Addressing Letters To Bolivia: The Correct Format

When addressing a letter to Bolivia, it is important to follow the correct format to ensure your letter reaches its destination. Here are some key considerations:

- Recipient's Address: Include the recipient's full name, street address (with street name and number), city, department (e.g., Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Santa Cruz), and country (Bolivia).

- Phone Number: It is recommended to include the recipient's local phone number to facilitate delivery, as the Bolivian post office does not always deliver to homes and businesses in a timely and consistent manner.

- Country Name and Continent: To avoid confusion, specify the country name in Spanish (Bolivia) and include the continent name (SOUTH AMERICA).

- Weight and Customs: If your package weighs 2 kilograms or less, you can seal it without a customs form. For heavier packages, you must leave the package open for inspection and fill out a customs declaration at a special post office section called ENCOMIENDAS.

- Sender's Address: When sending mail from another country to Bolivia, include your name, street address, city, state, country, and email address or phone number for easy communication.

- Postal Service: The Bolivian Postal Service (Empresa de Correos de Bolivia, or ECOBOL) has a reputation for being slow and unreliable. Consider using international couriers such as FedEx, DHL, UPS, or TNT for more reliable delivery.

Include the recipient's phone number

When addressing a letter to Bolivia, it is important to include the recipient's contact information, such as their phone number and email address. This information is crucial for ensuring effective communication and establishing a personal connection with the recipient. Here are some key points to consider when including the recipient's phone number in your letter:

Placement and Format

Place the recipient's phone number on the sixth line of their contact information, following their country name if they reside outside of your country. The phone number should be written in a format that is standard for their country. For example, in the United States, you would write the area code in parentheses, followed by the three-digit exchange number and the four-digit number, with or without dashes. Here is an example of how to format a phone number in the US: (555) 555-5555.

International Considerations

If you are sending a letter to Bolivia from another country, be sure to include the appropriate country code before the phone number. For example, if you are sending a letter from the US to Bolivia, the country code for Bolivia is 591. Thus, you would write the phone number as +591 followed by the local number. Including the country code ensures that your letter can be easily routed to the correct recipient, especially when dealing with international communications.

Template and Example

When formatting your letter, you can use the following template to ensure you include all the necessary information, including the recipient's phone number:

[Your full name]

[Your company name]

[Your address]

[Your city, state, and ZIP code or country name]

[Your email address and phone number]

[Date]

[Recipient's full name]

[Recipient's company name]

[Recipient's address]

[Recipient's city, state, and ZIP code or country name]

[Recipient's email address and phone number]

[Salutation]

Harper Jones

Blue Dot Designs

555 Jameson Ave.

San Diego, CA 55555

[email protected], +1 555-555-5555

March 3, 2020

Ms. Maria Gomez

Gomez Gallery

Calle Principal, Casilla 123

La Paz, Bolivia

[email protected], +591 76543210

Dear Ms. Gomez,

By including the recipient's phone number in your letter, you not only provide an additional means of communication but also add a level of personalization and formality to your correspondence. This attention to detail demonstrates your professionalism and helps create a positive impression on the recipient, whether it be for a job application, business proposal, or any other formal communication.

Write the address in Spanish

When writing the address in Spanish, the format is as follows:

{Recipient name} {Thoroughfare type} {Thoroughfare name} {House number} {Settlement}

The thoroughfare type, when included, is written separately from the thoroughfare name and should be written with the first letter in lower case. For example, 'calle de Junin'.

When writing the address in Spanish, the word for 'street', 'calle', is rarely included.

Addresses may also be written in Quechua or Aymará.

When mailing to Bolivia, be sure to include the recipient's name, street address (including street name and number), city and department name (for example, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Santa Cruz), and the country (Bolivia).

It is also helpful to include the recipient's local phone number and to indicate the continent, e.g. 'EUROPA'.

Include the continent name

When addressing a letter to Bolivia, it is important to include the continent name, especially when mailing from Bolivia to other countries. This is because including the continent name helps Bolivian postal workers understand the address and ensures the letter reaches its destination.

Recipient's name and address:

• Write the name of the recipient on the first line.
• On the second line, provide the street address, including the street name and number.
• The third line should include the city or town, followed by the department name (e.g., Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Santa Cruz).
• For the fourth line, mention the country name, Bolivia, and the continent name, South America, in Spanish (e.g., "Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Santa Cruz, Bolivia, Sudamérica").
• It is also recommended to include the recipient's seven-digit local phone number to facilitate delivery.

