How to Send a Package Without a Return Address?

TL;DR

• Postal services allow sending packages without a return address; couriers do not.
• Leaving the return address blank is okay with postal services but not with couriers.
• Any legal address can be used as a return address, including a post office location.
• Avoid sending packages without a return address to prevent delivery issues.

Sometimes, the sender of the package wants to stay anonymous for various reasons and wonders if they can mail something without the return address being visible on the package. In this blog, you will learn all you need to know about using different return addresses when sending international boxes.

Before we tell you how to send your package without a return address, you should find out if you can do it in the first instance.

When using postal services, you can mail something without a return address, whether sending a package or an envelope. However, courier companies will not allow you to send a box with the sender’s details missing.

How to send my package without a return address?

There are several easy steps to send your package without a return address, and here is how:

• Pack your items & place them inside a box.
• Add the recipient’s address.
• Exclude the recipient’s address.
• Take your package to the post office.
• The clerk will measure the parcel and attach any necessary labels and, in most cases, will not ask you for a return address.

The only thing visible to the recipient will be the place of origin, as the post office stamp usually indicates.

The return address is the sender’s address with courier companies, which has to be specified.

You may also be interested in:

• Shipping with Royal Mail
• Shipping with UPS
• Shipping with USPS
• Shipping with FedEx

Can I leave the return address blank?

When you are mailing packages, you can leave the return address field blank. In most instances, when you are sending your parcel the standard way, the clerk will not ask you to fill out the return address field so you can leave it blank.

When using courier services, you cannot leave the sender’s information blank, which usually serves as a return address.

Can I use any address as the return address?

In general, you can use any address as a return address, as long as you are not sending anything illegal. The only difference it makes is in the case that the parcel has to be returned to the shipper. In this case, the package will be sent to the return address you have provided.

Read more about:

• What is a shipping address?
• Can I change the delivery address?
• How can I write the address of a package?

And, can I use the post office location as a return address?

It is not advised, but you can put any address as a return address, including the post office location, when using postal services. If the parcel needs to be returned to the shipper, it will be sent to the post office.

If you are booking shipping services with courier companies, you need to use your own address as the courier driver comes to collect the parcel at that specified location.

Maybe I can use a fake return address?

You can either use a fake return address when using postal services or leave this field blank. Bear in mind that different rules apply when shipping with courier companies, as specified earlier.

If you are curious if you can use a fake name when shipping, then this article is for you!

Is it illegal to put a different return address on a mail?

In general, you can mail something with a different return address, and it will not be considered an illegal act. You just need to specify which different return address you would like your package or envelope to arrive at, in case the parcel needs to be sent back.

Why is it not recommended to send a package without a return address?

Keep in mind that we advise you not to send packages without a return address. Failed delivery attempts may be more common than what you would expect, and in case you leave the address field blank or use a fake return address, the parcel will be sent back to the wrong place.

Therefore, we advise you to ship safely with a return address included! In our network, we have selected the best courier companies to execute your shipping to ensure the best shipping experience for our customers.

How can I send gifts without a return address?

Do you want to surprise someone for their birthday or holiday and send them a gift? The process is pretty much the same as when sending regular packages. In general, the post office will not request that you have a return address when using standard services, so you just need to drop your parcel to the nearest location. When using courier services, you should always have the sender’s details, which serve as a return address unless otherwise specified.

Still have questions?

Check our delivery guides for more information.