Quick Facts: UAE Postal Code System
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Does the UAE use postal codes? | No — the UAE has no traditional ZIP or postal code system |
| Placeholder for online forms | 00000 (universally accepted across all emirates) |
| Official mail system | P.O. Box numbers issued by Emirates Post |
| Building identifier | Makani Number (10-digit unique code per building in Dubai) |
| Emirates Post website | emiratespost.ae |
| PO Box cost (personal/MyBox) | AED 300 per year |
| PO Box cost (home delivery/MyHome) | AED 995 per year |
| PO Box cost (corporate) | AED 900+ per year (plus AED 100 registration fee) |
| Number of Emirates Post branches | 88 branches across the UAE (as of 2026) |
| Courier delivery | Done via mobile number + full street address + Makani number |
When trying to complete an online form, whether for securing a product, registering for a bank account, or enrolling in a government program, you may have found yourself stuck on the postal code or ZIP code section in the UAE. Amongst all the questions that people (including visitors, residents, and businesses) have to ask about Dubai and the Dubai business environment, this is one of the hottest.
The answer is very straightforward: the UAE doesn’t have a system of traditional postal codes. For all online forms that call for a ZIP code, you can just type 00000. This is standard for 2026 and is accepted everywhere in the seven emirates.
All 7 emirates – Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujair, nd Umm Al Quwain are covered, and this guide explains how the postal system actually works; what you need to enter in each scenario; how to get a P.O. Box; and what the Makani Number system is,m; etc.
Does the UAE Have a Postal Code or ZIP Code?
No. Food delivery firms also use postal codes, although the UAE has not introduced a system for fed-coding these, and neither have any of the individual emirates. Postal codes are also used by food delivery companies, but there is no postal code system in place in the UAE, and no emirate has introduced one. The UAE only uses P.O. box numbers for official mail because they have no other postal code system (so no 5-digit numeric zip codes or alphanumeric postcodes like those in the United Kingdom, and no postcodes introduced by the UAE as happened in Oman).
The reason is a structural one, as it is consolidated within the Emirates Post, the national postal company of the UAE. It is not automatically delivered to individuals’ homes or offices, but instead only delivered to rented P.O. Boxes at specific postal centres. You need not use postal codes based on geography, as this routing is by P.O. Box.
The practical implication of this: If you are asked to enter your UAE zip code, the accepted and correct answer is 00000. It is not advisable to enter a random five-digit code in the entry field because it may look like another country’s postal code and confuse international address codes.
What to Enter When an Online Form Asks for a UAE Postal Code
This happens so regularly at Amazon checkout, while filling in international bank applications, e-commerce shipping labels, and submitting to governments. If you don’t know the specifics for your particular field type, here’s what to do:
| Field Type | What to Enter | Backup Option |
|---|---|---|
| 5-digit numeric field | 00000 | 99999 |
| 6-digit numeric field | 000000 | 999999 |
| Alphanumeric (UK-style) field | N/A or 0000 | Leave blank if allowed |
| Payment/billing ZIP | 00000 (match what your bank has on file) | Contact your bank to confirm |
| Field accepts text | N/A or Not Applicable | Leave blank |
Tips: If you are using the payment form to pay to the UAE, always make sure to select the UAE as the country before entering the numbers 00000. A “billing address mismatch” error typically indicates that the bank has a different billing address stored, and you should check with them before trying again.
Most courier companies in the UAE, like Aramex, DHL, and Amazon UAE, have done away with the need for postal ccodesnd introduced GPS location, Google maps pins, and Makani numbers to complete deliveries of goods as of 2026.
UAE P.O. Box System: How It Works
In the UAE, the P.O. Box (Post Office Box) system is the primary method of delivering mail. All Rental P.O. Boxes are available at every Rental Office of Emirates Post for all individuals and/or businesses that wish to receive official mail at their P.O. Box.
The Emirates Post has 88 branch offices throughout all seven Emirates. Once you have a P.O. Box, the number is your official mailing address. The format used is:
Example: P.O. Box 12345, Dubai, UAE
Mail pickup from your P.O. Box at the branch and through other services that deliver mail to your home. Additionally, you will be notified about your mail via SMS whenever it arrives in your mailbox. Box Types and Costs (As of 2026)
| Box Type | Who It’s For | Annual Cost | How Mail Is Collected |
| MyBox (Personal) | Individuals | AED 300/year | Visit the branch (24/7 access) |
| MyHome (Personal) | Individuals wanting home delivery | AED 995/year | Delivered to your home weekly |
| Corporate P.O. Box | Businesses/companies | AED 900+ (+ AED 100 registration) | Collect from the branch or add-on delivery |
| Abu Dhabi Individual Box | Abu Dhabi residents | AED 250/year + AED 70 registration | Collect from the branch |
Note: The prices aforementioned are net prices and subject to a 5% VAT rate. These add-on services (mail forwarding, document scanning, or agent authorization) are provided on top of the basic rent and charge extra.
