What happens to incompletely addressed mail in the UK?

Question

I have been sent a package from Sweden and the company addressed it with my name, street, post town, UK and full postcode, but unfortunately they missed off my house number. I haven't received it so the company said to go to Royal Mail Delivery office to check if it was there. However delivery office said they don't know what would happen to it, but presume it would be returned to sender. I thought there was a Royal Mail department somewhere that tried to work out who it shoud be delivered to? As there are only 15 houses in the street with our postcode, ! would have thought they could easily work it out.

Answer 1

I do know that when at work incorrect mail was returned to sender but often after a long delay (weeks).  I imagine that there is a big pile and one person sits there opening the stuff and readdressing it to the sender.  We all know what the Post Office is like.  Usually though if there is only a few houses the postman knows the names from experience.  Hope it turns up soon.

Answer 2

The RM lost letter office is in Belfast. But, you claim lost mail via the RM website - there is a form to fill in. If the package has been returned as undeliverable, they will match the claim and you will eventually get it.

If, after so many days, they can't find it, they will tell you and the firm in Sweden ought to accept this and send a replacement.  

Answer 3

I wish I knew then the letters I have sent with the correct address on and didn't arrive  might be there also

Answer 4

Providing you take something in with your full name and address (utility bill, bank statement) and perhaps a photocard ID then that should be sufficient evidence to show that you are the intended recipient of the package.

Answer 5

Postie Here - All mail that can't be delivered such as this one with an incorrect or incomplete address is sent back to sender if there is a return address.

If there isn't a return address then it is sent on to Belfast where they open the items in a secure area and see if they can identify the originator of the item.  If they can then it is sent back to them.  If after many attempts and all sorts of searches and research it is still impossible to identify them then they are disposed of.

With reference to not being able to work out where it should go to.   Well as a postmen of some experience we used to be able to do this as we knew nearly everyone on our particular round.  However since it has now become a business instead of a service Royal Mail has laid of 1000 of postal workers, made the rounds bigger and introduced or rather started enforcing old rules, all of these combine to mean that a service we once provided at no cost and out of good will has now been removed.  Welcome to the world of "Profit" and bye bye to "Service".