Filling in a form that asks for your Dubai address, postcode or Dubai PO Box number? You are not alone!
Dubai does not use area postcodes the way most countries do. Instead, letters and official mail go to a numbered PO Box run by Emirates Post.
This guide explains what a Dubai PO Box number is, what to type in a ZIP code field, how much a box costs in 2026 and how to get one. You will also find the official PO Box numbers of key Dubai government offices.
What Is a PO Box Number in Dubai?
A PO Box (Post Office Box) is a secure, private and lockable mailbox you rent from Emirates Post, the official postal operator of the UAE. Each box has its own number, like PO Box 123456.
That number becomes your verified mailing address. Letters, packets and parcels sent by post go to your box.
Why Dubai uses PO Boxes
- No area postcodes: The UAE does not use ZIP or postal codes for areas.
- Mail waits at the post office: Unless you pay for home delivery, your letters are kept safe at an Emirates Post branch.
- Easy for companies: Most businesses have a registered PO Box, and many employees use it for their official mail.
Emirates Post opened on 19 August 1909, when it was managed by the Indian Post Office Services. You can read more on the Emirates Post page on Wikipedia.
If you want your own private box, you can rent one online in minutes.
Dubai ZIP Code: What to Enter on Online Forms
Shopping online or filling in a foreign visa form? Many websites will not let you continue without a ZIP or postcode.
Dubai has no official ZIP code. Most people type 00000 to fill the field. This is a common workaround, not an official code, and it does not affect delivery.
| If the form asks for… | What to enter |
|---|---|
| ZIP / postcode (5 digits) | 00000 |
| ZIP / postcode (6 digits) | 000000 |
| PO Box | Your own or your company’s PO Box number |
| City | Dubai |
| Country | United Arab Emirates |
How to write a Dubai address
For letters (with a PO Box):
- Full name
- PO Box 123456
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Mobile number
For couriers (no PO Box needed):
- Full name
- Building name and flat or villa number
- Street and area
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Makani number (optional) and mobile number
Couriers usually deliver to your door and call your mobile. Post sent through Emirates Post needs your PO Box number.
PO Box Number vs Makani Number
People often mix these two up. They do very different jobs!
| Feature | PO Box number | Makani number |
|---|---|---|
| Who issues it | Emirates Post | Dubai Municipality |
| What it is | A rented mailbox number | A 10-digit code for a building entrance |
| Used for | Receiving letters and parcels by post | Finding an exact location on a map |
| Cost | Yearly fee | Free to look up in the Makani app |
| Changes when you move? | No | Yes, it belongs to the building |
Makani was launched in April 2015 and was designed by Dubai Municipality. Building entrances carry a plate with their 10-digit Makani number, and police and emergency services can use it to find you. For example, Dubai Municipality’s head office has Makani number 95279 30005.
A Makani number alone will not get you letters by post. For that, you still need a PO Box.
Personal PO Box Plans and Fees in 2026
Here’s the good news: a personal box costs less than many people expect. Emirates Post offers three personal plans:
| Plan | Yearly fee (VAT incl.) | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| MyBox | AED 300 | A physical PO Box at an Emirates Post location, 1 additional agent for the first year, SMS alerts, online mail history and secure storage of oversized items |
| MyHome | AED 695 | Weekly home delivery of unlimited mail and parcels, and you keep your PO Box number wherever you go |
| MyHome Instant | AED 995 | Daily home delivery, 1 additional agent for the first year, SMS alerts and online mail history (capped at 60 next-day deliveries per year) |
Extra costs and rules
- Registration fee: AED 70
- Each extra agent: AED 50 (an agent is someone allowed to collect your mail)
- Contract length: 1, 2, 3, 5 or 10 years
- Auto-renewal: Optional
- Refunds: Subscription fees are not refundable
- Renewal: Renew within 30 days of your contract expiry date
All personal plan details are on the official Emirates Post personal PO Box page.
One more thing to know: a MyBox stays at the branch you choose. Emirates Post cannot move a PO Box from one post office to another.
Corporate PO Box Plans and Fees
Running a business in Dubai? Companies and government organisations can rent a corporate box for bank letters, licensing mail and supplier invoices.
| Plan | Yearly fee | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Box (P.O. Box Standard) | AED 995 | 24/7 self-service access to your PO Box |
| Premium Box (EziMail Bronze) | AED 2,500 | Weekly onsite delivery and collection of inbound and outbound mail |
| Premium+ Box (EziMail Gold) | AED 12,000 | Onsite delivery and collection 6 days a week |
Corporate add-ons
| Add-on | Fee |
|---|---|
| Virtual PO Box | AED 995 |
| Additional trade license | AED 995 |
| Additional agent | AED 100 |
| Registration fee | AED 70 |
You can compare every option on the Emirates Post corporate PO Box page.
How to Get a PO Box Number in Dubai: Step by Step
Getting your own box is quick. Emirates Post lists the personal service as taking about 2 minutes to complete.
