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Below are a list of frequently asked questions. If you cannot find the answer to your question please contact the customer services team on 711720 or email custserv@guernseypost.com
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While some organisations are allocated a unique postcode to ensure the segregation of large deliveries of post to a single address our postcodes usually cover more than just one address in a specific area.
Our mechanised sorting equipment ‘reads’ every address from the bottom and that’s why it’s so important for the postcode to be at the end of the address, on a single line by itself.
Our equipment is able to read both typed and handwritten addresses as long as the wording is clear and the envelope is free of written clutter. Poor contrast between the print and envelope colour may also make an address difficult for our machine to pick up. Particular care should be taken to ensure that the first part of a Bailiwick of Guernsey postcode reads GY because if this bit isn’t clear, your post could end up in Glasgow or Guildford.
Unfortunately not. Our sorting equipment will reject incomplete postcodes as ‘not registered’.
If you need any help coding your electronic list, please contact our Customer Services.
Any company or individual that hires a PO Box from Guernsey Post will be informed that their PO Box has a unique postcode, which differs from their actual address. It is essential that the PO Box postcode is used on all communications and not the postcode for the box holder’s actual address.
If you don’t have the postcode for a local or UK address, simply use the postcode finder on our website or call Customer Services.
When sending post to international destinations, please check the addressing standard of the country in question. Some countries have special requirements for certain destinations and items.
We recommend that all international postal items display the complete name and address of both sender and recipient. In some countries, such as Canada, failure to do so will result in your post not getting through. Please take a look at our undeliverable post policy in our Customer Services section for more information.
Complete and legible customs declarations - along with any required import documentation - must be provided to identify the contents of any package leaving the Bailiwick of Guernsey and specifically when sending Special Delivery items for next working day guaranteed delivery. Vague descriptions such as ‘gift’ or ‘present’ are unacceptable.
You need to let us know when you are moving house or changing your business name; please contact us by telephone or email.
Frequently Asked Questions about Underpaid Post
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Underpaid postage is a growing problem for us and each year we handle a significant number of items that don't have enough postage paid.
Local underpaid items are held with Customer Services at Envoy House reception and an 'Underpaid Item' form is sent to the recipient. The recipient can then choose how he/she will pay for the release of the item (please see underpaid postage 'payment' section above for payment methods). The item cannot be opened until the necessary payment has been made. If you choose not to accept the item we will hold the item for an additional three weeks before we destroy it.
We charge the difference of the underpaid amount plus a handling fee of £1.
We receive a growing number of items each day that either have insufficient stamps to cover the postage or no stamps at all. The charges that we impose are necessary to cover the cost and handling of underpaid or unpaid items.
If you post an item, which has been underpaid, to these areas we will indicate on the item the necessary charges. These will be collected by the local delivery office from the recipient.
International items will be returned to the sender - this is why using a Return Address (scroll up to see more information) is so important. We will indicate on the item how much additional postage is required to successfully send the item.
These items cost us the most to send and is a significant amount. By sending the item back to the sender we hope to educate the sender of the importance of using the correct postage and therefore avoid any future reoccurances. It is also very difficult for the receiving post office to understand how much money to recover, as they will be using a different currency.
If you are a local business sending a large number of underpaid items we will contact you directly if you are using a Return Address. If you haven't included a Return Address then we will handle these using the processes mentioned above for local, UK, Jersey, IOM and international items.
Please follow the payment options on the form, fill in our online payment form or call our Customer Services team on 01481 711720. Alternatively you can visit Customer Services at Envoy House reception.
There is no obligation to take and pay for the item. You can view the item and decide whether you want to accept it. It is only when you choose to accept that we will charge you.
We hold all items for three weeks.
All items should include a Return Address. It ensures that, should anything happen to the item, it can always be returned to you. Using a Return Address is particularly important if you are posting something internationally, as it will be returned to you if the postage has been underpaid. If you do not use a Return Address your item will be held for three weeks and then destroyed.
The best way to reduce the number of underpaid items is to contact the sender immediately and explain that they have sent you an underpaid item. It is only by you (the recipient) making them aware of the issue that is likely to make them take notice.