did you receive mail that is not yours and need to return it? happens. Can spam be returned to sender? short answer: yes. but there are a few reasons to return mail to sender and a different way for each.
what does return to sender mean? It is a common policy used by the United States Postal Service (USPS), UPS, FedEx, DHL, and other carriers to handle mail items that are misdelivered or refused.
how does it work? With return to sender, a carrier will collect the mail item, whether it was delivered to the wrong address or person or is refused, and return it to the sender. Follow the step-by-step guide below to learn which process to use.
someone who does not live at your address
if you recently moved and received mail from the previous resident. this happens often, and there is an easy way to fix it.
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write “not at this address” on the envelope or package
Also, you need to make sure all barcodes are defaced (if you don’t, you risk the letter or package being returned to your address).
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return the mail to your carrier or return it to a usps collection box
You can return mail by returning it to your mailbox or handing it to your mail carrier.
if it’s a card, you can also find the blue collection boxes around your city and drop it there. make sure you have typed “not at this address” in the mail element.
mail sent to the wrong address
mistakes happen. If your mail carrier delivered a mail item that shows a different address, it’s easy to re-deliver and you have two options:
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put the mail item back in your mailbox.
If you have a separate mailbox, please activate the red flag. if you have a communal mailbox, deposit the letter in the collection box.
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Deliver the mail item to your mail carrier.
Delivering your mail item directly to your mail carrier is the best approach if you received a misdelivered package.
When returning to the sender this way, you must not write anything on the envelope or package. however, it may be helpful to your mail carrier if you leave a sticky note on the item to let them know of the situation.
If you or someone you know receives mail at a difficult address with frequently misdelivered mail, you can opt for a virtual address to eliminate confusion.
mail you don’t want
If you receive an item in the mail addressed to you and you have the correct address, you have the option of rejecting it.
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write “rejected” in the mail element
Once you mark the mail item, return it to your mail carrier, via the drop box or by handing it over to your mail carrier.
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select the “rejected” checkbox on a signature token
certain types of mail come with a receipt with delivery instructions and options. check the “refused” box and the postman will not complete the delivery and return it to the sender.
This option works for mail that requires a signature, such as certified and registered mail, urgent express mail, cash on delivery, and insured mail over $200. Please note that you cannot refuse mail if you have already signed up to receive the mail item. If you signed for the letter or package, you will need to pay the postage to return it.
answers to your most frequently asked questions
how to return to sender with your ground class mail account
Returning to sender is easy with your ground class mail account. If you receive an email that is not addressed to you, click the “not my email” button on your dashboard. the mail item is returned to our processing team to ensure it is properly delivered to the correct person. visit here for a step-by-step guide to doing this within your dashboard.
Wish returning to sender was as easy as clicking a button? sign up for a virtual mailbox! learn more.
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