Kiribati is an island nation located in the central Pacific Ocean. It is known for its scattered coral atolls, remote location, and unique position straddling both the equator and the International Date Line. It is composed of three main island groups: the Gilbert Islands, the Phoenix Islands, and the Line Islands.

People within the nation write the address formats differently when mailing. As a small island nation with limited postal infrastructure, formal addressing is not always standardized. Address formats are often adapted to the local context rather than following a national standard.

Most villages and towns in Kiribati lack formal street names and numbered buildings. Instead, people often rely on local landmarks, community names, or well-known locations to describe where someone lives or works.

Moreover, there are different types of addresses, each with its specific element requirements. If you need to mail a client or customer in Kiribati 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 of the residential or business address. If the recipient uses a P.O. box, write “P.O. BOX” followed by the box number.

Locality

In the third line, write the name of the locality where the person lives.

Island and Postal Code

Kiribati is composed of 33 small islands and atolls, and most populated areas are villages or settlements rather than towns in the urban sense. Some famous islands in Kiribati are South Tarawa, Kiritimati, Makin Island, and Canton. In the same line, write the alphanumeric postal code.

Country Name

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

Residential Address Format

Write the recipient’s name, street address, P.O. box number, locality, island, postal code, and country name.

Rural Address Format

Typically, the streets in rural areas of Kiribati 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 “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, 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 call them if they are unable to locate the address.

Kiribati Post is the national postal provider operating under the Ministry of Information, Communications, and Transport. Domestically, Kiribati Post handles a wide array of mail and parcel types. This ranges from ordinary letters and postcards weighing up to 2 kg to larger parcels weighing up to 20 kg, which are delivered via either air or sea routes.

For international express delivery, it offers EMS services in partnership with the Universal Postal Union. This allows customers to send documents and merchandise weighing up to 30 kg with full tracking, priority handling, and a required delivery signature. 

A critical service offered by Kiribati Post is POSMO (Post Office Sending Money Online). It facilitates domestic money transfers in a country where banking reach is limited and many rely on cash.

You have learned how to structure the address format for a recipient in Kiribati. 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.