Postcode Address File: Difference between revisions

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Revision as of 14:58, 25 January 2021

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The '''Postcode Address File''' ('''PAF''') is a database that contains all known "Delivery Points" and [[postcodes in the United Kingdom]]. The PAF is a collection of over 29 million Royal Mail postal addresses and 1.8&nbsp;million [[postcode]]s.<ref>{{cite web|title=PAF Stats|url=http://www.poweredbypaf.com/category/paf-stats/|website=Powered By Paf|publisher=Royal Mail Group Ltd|accessdateaccess-date=9 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309140048/http://www.poweredbypaf.com/category/paf-stats/|archive-date=9 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is available in a variety of formats including [[File Transfer Protocol|FTP]] download and compact disc, and was previously available as [[Digital Audio Tape]]. As owner of the PAF, Royal Mail is required by section 116 of the [[Postal Services Act 2000]] to maintain the data and make it available on reasonable terms. A charge is made for lookup services or wholesale supply of PAF data. Charges are regulated by [[Ofcom]]. It includes Small User Residential, Small User Organisation and Large User Organisation details. There have been requests as part of the [[Open Data in the United Kingdom|Open Data]] campaign for the PAF to be released by the government free of charge.<ref>{{cite news|first=Charles |last=Arthur |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2010/jan/22/postcode-petition-fails-blocked-number-ten |title=Developers dismayed as No.10 blocks free postcode file |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=22 January 2010 |accessdateaccess-date=10 June 2013}}</ref>

==Usage==

The "delivery points" held on the PAF are routing instructions used by Royal Mail staff to sort and deliver mail quickly and accurately. Elements of the address, including the post town and postcode, are occasionally subject to change, reflecting the operational structure of the postal delivery system. Each address is therefore not necessarily a geographically accurate description of where a property is located.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.postcomm.gov.uk/policy-and-consultations/consultations/postcode-address-file--changing-postal-addresses/PAFCodeofPracticeReviewFinalDoc.pdf |title=Ofcom &#124; Postal Services |publisher=Government of the United Kingdom |accessdateaccess-date=10 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929010447/http://www.postcomm.gov.uk/policy-and-consultations/consultations/postcode-address-file--changing-postal-addresses/PAFCodeofPracticeReviewFinalDoc.pdf |archive-date=29 September 2007 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Buildings which contain internal flats or businesses but have only one external front door will only have those internal elements recorded in PAF if the Royal Mail have direct access to them using a key or fob.

==File structure==

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| Dependent Thoroughfare Descriptor || || 20

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| Thoroughfare Name || Street<ref name="alliescomputing1">{{cite web|url=https://www.alliescomputing.com/support/how-to-address-uk-mail-correctly |title=How to address your UK mail correctly |publisher=alliescomputing.com |accessdateaccess-date=12 October 2018}}</ref> || 60

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| Thoroughfare Descriptor || || 20

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Some versions of the PAF also contain the '' 'Delivery Point Suffix (DPS)' '' used in [[RM4SCC|CBC (Customer Bar Code)]]. Alternatively the DPS can be found using Royal Mail's '' 'Postcode Information File (PIF)' ''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Know how: a user’s manual for Mailsort®, Walksort®, Presstream®, Cleanmail®, Presstream® Walksort®, Royal Mail International Bulk Mail™ and Automated Standard Tariff Large Letter®|url=http://www.royalmail.com/sites/default/files/docs/pdf/Know%20How%202006%20PIP%20vs%201.6a%20Accepted%20Changes.pdf|work=Royal Mail|accessdateaccess-date=23 February 2016|page=80|date=April 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302020136/http://www.royalmail.com/sites/default/files/docs/pdf/Know%20How%202006%20PIP%20vs%201.6a%20Accepted%20Changes.pdf|archive-date=2 March 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

==Licensing==