The U.S. Postal Service allows PMB mailbox customers to use either “PMB” (private mailbox) or the alternative “#” sign as their box number designator, effective August 1, 2001. The Postal Service prefers a four-line address but will accept three-line addresses. Mailpieces must bear a delivery address that contains the following elements, in this order:
Line1: Intended addressee’s name or other identification. Examples: JOE DOE or ABC CO.
Line 2: PMB and number or the alternative # sign and number. Examples: PMB 234 or #234
Line 3: Street number and name, post office box number, or rural route designation and number. Examples: 10 MAIN ST. or PO BOX 34 or RR 1 BOX 12.
Line 4: City, State, and ZIP Code (5-digit or ZIP+4). Example: HERNDON, VA 22071-2716
Examples of Acceptable Four-Line Format Addresses Are:
JOE DOE
PMB 234
RR1 BOX 12
HERNDON, VA 22071-2716
OR
JOE DOE
#234
10 MAIN ST., STE 11
HERNDON, VA 22071-2716
Alternate Format
Line1: Intended addressee’s name or other identification. Examples: JOE DOE or ABC CO.
Line 2: Street number and name, or post office box number and PMB and number, or the alternative # sign and number. Examples: 10 MAIN ST., PMB 234 or #234 or PO BOX 34, PMB 234 or #234
Line 2: City, State, and ZIP Code (5-digit or ZIP+4). Example: HERNDON, VA 22071-2716
Exception: When the CMRA physical address contains a secondary address element (e.g., rural route box number, “suite,” “#,” or other item), the CMRA customer must use “PMB” when using the three-line format. In this case the following must be used:
JOE DOE
10 MAIN ST, STE. 11, PMB 234
HERNDON, VA 22071-2716
OR
JOE DOE
RR 12, Box 512, PMB 234
HERNDON, VA 22071-2716
It is not permissible to combine the secondary address element of the physical location of the CMRA address and the CMRA customer private mailbox number, e.g., 10 MAIN ST., STE 11-234. The CMRA must write the complete CMRA delivery addresses used tp deliver mail to each individual addressee or firm on Form 1583 (block 3). The Postal Service may return mail without a proper address to the sender endorsed “Undeliverable as Addresses, Missing PMB or #Sign.”
