If your mailpiece cannot be delivered as addressed and you haven't included an ancillary service endorsement, the USPS will handle it according to its standard procedures for the specific mail class:
Priority Mail and First-Class Mail:
- Similar to "Forwarding Service Requested", the mailpiece will be forwarded to the recipient's new address if they have a change-of-address on file.
- If forwarding is not possible, the mailpiece will be returned to the sender using the return address on the envelope or package.
- Important Note: The time it takes for a mailpiece to be returned can vary significantly.
Standard Mail:
- Undeliverable Standard Mail is typically disposed of by the USPS. This means you won't receive any notification or have the mailpiece returned.
Why this matters:
Without an ancillary endorsement, you lose control over how undeliverable mail is handled. This can lead to:
- Missed deliveries: Your mail might not reach the intended recipient if they've moved.
- Lost mail: You might not be aware of delivery issues, especially with Standard Mail, which is simply discarded.
- Outdated contact information: You won't receive updates on address changes, leading to inaccurate mailing lists.
Carly Brown
Comments