Service Endorsements#
Ancillary service endorsements are used by mailers to request an addressee’s new address and to provide the USPS with instructions on how to handle undeliverable pieces. The endorsements consist of one keyword: “Address,” “Forwarding,” “Return,” or “Change,” followed by the two words “Service Requested.” The endorsements are the same for all classes of mail, but the treatment for each class and applicable charges generally remain the same as the treatment under the previous system of endorsements. New ancillary service endorsements took effect July 1, 1997.
An endorsement must be printed in no smaller than 8-point type, and it must stand out clearly against its background. Brilliant colored envelopes and reverse printing are not permitted. There must be a 1/4-inch clear space around (above, below, and both sides) the endorsement. Any printing (including an endorsement or return address) on upgradable letter-size First-Class Mail or Standard Mail (A) must not interfere with the delivery address lines within the OCR read area.
The endorsement must be placed in one of these four positions:#
Immediately below the return address.
Immediately above the delivery address area (which includes the delivery address block and any related nonaddress elements such as a barcode, keyline, or optional endorsement line).
Immediately to the left of the postage area and below any rate marking.
Immediately below the postage area and below any rate marking.
First-Class Mail#
Service |
Action |
Comments |
|---|---|---|
Address Service Requested |
Months 1-12: piece forwarded; no charge; notice of new address provided: address correction fee ($0.50) charged Months 13-18: piece returned with new address; no charge Over 18 months or undeliverable: piece returned with reason; no charge |
Meets Move Update requirements |
Return Service Requested |
Mailpiece returned with new address or reason for nondelivery attached; no charge |
Meets Move Update requirements |
Change service Requested |
Separate notice of new address or reason for nondelivery provided; address correction fee charged. Piece disposed of |
Meets Move Update requirements. Can only be used with ACS |
Forward Service Requested or no endorsement |
Months 1-12: piece forwarded, no charge Months 13-18: piece returned with new address, no charge After 18 months or undeliverable: returned with reason, no charge |
Does not meet Move Update requirements. Used with NCOA or FastForward |
Standard Mail (A)#
Service |
Action |
Comments |
|---|---|---|
Address Service Requested |
Months 1-12: piece forwarded; no charge; notice of new address provided; address correction fee ($0.50) charged Months 13-18: piece returned with new address; Standard (A) weighted fee charged; no address correction fee charged Over 18 months or undeliverable: piece returned with reason; Standard (A) weighted fee charged; no address correction charge |
NCOA is recommended unless list is up-to-date |
Return Service Requested |
Mail piece returned with new address or reason for nondelivery attached; only Standard (A) single piece rate charged; no address correction fee is charged |
NCOA is recommended unless list is up-to-date |
Change Service Requested |
Separate notice of new address or reason for nondelivery provided; address correction fee charged. Piece disposed of |
If you want mail piece returned, use Return Service Requested |
Forward Service Requested |
Months 1-12: piece forwarded, no charge Months 13-18: piece returned with new address attached, only Standard (A) weighted fee charged. No address correction fee charged After 18 months or piece undeliverable: returned with reason, only Standard (A) weighted fee charged. No address correction fee charged |
Can be expensive for heavier pieces. Good for up-to-date lists |
No Endorsement |
Piece is disposed of |
Use only when confident list is up-to-date |