How to Get a P.O. Box in the UAE (Step-by-Step)
A P.O. Box can be applied for at any of their Emirates Post outlet locations and can be done online through their Emirates Post website (emiratespost.ae) and their mobile application.
Online Application Process
- Click on http://emiratespost.ae and then go to Personal Services > Rent a PO Box.
- Choose MyBox (Branch Pickup) or MyHome (Home Delivery)
- Go to Emirates Post and register an account in your name, Emirates ID, mobile number, and email address.
- Choose which branch you would like to obtain the P.O. Box at.
- Submit the necessary documents (copy of Emirates ID + passport if applicable)
- Pay the annual fee online with a Card issued by the UAE Authorities
- Publisher: The Library is owned by the consortium and operates from three locations. Owned by a consortium and has three branches. MyBox: 30AED – get an extra P.O. Box key from the chosen branch
- For corporate boxes, a visit to the branch is necessary to finish document verification.
Documents Required
| Applicant Type | Required Documents |
| UAE National (Individual) | Valid Emirates ID, passport-size photos |
| Expatriate (Individual) | Emirates ID, passport copy with residence visa, and photos |
| Company / Corporate | Trade license, Emirates ID of owner/manager, passport copy |
| Abu Dhabi residents | Emirates ID, passport, residence visa copy, rental agreement (if applicable) |
Note: P.O. Boxes can only be rented by legal UAE residents. Not applicable to tourists or short-term visitors. If you don’t live in the country and receive packages from it from time to time, the next logical option is the courier service that works with your cell phone number and street address.
What Is a Makani Number? UAE’s Building Address System
There are no postal codes in the UAE, and Dubai came up with a system called Makani, which is from the Arabic ‘my location’. The Dubai Municipality has issued10-digitgit Makani code to each building, villa, and public facility in Dubai.
A traditional postal code includes an entire district or zone, which may include thousands of buildings. One of the most exact addressing systems in the world, a Makani Number identifies a building entrance by name.
| Feature | Traditional Postal Code | Makani Number (Dubai) |
| Coverage | Entire district or zone | Single building entrance |
| Format | 5–6 digits or alphanumeric | 10 digits |
| Used for | Mail sorting & delivery | Navigation, courier delivery, emergency services |
| Required for mail? | Yes (in countries that use it) | No — supplementary to address |
| Where to find it | N/A for UAE | Building entrance plate, Makani app, Dubai Maps |
To determine your Makani Number, see the number on the entrance plate of your building. Alternatively, check it oon on the official Makani website and also the Dubai Maps App from a building name search or address search.
It isn’t necessarily required for all deliveries, but including your Makani number ensures faster courier (after 2026 Makani codes are mandatory for sharing the exact location for Aramex, DHL, and Amazon UAE).
Postal Code Reference for All 7 UAE Emirates (2026)
The same is true for the seven emirates; there is no traditional postal code, P.O. Box numbers for official mail,, and 00000 is the universal stand-in value for online forms. The following reference table is helpful:
| Emirate | Postal Code? | Online Form Placeholder | Addressing System | Notes |
| Dubai | None | 00000 | P.O. Box + Makani NumberThe The | Makani system covers all buildings; TAMM is not used here |
| Abu Dhabi | None | 00000 | P.O. Box + TAMM Address System | Abu Dhabi uses TAMM for digital addressing |
| Sharjah | None | 00000 | P.O. Box + Makani Number | Makani numbers assigned per building across the emirate |
| Ajman | None | 00000 | P.O. Box only | Smaller emirate; courier delivery by mobile + address |
| Ras Al Khaimah | None | 00000 | P.O. Box only | Known for mountains, the same PO Box system applies |
| Fujairah | None | 00000 | P.O. Box only | East coast emirate; use full address + mobile for couriers |
| Umm Al Quwain | None | 00000 | P.O. Box only | Central PO Box reference: 660 (for government offices) |
Note: Digital and Government Services in Abu Dhabi are found via the TAMM Address System. The city of Sharjah also has an addressing system that is specific to it. In either scenario, the code 00000 is the proper format for a postal code/Zip code field.
