Guinea-Bissau is a small West African country located along the Atlantic Ocean. It lies between Senegal to the north and Guinea to the south and east. Its western border is a coastline stretching along the Atlantic, providing access to rich marine resources and trade routes. 

People within the country write the address formats in different ways. It has a limited and inconsistent addressing system, especially outside the capital, Bissau. In many rural areas and small towns, there are no formal street names or house numbers, so people rely on descriptive landmarks, nearby institutions, or community names to give directions. As a result, addresses often include references like “near the mosque” or “behind the market,” which vary from person to person.

Additionally, the country’s colonial legacy has left a mix of Portuguese-influenced formats alongside local naming customs. Some people may follow more formal Portuguese-style addresses, particularly in government or official contexts. In contrast, others write in informal or regional styles that are more understandable to residents but not standardized.

Moreover, there are different types of addresses, each with its specific element requirements. If you need to mail a client or customer in Guinea-Bissau 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. You can add honorific titles like “Sr.” and “Sra.” for “Mr.” and “Mrs.,” respectively. 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 apartment number of the residential or business address. If the recipient uses a P.O. box, write “Caixa Postal” (Portuguese for P.O. box) followed by the box number.

Postal Code and City

In the third line, write the four-digit postal code, followed by the name of the city. Some famous towns of Guinea-Bissau are Bissau, Bafatá, Gabú, and Canchungo.

Country Name

Write the name of the country in the last line. If you send international mail to Guinea-Bissau, write the name in capital letters.

Residential Address Format

Write the recipient’s name, street address, P.O. box number, postal code, city, and country name. Except for the postal code and city, every address element will be listed on a separate line.

Rural Address Format

Typically, the streets in rural areas of Guinea-Bissau 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 remaining address elements in the same manner 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 on the second line and add their department on 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 “Caixa Postal” and then the box number in the residential address.

Military Address Format

The address format follows the same structure as the residential address format, except for the first two lines. In the first line, write the rank and full name of the person. In the second line, write the military unit number.

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, write each name on a separate line for 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 in the last line of the residential address. Delivery agents can contact them if they are unable to locate the address.

Correios da Guiné-Bissau is the national postal service provider of Guinea-Bissau, responsible for managing the country’s official mail and delivery systems. It handles the collection, sorting, and delivery of letters, parcels, and official government correspondence both domestically and internationally.

In addition to standard mail services, the postal corporation often supports logistical tasks. This includes delivery of government documents, educational materials, and electoral ballots, especially to rural areas where digital infrastructure is limited. 

You have learned how to structure the address format for a recipient in Guinea-Bissau. 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 need to verify a single or bulk address, we provide accurate, complete, and up-to-date addresses in sync with the official postal service providers for over 245 countries and territories. 

If you are curious about the format used in any other country, visit our global address format page to learn about the formats followed in countries worldwide.