Contact information at the top:

• Provide your full name as the sender.
• On the next line, write your company name or affiliation.
• The third line should include your street address.
• The fourth line should have your city, state (abbreviated), and zip code.
• If you are writing from another country, include the country name on the fourth line.

Date and salutation:

• Align the date to the left or right margin, spelling out the month and using numbers for the day and year (e.g., November 15, 2020).
• Skip a line after the date and write the salutation. Use "Dear" followed by the person's name and a colon or comma. If you don't know the recipient's gender, use "Dear Sir or Madam."

Format and additional tips:

• When writing addresses in Spanish, omit "calle" (street) and write the thoroughfare type with a lowercase first letter.
• Addresses may also be written in Quechua or Aymará, two of Bolivia's official languages.
• If your package weighs more than 2 kilograms, you'll need to fill out a customs form at a special section of the Bolivian post office called "ENCOMIENDAS."
• For added security, consider using Registered Mail, which requires a signature upon delivery.

Use the correct postage

The postage cost will depend on the size, weight, and type of package you are sending. For example, a standard letter or birthday card will cost less to send than a large envelope ("flat"), which is anything over 3.5 ounces.

If you are sending a letter from the US to Bolivia, the easiest way is to use Global Forever Stamps, which cost $1.55 each. You can also use regular domestic forever stamps, as long as they add up to $1.55. You will need extra postage if your letter is over 1 ounce.

If your package weighs less than 2 kilograms (4.4 pounds), you can seal the package and do not need to fill out a customs form. However, for packages over 2 kilograms, you will need to fill out a customs certificate stating what your package contains, how much it weighs, and its value. You will also need to go to a special section of the post office called ENCOMIENDAS to mail it.

If you are sending a postcard to Bolivia, you will need one Global Forever Stamp for $1.55. Make sure your postcard meets the following criteria:

• Rectangular (cannot be square or round)
• At least 3-1/2 inches high x 5 inches long x 0.007 inches thick
• No more than 4-1/4 inches high x 6 inches long x 0.016 inches thick

If you are sending a large envelope ("flat"), you will need to refer to the USPS Price List for Group 9 rates. The base rate is $2.90, with extra charges for additional ounces.

For letters and postcards, the weight limit is 3.5 ounces, and for large envelopes, the weight limit is 15.994 ounces.

Delivery Time

Delivery time for letters from the US to Bolivia is 7-21 days. This is significantly longer than domestic letters, which are typically delivered in 1-3 days.

Seal packages under 2kg

When sending a letter to Bolivia, it's important to follow the correct addressing format and choose the appropriate postage option. Here are some detailed instructions on how to seal packages under 2kg when sending mail to Bolivia:

Choose the Right Envelope:

Select an envelope that meets the size and weight requirements for your package. It should be rectangular, uniform in thickness, and bendable. The standard envelope size for a letter to Bolivia is typically 9.5" x 4.25", but it can be larger, up to a maximum of 11.5" x 6+⅛". Make sure your envelope meets the size standards to avoid any issues during mailing.

Weigh Your Package:

Use a kitchen food scale to accurately weigh your package. Round up to the nearest ounce, as postage rates are usually calculated based on weight increments. Keep in mind that the maximum weight limit for standard letters is 3.5 ounces. If your package exceeds this weight, you will need to use a "flat" or large envelope, which has a higher weight limit of 15.994 ounces.

Apply Postage:

Determine the correct amount of postage required for your package based on its weight and destination. You can use Global Forever Stamps, which cost $1.55 each, or a combination of domestic forever stamps totalling $1.55. If your package weighs more than 1 ounce, you will need to add extra postage accordingly. You can purchase stamps at your local post office, online, or from retailers like Walmart and Amazon.

Address the Envelope:

Write the recipient's address clearly in the centre of the envelope. Include the recipient's name, address, and postal code. For international mail to Bolivia, you may need to include the country name, "BOLIVIA," in capital letters, and the recipient's phone number and/or email address.

Seal the Envelope:

Use an appropriate sealing method to securely close your envelope. You can use adhesive envelope flaps, wax seals, or paper seals. Ensure that the envelope is securely closed and that the contents are protected from moisture and damage during transit.

Add Custom Forms and Labels:

Depending on the contents of your package, you may need to include customs forms and labels. For example, if you are sending merchandise or items with a value exceeding certain thresholds, you will need to complete and attach specific customs forms. Check with your local postal service or online resources for the specific requirements for mailing to Bolivia.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your package under 2kg is properly sealed and addressed when sending mail to Bolivia. Remember to refer to the latest guidelines and regulations provided by postal services to ensure your mail reaches its destination without any issues.

Frequently asked questions