How to Format a Correct UAE Address in 2026
It isn’t so much about postal codes that cause many deliveries to be delayed; it’s about incomplete address formatting. The proper method for addressing UAE addresses for Emirates Post / Couriers / Online emails:
Standard UAE Address Format (Personal)
Line 1: Flat/Villa number, Building name or number
Line 2: Street name or area/community
Line 3: City/Emirate
Line 4: United Arab Emirates
Postal Code: 00000 (if required)
Mobile Number: Always include — couriers rely on this
Makani Number (optional): Speeds up courier delivery significantly
Standard UAE Address Format (Business)
Line 1: Company Name
Line 2: P.O. Box [Number]
Line 3: City/Emirate
Line 4: United Arab Emirates
Example (Personal): Flat 502, Al Barsha Mall, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Mobile: +971-5X-XXX-XXXX
Example (Business): XYZ Trading LLC, P.O. Box 45678, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Receiving Parcels Without a P.O. Box
Not everyone living in the UAE, especially those who reside in an apartment or villa, has a personal P.O. Box. The positive: You can still obtain parcels without one. In 2026, by this point, all courier companies, such as Aramex, DHL, FedEx, and Amazon UAE, will be delivering to homes and offices without the need for a P.O. Box.
If delivering a courier service without a P.O. Box:
- Full name of building and flat/villa number
- Community/Area Name
- Emirate and country
- Your appointment time (optional — alerts parents/guardians for pickup only when that time arrives)
- The orientation of the plate.• The make and number of the differential, if known (improves accuracy to a considerable extent)
- Vehicle control systems like Mac, Ferrari, and Tesla now favor it.• Many delivery apps now support it (Google Pin Link)
So what can’tbe doneo without a P.O. Box? Only official government mail, bank statements, and legal documents mailed via UAE posts. In these, it is strongly recommended to rent a P.O. box at AED 300/per year.
Read More:
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the postal code for Dubai?
There is no official postcode in Dubai. Fill out any form with a ZIP or postal code with 00000.
What is the postal code for Abu Dhabi?
There is no postal code for Abu Dhabi. The blank 00000 works with any online forms and the global shipping system.
What is the postal code for Sharjah?
For Sharjah, the system is that of the other emirates of the UAE, which have no postal code. Fill in 00000 wherever a blank is required.
Does the UAE have ZIP codes like the US?
No. ZIP Codes are not used in the UAE. It has a P.O. box system similar to what the United States employed, operated by Emirates Post, and has a default of 00000 for when numeric addresses need to be filled in forms online.
What is a Makani number, and how do I find mine?
The Dubai Municipality assigns each building in Dubai a unique 10-digit number, called a Makani number. Locate it on the entrance plate of your building, through the Makani app, or the Dubai Maps website.
How do I get a P.O. Box in Dubai?
Apply via online application on emiratespost.ae or in any Emirates Post branch using your Emirates ID anahe copy of your passport. From AED 300 Per Annum for individuals (MyBox) and AED 995 per annum for Home delivery (MyHome).
Can tourists get a P.O. Box in the UAE?
No, only the legal UAE residents are allowed to rent a P.O. Box. The tourist and visitor are required to use a courier delivery with a complete street address and mobile number.
What do I enter for a postal code when shopping on Amazon UAE?
Type 00000 in the postal code box. Amazon UAE doesn’t need to enter a postal code for UAE addresses, and the mobile number and address are mostly used for delivery.
Is 00000 an official UAE postal code?
No. 00000 is not a postal code, but a universally accepted default code that is included in online platforms where there is a requirement for a numerical postal code.
Does the UAE postal code system vary by emirate?
No, they all use the same postal system,m and the default postal code is also 00000.
What is the difference between a P.O. Box and a Makani number?
Official mail sent by Emirates Post is delivered to a P.O. Box. Makani numbers are not intended for postal mail; rather, they are building location codes used for navigating and delivery of couriers.
How do couriers deliver in the UAE without postal codes?
Couriers use your mobile phone number, full street address, GPS location, Google Map, pin, and Makani number. Currently, the majority of delivery apps in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have discontinued requiring postal codes. By 2026, most delivery apps in the UAE will have eliminated postal business codes.
