Guide · PstlAdr

PstlAdr ISO 20022 example: spotting an address that is ready

Searches about PstlAdr often start from the same question: what does an acceptable payment address actually look like? These three patterns are the ones finance teams should separate before cleanup.

What PstlAdr does

PstlAdr is the postal address block attached to a party in a payment file. It can contain free address lines, structured fields, or a hybrid combination depending on the applicable rules.

Preparing a file is not only about valid XML. Teams need to know whether town and country are available in the right fields and which rows remain risky.

The three cases to recognize

An address made only of AdrLine values is the weakest pattern when flows require at least town and country to be structured.

A hybrid address keeps some detail in a free line, but places critical elements in dedicated fields.

A structured address separates street, number, postal code, town and country code into the expected fields.

Short examples

Risky: town and country buried in AdrLine

<PstlAdr>
  <AdrLine>8 bis boulevard Voltaire</AdrLine>
  <AdrLine>75011 Paris, France</AdrLine>
</PstlAdr>

Hybrid: town and country in dedicated fields

<PstlAdr>
  <AdrLine>8 bis Boulevard Voltaire</AdrLine>
  <PstCd>75011</PstCd>
  <TwnNm>Paris</TwnNm>
  <Ctry>FR</Ctry>
</PstlAdr>

Structured: each element in its field

<PstlAdr>
  <StrtNm>Boulevard Voltaire</StrtNm>
  <BldgNb>8 bis</BldgNb>
  <PstCd>75011</PstCd>
  <TwnNm>Paris</TwnNm>
  <Ctry>FR</Ctry>
</PstlAdr>

Checks to run

1TwnNm contains the town only, not postal code and town combined.
2Ctry contains an ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country code, for example FR or DE.
3AdrLine does not contradict or duplicate structured fields.
4Risky rows are prioritized before bank submission.
5The file is tested with the relevant bank or payment channel.

FAQ

Is AdrLine always forbidden?

No. The hybrid format may remain acceptable depending on the flow, as long as critical fields such as town and country are provided separately.

Why is Ctry FR and not France?

Ctry expects an ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country code. France, FRA or French are not the right format for that field.

Review your PstlAdr blocks before the deadline

Struct20022 helps finance teams spot risky rows and prioritize cleanup before payment submission.

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