A practical U.S. address checklist for parcels shipped from China: apartment numbers, state abbreviations, ZIP Codes, P.O. Boxes and what to verify before dispatch.
How to Format a U.S. Delivery Address for China Shipping
A China warehouse cannot correct a missing apartment number or guess which ZIP Code belongs to a street. Before a parcel leaves China, ask the recipient to send the address exactly as it appears in the USPS ZIP Code Lookup. That is the safest starting point for a U.S. delivery label.
This guide is about the final U.S. delivery address only. It does not replace a customs, tax or route decision.
Use this address order
Write the address in this order:
- Recipient's full name
- House number and street name, plus the apartment, suite or unit number
- City, two-letter state abbreviation and ZIP Code
- Telephone number for the carrier, when required by the shipping route
Example:
JANE MILLER
1234 W MAPLE ST APT 5B
AUSTIN TX 78701
+1 555 010 0000
USPS says the city, state and ZIP Code must work together, and its lookup tool returns a standardized version of the address. Use that result rather than guessing from a map or an old order confirmation. USPS address guidance also notes that a correct apartment or suite number matters for delivery.
Do not drop the apartment number
For apartments, condos and office suites, put the unit after the street address when it fits: APT 5B, STE 210 or UNIT 14. USPS treats this secondary address information as part of a complete address. If the line is too long, place the unit line immediately above the street line rather than below the city/state/ZIP line.
Do not replace a known apartment number with only #5B. Use the designator the recipient normally uses, such as APT, STE or UNIT.
State abbreviations and ZIP Codes
Use the two-letter postal abbreviation: CA, NY, TX or FL—not the full state name if the shipping form asks for a state code. Enter the ZIP Code supplied by the recipient, then confirm it with USPS. ZIP+4 can improve address matching when available, but do not invent the final four digits.
A ZIP Code is not the same thing as a city boundary. If the lookup result shows a different mailing city from the recipient's everyday city name, follow the USPS result and ask the recipient to confirm before dispatch.
P.O. Box is a route question, not just an address question
A P.O. Box is not interchangeable with a street address. It may work only when the delivery service supports it. For example, FedEx states that domestic P.O. Box delivery is limited to its contract-only Ground Economy service. If the recipient gives only a P.O. Box, stop before arranging shipment and confirm the final-mile carrier or ask for a deliverable street address. FedEx shipping FAQ
Do not write both a street address and a P.O. Box on one label unless the selected carrier specifically tells you to do so.
Three-minute check before a China warehouse ships
- Ask the recipient for the address in English letters, not a screenshot with part of the unit hidden.
- Run the street, unit, city, state and ZIP Code through USPS lookup.
- Compare the returned format with the recipient's own confirmation.
- Confirm whether the address is residential, business, campus, military or a P.O. Box.
- Provide a working phone number if the selected carrier requests one.
- If any field differs, pause the shipment and ask the recipient—not the seller—to confirm the final address.
What YDA Express can help with
YDA Express can record the delivery details supplied for an eligible shipment and help compare available forwarding options. We cannot verify who lives at an address, guarantee carrier coverage, change a recipient's address after dispatch, or guarantee final delivery. Address and carrier rules can change, so verify them again when booking the shipment.
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