Apply online (website or app)
- Open the Emirates Post website or app. Online applications are open 24/7.
- Choose to rent a personal or corporate P.O. Box.
- Select your plan, such as MyBox, MyHome or MyHome Instant.
- Pick your preferred Emirates Post location if you chose MyBox.
- Create your Emirates Post account with your name, Emirates ID, mobile number and email.
- Choose your contract length (1 to 10 years).
- Pay by card, Apple Pay or Samsung Pay.
- Get your PO Box number and confirmation.
Apply at a branch
- Visit your nearest Emirates Post branch with your Emirates ID.
- Fill in the P.O. Box registration form.
- Pay by card, Apple Pay, cash or bank cheque.
- Receive your PO Box details.
Need help? Call Emirates Post on 600 599 999.
Documents You Need for a Dubai PO Box
The paperwork is short and simple.
| Applicant | Documents |
|---|---|
| Individual | Emirates ID |
| Company | Emirates ID and trade license |
Who can apply
- Individuals: You must be a UAE resident and at least 18 years old.
- Companies: Corporate boxes are for corporations and government organisations.
Visitors without UAE residency cannot rent a personal box, since you must be a UAE resident.
How to Find a PO Box Number in Dubai
Not sure what PO Box number to write? It depends on whose number you need.
Your own PO Box number
- Check your Emirates Post confirmation email or SMS.
- Log in to your Emirates Post account or app.
- Look at your rental receipt.
Your company’s PO Box number
- Check the company letterhead or email signature.
- Look at company documents or invoices.
- Ask your HR or admin team.
Another company’s or office’s PO Box number
- Visit the “Contact us” page on their official website.
- Check their invoices, letters or business cards.
- For government offices, use the table below.
There is no public list of personal PO Box numbers. You need to ask the person directly.
Official PO Box Numbers of Dubai Government Offices
Need to post a document to a government office? These numbers come from each office’s own website or an official Dubai Government site.
| Government office | PO Box number |
|---|---|
| Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) | 118899, Dubai |
| Dubai Municipality | 67, Dubai |
| Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) | 564, Dubai |
| General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs, Dubai (GDRFA) | 4333, Dubai |
You can confirm each one on the official pages:
- RTA employer profile on Dubai Careers
- Dubai Municipality head office contact page
- DEWA official contact page
- GDRFA Dubai contact information page
Always write the full name of the office above the PO Box number, so your letter reaches the right place.
Visiting Emirates Post by Metro
Want to sort out your box in person? The Metro takes you close to Dubai’s best-known post office without parking stress.
The Dubai Central Post Office in Al Karama is the oldest existing post office in the UAE, according to Emirates Post. It was built in 1975 and was first known as the General Post Office (GPO).
How to get there
- By Metro: Take the Red Line to ADCB Metro Station (once called Al Karama). The post office is a short walk away in Al Karama.
- From the Green Line: Change to the Red Line at Union or BurJuman.
Our guide to ADCB Metro Station Dubai shows the station’s location and nearby places. Coming from Deira? See our Union Metro Station Dubai complete details for the line change.
Emirates Post has many other branches across Dubai. Use the branch locator on the Emirates Post website to find the closest one.
Alternate Options
A personal PO Box isn’t the only way to get your mail. Depending on your needs, these may suit you better:
- Use your company’s PO Box: Many employers let staff receive official mail at the office box. Ask your HR team first.
- Choose MyHome instead of MyBox: Your mail comes to your home once a week, so you skip the branch visit.
- Get a virtual PO Box: Businesses can add a virtual box for AED 995.
- Use a courier with your street address: For online shopping, a full address, Makani number and mobile number usually work.
- Add an agent: Let a family member collect your mail for AED 50 per agent.
FAQ
What is the PO Box number of Dubai?
Dubai does not have one PO Box number for the whole city. Each person or company rents their own numbered box from Emirates Post. If a form asks for a PO Box and you don’t have one, use your company’s PO Box or rent your own from AED 300 a year.
What is the ZIP code for Dubai?
Dubai has no official ZIP or postcode. When an online form insists on one, most people enter 00000, which is a common workaround rather than an official code. For post, your PO Box number matters. For couriers, your full street address and mobile number matter.
How much does a PO Box cost in Dubai?
A personal MyBox costs AED 300 a year, MyHome costs AED 695 and MyHome Instant costs AED 995, all VAT inclusive. You also pay an AED 70 registration fee. Corporate boxes start from AED 995 a year.
How long does it take to get a PO Box in Dubai?
Emirates Post lists the personal PO Box service as taking about 2 minutes, and you can apply online 24/7. For corporate boxes, Emirates Post lists times from a few minutes up to 1 to 3 working days, depending on the plan.
Can I get a PO Box in Dubai without an Emirates ID?
No. Personal PO Box applicants must be UAE residents aged 18 or over, and the Emirates ID is the required document. If you are only visiting, you can use your hotel, employer or a friend’s address for courier deliveries instead.