How to Handle Undeliverable Postcards Without a Return Address by USPS Standards
The United States Postal Service (USPS) has strict standards on what to do with mail that can not be delivered to the address listed. In most cases, all mail, including postcards, are sent back to the sender with a reason for nondelivery. However, postcards without a return address can't go back to the sender so different procedures apply. In most instances, the USPS allows for the disposal of the card.
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Instructions
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Ensure the postcard is undeliverable. Postcards may be undeliverable by the USPS for a variety of reasons including insufficient postage, insufficient address, a return from the address listed or no forwarding address. The reason for nondelivery is noted on the card.
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Declare the postcard as dead mail. Once all reasonable attempts have been made to mail or return the postcard, it is undeliverable and classified as dead mail.
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Check that there is no address information for the sender. A postal service employee may read the postcard to ensure that there is no address information for the sender either in a standard location for a return address or elsewhere on the postcard.
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Dispose of the postcard. Postcards classified as dead mail are shredded or completely destroyed at the local post office. If the local office is unable to destroy the postcard, it must go to a USPS mail recovery center for proper disposal.
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References
- Photo Credit vintage post cards image by Paul Coskery from Fotolia.com
