Indonesia, the world’s largest archipelago, is a vibrant nation in Southeast Asia comprising over 17,000 islands, including Java, Sumatra, Borneo (shared with Malaysia and Brunei), Sulawesi, and Bali. It is the fourth most populous country globally, with a diverse population of more than 270 million people from hundreds of ethnic groups, including the Javanese, Sundanese, and Balinese.

Its varied geography and culture are reflected in its address formatting. Whether you’re sending mail to urban centers like Surabaya or remote locations in Papua, understanding Indonesia’s address structure is key to ensuring timely and accurate delivery. Let’s explore how to write addresses for different purpose—complete with examples to make sure your deliveries arrive without a hitch.

Recipient Name

Write down the recipient’s full name on the first line while sending a mailer or package. For business addresses, you need to mention the company name first, followed by the recipient’s name or department.

Street Address or PO BOX (K.P.) 

Mention the street name and house/building number for residential or business addresses. Indonesians often use detailed directions, such as “RT/RW” (Neighborhood and Hamlet numbers), to identify specific locations within a village or urban block. If the recipient relies on a Post Office Box, then write “K.P.” (Kotak Pos) followed by the box number.

Subdistrict and District 

Indonesian addresses typically include both the Kelurahan (subdistrict) and Kecamatan (district) to narrow down the location further. This is very useful in larger areas and rural locations.

City and Postal Code 

Indonesia relies on a five-digit postal code. Postal codes are crucial for mail delivery and often correspond to specific neighborhoods or regions. Write the city or town name followed by the corresponding five-digit postal code. 

Province

Provinces, or “Provinsi” in Bahasa Indonesia, are the highest administrative divisions in Indonesia. Including the province in an address is a crucial step in ensuring accurate mail routing and timely delivery, particularly when sending mail to regions outside the well-known urban centers like Jakarta or Surabaya.

Country Name

Write the country name in the last line. If you are sending international mail, always write the country name in capital letters.

Residential Address Format

A typical residential address in Indonesia includes the recipient’s name, street, RT/RW, subdistrict, district, city, province, postal code, and country.

Rural Address Format

In rural areas without formal street names, include the village or settlement name, along with the nearest major town, followed by the subdistrict, district, province, and country. Landmarks, such as a mosque, school, or market, are often included to provide additional guidance.

Business Address Format

For business addresses, start with the company name on the first line. Follow it with the recipient’s name or their department to ensure proper routing. The remaining details should adhere to the standard address format. For added clarity, consider using “ATTN:” before the recipient’s name or department to highlight the intended recipient.

International Address Format for NGOs and Organizations

When addressing mail to international organizations or NGOs in Indonesia, it is essential to include the organization’s full name prominently on the first line. This should be followed by the specific department, division, or program name to ensure the mail reaches the intended recipient within the organization, especially in larger offices that handle diverse activities.

PO Box Address Format

For letters sent to a Post Office Box, use “K.P.” followed by the corresponding box number in place of the street address. The “K.P.” designation ensures that mail is routed directly to the correct post office box, making it a preferred option for businesses, government offices, and residents in both urban and rural areas.

Military Address Format

For military personnel stationed in Indonesia, mail is typically processed through the civilian postal system, with additional details such as unit or base information included to ensure accurate delivery. Military bases in Indonesia, such as those operated by the Indonesian National Armed Forces (Tentara Nasional Indonesia or TNI), often have distinct areas or facilities that necessitate detailed addressing to avoid delays or misrouting.

Government Office Address Format

When sending mail to government offices in Indonesia, it is essential to clearly specify the name of the office or department at the very beginning of the address. Government institutions frequently house multiple departments, sometimes within the same building or complex, making it critical to include the department name to avoid delays or misrouting. Following the department name, provide the street address or PO Box, along with the necessary subdistrict, district, city, and postal code details

Address for Multiple Recipients Format

When sending mail to multiple recipients at the same address, it’s important to list each recipient’s name on separate lines to ensure clarity and proper delivery. This practice helps avoid confusion, especially when the mail is intended for individuals within a family, shared household, or office setting.

Address Format for Courier Services

When relying on courier services like DHL or FedEx, you should also provide additional contact details such as phone numbers. Courier companies often need special delivery instructions, especially in rural or remote areas.

The Indonesia Postal System, managed by “Pos Indonesia”, is the national postal service of the country, providing reliable mail and logistics solutions across the archipelago. With a history dating back to 1746, Pos Indonesia has evolved into a modern postal network equipped to handle domestic and international deliveries. Its services range from traditional letter mail to parcels, financial transactions, and e-commerce logistics. 

“Pos Indonesia” operates an extensive network of over 4,800 post offices, connecting even remote islands and rural areas with efficient delivery systems. The postal system’s adaptability and integration with advanced tracking systems ensure that users can stay updated on the status of their shipments.

So you have learned how to structure the address format to a recipient in Indonesia. But to ensure your address is reaching the intended recipient, you need a verified address. PostGrid address verification solution verifies, standardizes, and offers address autocomplete suggestions in real-time. Whether you want to verify a single address 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 international address format page and learn the address format followed in countries around the world.