adopted a postal code system similar to other countries. Hong Kong's postal service primarily relies on detailed street names, floor numbers, and door numbers rather than using postal codes.

 

It's worth noting that there are other regions and countries that also don't use postal codes, such as Ireland, Panama, and Jamaica.

 

How to Fill in a Hong Kong Postal Code?

When you need to fill in a Hong Kong postal code on a website, you can:

 

- Leave it blank (if allowed)
- Use "0000" or "000000"

 

It's worth mentioning that China Post once assigned "999077" as a postal code for Hong Kong, but this code has never been officially used locally in Hong Kong. Some cross-border transport companies between China and Hong Kong or European and American international shipping services might use this code.

 

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Why Doesn't Hong Kong Have a Postal Code?

Hong Kong Post chose not to implement a postal code system mainly for the following reasons:

 

1. Advanced mail sorting technology: Hong Kong Post uses an efficient mechanical sorting system that can automatically recognize over 90% of addresses in Chinese and English.
2. Large number of addresses: Hong Kong has over 3 million residential and commercial addresses. Assigning a unique postal code to each address might require a complex 15-digit coding system.
3. Small geographical area with clear postal districts: Hong Kong's address system is very detailed and can accurately pinpoint the location of each building without relying on postal codes.

Overseas Postal Code Systems

Different countries have unique postal code systems:

 

China Postal Code

Consists of six digits. The first two represent the province, the middle two represent the city, and the last two indicate the area. For example, in the code "545001", "54" represents Guangxi Province, "50" indicates Liuzhou City, and "01" is a specific delivery area.

 

UK Postal Code

Contains both letters and numbers. The first one or two letters represent the postal area, followed by a combination of numbers and letters representing the postal district. After a space, a number indicates the postal sector, and the last two letters denote the delivery point. For example, in "B5 4BU", B represents Birmingham, 5 is the district, 4 indicates the postal sector, and BU represents the Bullring delivery point.

 

US Postal Code

ZIP Code (Zone Improvement Plan) is the American postal code system. The basic format consists of 5 digits. The first three digits usually indicate the mail processing center or area, while the last two digits specify the delivery area. Additionally, the ZIP+4 code includes the original 5 digits plus a 4-digit extension, providing more specific address information such as street, building, or apartment number.

 

Australian Postal Code

Australian postal codes consist of 4 digits that designate specific geographic areas. These numbers help in quick mail sorting and accurate delivery. The first one or two digits usually represent the state or territory.

 

Canadian Postal Code

Canadian postal codes, known as Postal Codes, consist of 6 characters in the format letter-number-letter-number-letter-number (e.g., A1A 1A1). Each postal code covers a small geographic area, such as a street or even a single building, which helps improve the accuracy of mail sorting and delivery.

 

Taiwan Postal Code

Taiwan's postal codes are generally 3 or 5 digits, used to distinguish cities, districts, towns, and other geographic units. With the evolution of the postal system, 5-digit postal codes provide more specific geographic location than 3-digit codes.

 

Each country's postal code system has its unique features. Different countries design their postal code formats based on their postal needs, geographical conditions, and administrative divisions. All these systems aim to achieve efficiency and accuracy in mail processing.

 

Difference Between Customs Codes (HS Code) and Postal Codes

Customs codes (Harmonized System Code) differ from postal codes:

 

Postal codes: Used for mail and package classification, processing, and delivery.
HS codes: Used for goods classification and management in international trade, assisting customs with inspection, taxation, and statistics.

 

In March 2023, EU customs regulations were updated, requiring senders to provide detailed product descriptions and HS Codes. To simplify customs clearance, the Fuuffy International Express Price Comparison Platform has introduced an HS Code quick search feature, allowing you to quickly search for HS Codes during electronic customs declaration.

 

 

Conclusion

Although Hong Kong does not have an official postal code system, understanding how to correctly fill in Hong Kong postal codes and other countries' postal code systems is still crucial when sending international packages. Whether you're using Hong Kong Post or other international courier companies, mastering this knowledge can help you complete cross-border package delivery more smoothly.

 

If you're looking for the most cost-effective international courier service, you can use Fuuffy to compare shipping rates and services from major courier companies and find the option that best suits your needs.