Papua New Guinea (PNG) is a country located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and several smaller islands. It is renowned for its rich cultural diversity, mountainous landscapes, and vast rainforests. It shares the island of New Guinea with the Indonesian province of Papua, which lies to the west, making it one of the most ecologically and culturally diverse regions in the world.

In PNG, the address format differs from that of many Western countries due to the country’s diverse linguistic and cultural landscape. It is home to more than 800 different languages and hundreds of ethnic groups. In rural areas, where traditional customs are more prevalent, people may follow local practices when writing addresses. These practices might vary by region or tribe, influenced by cultural norms and the role of community-based systems rather than formal, centralized administration.

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

District, Postal Code, and Administrative Division

Write the name of the district where the person lives, along with the three-digit postal code and the administrative division where the district lies.

Country Name

Write the name of the country in the last line. When sending international mail to Papua New Guinea, write the country’s name in capital letters.

Residential Address Format

Write the recipient’s name, street address, P.O. Box number, district, postal code, administrative division, and country name.

Rural Address Format

Typically, the streets in rural areas of Papua New Guinea 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.

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 call them if they are unable to locate the address.

The Papua New Guinea Postal Corporation, commonly known as Post PNG, is the national postal service provider of Papua New Guinea. It operates under the Postal Services Act and serves as the primary organization responsible for collecting, delivering, and providing other postal services nationwide.

Post PNG offers a comprehensive range of services to individuals, businesses, and government agencies. It handles letters, parcels, and registered mail for both domestic and international delivery, ensuring that correspondence reaches its intended destination securely. Businesses and individuals can also rent post office boxes, providing a reliable and secure way to receive mail. For urgent shipments, Post PNG offers courier and express services that expedite the delivery of parcels and essential documents.

You have learned how to structure the address format for a recipient in Papua New Guinea. 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.