What happens to nondeliverable mail?
If mail is nondeliverable as addressed, or the address cannot be determined, we make an attempt to determine who the sender is and return the piece. Sometimes we cannot determine who the sender or intended recipient is. In these cases the article is sent to one of four mail recovery centers where it is opened in an attempt to identify either the sender or intended recipient. If this can be determined, the item will be delivered or returned. If, after opening, we still cannot identify either the intended recipient or sender, the item is held for a period of time in the event a claim or mail loss report is filed by one of the parties. If, after a period of time, the item remains unclaimed it is either disposed of or auctioned. Postal Service Mail Recovery Centers handle approximately 80 million pieces of mail annually. Most of this mail is diverted to these centers because of improper or illegible addressing, or because the packaging used by the sender is insufficient to prevent damage t
