Are there any difficulties delivering to an Army base in UK?

[Dj9928]

So sold an item on eBay, the buyer lives in an Army base in Kent. Item was sent 1st class signed for on 17th and still says “We’ve got it” I’ve never had this happen before, makes me wonder if it was delivered and just not scanned. What’s your thoughts?

[Snaggletooth]

The general rule when delivering to the armed forces is that the item should be addressed to the relevant British Forces Post Office (BFPO) number, and should *not* include the address of the base where they physically are (https://www.gov.uk/bfpo/how-to-address-bfpo-mail). But I have spoken to many families of squadies who seem completely ignorant of this rule which exists in part to protect their relatives.

I don't know what happens if you break the rule above. It is possible that Royal Mail do not deliver to this address and have to hand it over to the BFPO. I don't think that Signed For is available as a service to BFPO addresses. Any of the above could cause a problem with your confirmation of delivery.

One thing I have learned from looking at the BFPO information linked to above is that the BFPO have an exclusions list which is subtly different to Royal Mail's. No batteries allowed at all.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

The general rule when delivering to the armed forces is that the item should be addressed to the relevant British Forces Post Office (BFPO) number, and should *not* include the address of the base where they physically are (https://www.gov.uk/bfpo/how-to-address-bfpo-mail). But I have spoken to many families of squadies who seem completely ignorant of this rule which exists in part to protect their relatives.

I don't know what happens if you break the rule above. It is possible that Royal Mail do not deliver to this address and have to hand it over to the BFPO. I don't think that Signed For is available as a service to BFPO addresses. Any of the above could cause a problem with your confirmation of delivery.

One thing I have learned from looking at the BFPO information linked to above is that the BFPO have an exclusions list which is subtly different to Royal Mail's. No batteries allowed at all.

BFPO addresses are based overseas in every case. With the exception of Northern Ireland-based BFPO addresses.
(full list here https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... -june-2019)

Within the UK there are 3 systems of Mail for military addresses.

1. Ones actually on a base have the department they are going to, and then the full physical address of the base itself.
2. Units off-base will have a local military base that processes their mail for them.
3. Married Quarters addresses are treated exactly the same as normal residential addresses and Royal Mail staff will deliver to them. If they have to enter a gate to access the "Married Patch" they will need to show their ID Card and be on an approved list.

In the case of no 1 and no 2, there is a centralised point that will disseminate the mail to the relevant departments. It was recommended that all "personal" mail that included reference to Rank and name should be addressed to the area where they work, rather than their married quarters address.


So to the OP it depends if the address was a physical street address or the base itself. If it was on base then it's possible that it was delivered but not scanned, although it should be. The Central Registry or the Admin Office of the base should have signed for all items needing a signature once receipt. Then there is a system for accounting for it further, but this is not accessible to either RM or the public.

Some of the processes may have changed as its nearly 30 years since I worked in a Central Registry, but the basics will remain the same.

[Dj9928]

The general rule when delivering to the armed forces is that the item should be addressed to the relevant British Forces Post Office (BFPO) number, and should *not* include the address of the base where they physically are (https://www.gov.uk/bfpo/how-to-address-bfpo-mail). But I have spoken to many families of squadies who seem completely ignorant of this rule which exists in part to protect their relatives.

I don't know what happens if you break the rule above. It is possible that Royal Mail do not deliver to this address and have to hand it over to the BFPO. I don't think that Signed For is available as a service to BFPO addresses. Any of the above could cause a problem with your confirmation of delivery.

One thing I have learned from looking at the BFPO information linked to above is that the BFPO have an exclusions list which is subtly different to Royal Mail's. No batteries allowed at all.

BFPO addresses are based overseas in every case. With the exception of Northern Ireland-based BFPO addresses.
(full list here https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... -june-2019)

Within the UK there are 3 systems of Mail for military addresses.

1. Ones actually on a base have the department they are going to, and then the full physical address of the base itself.
2. Units off-base will have a local military base that processes their mail for them.
3. Married Quarters addresses are treated exactly the same as normal residential addresses and Royal Mail staff will deliver to them. If they have to enter a gate to access the "Married Patch" they will need to show their ID Card and be on an approved list.

In the case of no 1 and no 2, there is a centralised point that will disseminate the mail to the relevant departments. It was recommended that all "personal" mail that included reference to Rank and name should be addressed to the area where they work, rather than their married quarters address.


So to the OP it depends if the address was a physical street address or the base itself. If it was on base then it's possible that it was delivered but not scanned, although it should be. The Central Registry or the Admin Office of the base should have signed for all items needing a signature once receipt. Then there is a system for accounting for it further, but this is not accessible to either RM or the public.

Some of the processes may have changed as its nearly 30 years since I worked in a Central Registry, but the basics will remain the same.

Yeah it was a physical street address, I’d never have known it was a military installation only the guy told me after I’d post it, I questioned it with him as it had no door number Invicta Park it’s called.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Invicta Park,

That's a barracks in Maidstone Kent (it's not a secret)

Their mail would have been delivered to the Army's Post Room I think it was probably delivered without being scanned. Or if they get a lot of scanned mail it may just be taking its time to show up on the system.