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UPU POST*CODE API

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Spec score 7.8 #19 of 30 in Address Verification Software

What it is

UPU POST*CODE API verifies international addresses using official locality names and postcode data from UPU member countries. Its checks cover a country’s postcode format, whether a postcode matches a locality, postcodes associated with a locality, and localities associated with a postcode. LocalityLike suggests official locality names and postal regions from the beginning of a partial locality input. The API is intended for designated postal operators, businesses, and individuals handling international addresses, including customs declarations, web shops, user platforms, and ERP systems. It can run as a CDS plugin, through the CDS API gateway or other middleware, or inside postal websites and local applications. Development guidance covers HTML, web applications, JavaScript form handling, and sample code for jQuery and Python. Documentation includes tutorials, quick-start guides, and developer tooling. UPU says response time is under one second and performance can be adjusted to expected call volume. Pricing is on request, with a free trial available by contacting UPU.

Spec sheet

Purpose
POST*CODE API verifies international addresses and helps eliminate addressing inaccuracies.Read 11 Oct 2026 · upu.int
Intended users
UPU describes the API as useful to designated operators, businesses, and individuals handling international addresses.Read 11 Oct 2026 · upu.int
Integrations
The API can be used as a CDS plugin, through the CDS API gateway or other middleware, or integrated into postal websites and local applications.Read 11 Oct 2026 · upu.int
Security
The CDS setup guide describes a security token used to identify and authenticate a CDS installation, with tokens unique to countries.Read 11 Oct 2026 · upu.int
Support
The guide directs users with questions about costs, documentation, or a free trial to [email protected].Read 11 Oct 2026 · upu.int
Headquarters
Berne, SwitzerlandRead 28 Sep 2026 · upu.int
Founded
1874Read 28 Sep 2026 · upu.int
Maker
The Universal Postal Union says it was established in 1874 and is headquartered in Berne, Switzerland.Read 11 Oct 2026 · upu.int
Address data
It provides official locality names and postcode data from UPU member countries.Read 11 Oct 2026 · upu.int
CDS authentication
CDS installations use an alphanumeric security token received from a regional support centre, and tokens are unique to countries.Read 11 Oct 2026 · upu.int
Developer resources
UPU says API documentation includes tutorials, quick-start guides, and developer tooling.Read 11 Oct 2026 · upu.int
Development
The guide describes HTML and web application use, JavaScript form handling, and sample code for JQuery and Python.Read 11 Oct 2026 · upu.int
Documentation
The API documentation includes tutorials, quick-start guides, and developer tooling.Read 11 Oct 2026 · upu.int
Locality and postcode matching
Functions return postcodes for a locality, localities for a postcode, and check whether a postcode matches a locality.Read 11 Oct 2026 · upu.int
Locality lookup
The LocalityLike function suggests official localities and postal regions matching the start of an input string.Read 11 Oct 2026 · upu.int
Performance
UPU says it guarantees a response time of less than one second and can adjust server performance to expected call volume.Read 11 Oct 2026 · upu.int
Postcode validation
Its functions check postcode format and return a country’s postcode format.Read 11 Oct 2026 · upu.int
Pricing and support
For questions about costs, documentation, or a free trial, the guide directs users to [email protected].Read 11 Oct 2026 · upu.int
Programming
The guide describes HTML and JavaScript use and says sample code is available for jQuery and Python.Read 11 Oct 2026 · upu.int
Secure access
The API can be accessed through the CDS API gateway or other middleware for secure data transmission.Read 11 Oct 2026 · upu.int
Suggestions
The LocalityLike function suggests official locality names and postal regions from a partial locality input.Read 11 Oct 2026 · upu.int
Trial calls
The guide says users who register can notify UPU to receive a sufficient number of free calls to try the API.Read 11 Oct 2026 · upu.int
Use cases
The guide describes use in customs declarations, web shops, user platforms, and ERP systems that capture international addresses.Read 11 Oct 2026 · upu.int
Validation
Its functions check postcode formats, verify localities, find postcodes for localities, and check whether a postcode matches a locality.Read 11 Oct 2026 · upu.int

Plans and prices

Contact UPU for pricing Priced on request Costs and free-trial details are available by contacting UPU Read 11 Oct 2026 · upu.int

Every UPU POST*CODE API plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Official locality and postcode data
  • Checks formats and locality matches
  • Partial locality suggestions
  • API and web access
  • Free trial available

Limits

  • Pricing requires contacting UPU
  • CDS installations require security tokens

Who it suits

It suits organisations and individuals handling international address capture, validation, or postcode lookup. It supports postal, customs, commerce, platform, and ERP uses.

Verdict

UPU POST*CODE API focuses on international postcode and locality validation with global coverage. Its documented integrations, developer resources, and trial calls support teams building address workflows.

Where Specifiction places it

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