Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba are three islands located in the Caribbean Sea, which are collectively known as the BES islands. These islands are special municipalities of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, situated in the Lesser Antilles region.

They are located outside of the European Union but are integral parts of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. This means they are subject to Dutch sovereignty, but their relationship with the EU differs from that of the Netherlands’ European territories.

The islands are politically separate from the main Dutch territory in Europe, each governed by a local council, but with the Dutch government responsible for foreign affairs, defense, and overall governance.

People within the address format vary based on historical, cultural, and practical factors that shape the postal systems and local conventions. Historically part of the Dutch Caribbean colony, Bonaire has a more standardized postal system compared to its neighbors. However, the island’s early reliance on Dutch postal norms mixed with local influences means that the address format may occasionally reflect older Dutch conventions.

Additionally, being a former British colony before becoming part of the Netherlands Antilles, Sint Eustatius may have adopted address formats that combine British colonial postal systems with the local Caribbean traditions. This can lead to inconsistencies in the way addresses are written.

Moreover, there are different types of addresses, each with its specific element requirements. If you need to mail a client or customer in Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba but are unsure of the correct address format, we can assist you. We have listed all the different types of addresses, along with their formats and examples.

Recipient Name

In the first line, write the recipient’s full name. If you are sending the mail to a business, the company name will appear in the first line. Write the person’s name and department in the second and third lines. Add ATTN. in front of the person’s name to ensure the internal mail distribution system sends the mail to the correct office and desk.

Street Address

In the second line, write the street name followed by the building or house number of the residential or business address. If the recipient uses a P.O. box, write “P.O. BOX” followed by the box number.

City

Write the name of the city where the person lives. Some of the major cities in Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba are Kralendijk, Rincon and Oranjestad.

Country Name

Write the name of the country in the last line. When sending international mail to Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba, write the country’s name in capital letters.

Residential Address Format

Write the recipient’s name, street address, P.O. box number, street address, city, and country.

Rural Address Format

Typically, the streets in rural areas of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba do not have a formal name. In this case, write the name of the village or the settlement, followed by the nearest larger town or city. Add the rest of the address elements in the same way as the residential address.

Business Address Format

Instead of the recipient’s name in the residential address, write the company’s name in the first line. Write the person’s name in the second line, and add their department in the third line.

International Address Format for NGOs and Organizations

Write the organization’s name in the first line and the specific department in the second line. Place all the other address components, except the recipient’s name, in the same way as the residential address.

P.O. Box Address Format

Instead of the street address, write the term “P.O. box” and then the box number in the residential address.

Government Office Address Format

Instead of the recipient’s name, write the office and department names in the residential address on the first and second lines.

Address Format for Multiple Recipients

If you want to mail multiple people in the same household or business, you should write each name on separate lines of the residential and business addresses.

Address Format for Courier Services

If you send mail using courier services like DHL or FedEx, add the recipient’s contact details to the end of the residential address. Delivery agents can call them if they cannot find the address.

The postal services in Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba are managed through the Dutch postal system, with operations handled by PostNL. Despite these islands being part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, they are geographically located outside of Europe, so their postal services are customized to fit local needs while adhering to international postal standards.

PostNL provides a range of services across the islands, including domestic and international mail, parcel services, and bulk mail. Domestic mail services cover regular personal and business correspondence. 

For international mail, PostNL handles both inbound and outbound shipments, with the Netherlands acting as the main logistical hub. Parcel services are essential for e-commerce businesses on the islands, offering tracking, delivery, and return options. Additionally, PostNL facilitates bulk mail services, which are particularly important for businesses that need to send large volumes of mail.

You have learned how to structure the address format for a recipient in Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba. However, you need a verified address to ensure your address reaches the intended recipient. The PostGrid Address Verification solution verifies, standardizes, and offers real-time address autocomplete suggestions. Whether you want to verify a single or bulk address, we provide correct, complete, and up-to-date addresses in sync with the official postal service provider for over 245 countries and territories.

If you are curious about the format of any other country, visit our global address format page and learn the format followed in countries across the world.