USPS Returned Mail Reasons
Getting Started
When mail is returned by the USPS with a yellow "Return to Sender" (RTS) label, it includes a reason for the return. This guide explains each RTS reason based on USPS definitions so you can better understand why your letter was undeliverable.
In This Article
Common RTS Reasons
- Attempted—Not Known: Delivery attempted but addressee not known at the address.
- Box Closed—No Order: P.O. box closed due to nonpayment.
- Deceased: Addressee is known to be deceased and mail cannot be delivered 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.
- Illegible: The address cannot be read.
- Insufficient Address: Missing key address components like street name or city/state.
- Moved, Left No Address: Addressee moved without filing a change-of-address.
- No Mail Receptacle: No mailbox or receptacle was provided for delivery.
- No Such Number: The street number does not exist, and the correct number is unknown.
- No Such Office in State: Addressed to a nonexistent post office.
- No Such Street: Addressed to a nonexistent street.
- Not Deliverable as Addressed—Unable to Forward: No change-of-address order on file or forwarding order expired.
- Outside Delivery Limits: Address is beyond the delivery area of the local post office. Will be held for out-of-bounds customers in general delivery for specified period unless addressee filed order.
- Refused: Addressee refused delivery or payment of postage.
- Returned for Better Address: Locally originated mail was not fully or correctly addressed.
- Returned for Postage: Mail lacked sufficient or any postage.
- Vacant: Addressed location is unoccupied (used only for "Occupant" mailings).
Additional RTS Reasons
- In Dispute: Mail returned to sender due to a legal dispute over delivery rights.
- Returned to Sender, Mailpiece Contains Nonmailable Contents: Contents nonmailable under USPS mailing rules.
- Returned to Sender Due to Addressee’s Violation of Postal Laws: Violation of false representation or lottery orders.
- Undeliverable as Addressed, Missing PMB or # Sign: Failure to comply with 508.1.8.2e.
Temporary and Refusal Notices
- Delivery Suspended to Commercial Mail Receiving Agency: Due to non-compliance with USPS regulations 508.1.8.1 through 508.1.3.
- Temporarily Away: Addressee was away and the mail hold period expired.
- Unclaimed: Addressee did not collect the mail.