USPS Returned Mail Reasons
If you've received a letter back from the USPS and it includes a yellow Return To Sender (RTS) included on it, it will provide a reason for the letter being returned.
This article goes over the possible reasons along with a description of each.
Exhibit 1.4.1 USPS Endorsements for Mail Undeliverable as Addressed
Attempted—Not Known
Delivery attempted, addressee not known at place of address.
Box Closed—No Order*
Post office box closed for nonpayment of rent.
Deceased
Used only when known that addressee is deceased and mail is not properly deliverable to another person. This endorsement must be made personally by delivery employee and under no circumstance may it be rubber-stamped. Mail addressed in care of another is marked to show which person is deceased.
Delivery Suspended to Commercial Mail Receiving Agency
Failure to comply with 508.1.8.1 through 508.1.8.3.
Illegible*
Address not readable.
In Dispute*
Mail returned to sender by order of chief field counsel (or under 508.1.0 and 508.2.0) because of dispute about right to delivery of mail and cannot be determined which disputing party has better right to mail.
Insufficient Address*
Mail without number, street, box number, route number, or geographical section of city or city and state omitted and correct address not known.
Moved, Left No Address
Addressee moved and filed no change-of-address order.
No Mail Receptacle*
Addressee failed to provide a receptacle for receipt of mail.
No Such Number*
Addressed to nonexistent number and correct number not known.
No Such Office in State*
Addressed to nonexistent Post Office.
No Such Street*
Addressed to nonexistent street and correct street not known.
Not Deliverable as Addressed—Unable to Forward
Mail undeliverable at address given; no change-of-address order on file; forwarding order expired.
Outside Delivery Limits*
Addressed to location outside delivery limits of Post Office of address. Hold mail for out-of-bounds customers in general delivery for specified period unless addressee filed order.
Refused*
Addressee refused to accept mail or pay postage charges on it.
Returned for Better Address*
Mail of local origin incompletely addressed for distribution or delivery.
Returned for Postage
Mail without postage or indication that postage fell off.
Returned to Sender, Mailpiece Contains Nonmailable Contents.
Mail returned to sender due to contents that are nonmailable.
Returned to Sender Due to Addressee’s Violation of Postal False Representation and Lottery Law*
Mail returned to sender under false representation order and lottery order.
Returned to Sender Due to Addressee’s Violation of Postal False Representation Law*
Mail returned to sender under false representation order.
Returned to Sender Due to Addressee’s Violation of Postal Lottery Law*
Mail returned to sender under lottery order
Temporarily Away*
Addressee temporarily away and period for holding mail expired.
Unclaimed*
Addressee abandoned or failed to call for mail.
Undeliverable as Addressed, Missing PMB or # Sign
Failure to comply with 508.1.8.2e.
Vacant*
House, apartment, office, or building not occupied. (Use only if mail addressed “Occupant.”)