LifestyleRoyal Mail Ltd.The important step is forgotten by many13:42, 10 Sep 2026Many of us post letters and parcels, yet there is one step that many people forget. Royal Mail has urged its customers to remember an essential step to take before posting.‌The delivery firm says it is important to follow its advice so that the mail is delivered without issues. It can speed up postage and ensure it arrives at your recipient.‌Royal Mail says you should write your own address on the back of letters or parcels before sending them. If anything happens to the parcel during transport or it cannot be delivered, it will be returned to you.‌The company said: "Remember to include a return address. If for any reason your item can't be delivered, we can send it back to you."Write the words 'return address' on the back of the envelope and underneath that, the actual return address."‌Royal Mail recommend writing your own address on the back, right side of your letter or parcel. Ensure you write "return address" before writing out your address, so it doesn't get confused with the recipient's address.In addition to remembering to include the return address, Royal Mail has laid out guidance on how best to write the address on the front.It said: "Write the address clearly on the front, following our guidelines, and always include a postcode if possible."‌If you don't know the postcode, Royal Mail has its own Postcode Finder that anyone can use to search up to 50 postcodes or addresses for free.How to address a letter or parcelFollowing Royal Mail's advice will ensure a smoother delivery for your item. The name and address of your recipient should go on the bottom left corner of the front of the envelope or parcel.You should write this in clear and easy-to-read handwriting. If printing an address, make sure you select a simple font.Article continues belowUse a pen that contrasts with the colour of the envelope or parcel, and do not use commas or full stops. Make sure you leave a generous margin around the address.Postage should be placed on the top right of the letter or parcel. Royal Mail added: "To protect your privacy and the recipient's, don't put phone numbers or email addresses on the outside of your item."If using a coloured envelope, make sure the address shows up against the colour of it. For example, if you have a red envelope, you could stick a white label on it and write in black ink.Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌Royal Mail Ltd.Royal Mail Limited