(a) First-class mail-(1) Letters and packages. First-class mail weighing not more than 12 ounces, except postal and post cards, is returned to the sender. if known, without additional charge. See § 159.2(f) for mail weighing over 12 ounces. Any postage due because of failure to fully prepay postage at the time of mailing will be collected from the sender when the undeliverable mail is returned. When first-class mail bearing the words "Address Correction Requested" is forwarded to a new address, the sender is notified on Form 3547, Notice to Mailer of Correction in Address, of the new address. The charge for this notice is 10 cents.

(2) Postal and post cards. Undeliverable postal and post cards are handled as follows:

(i) A card bearing the sender's address and the words "Return Postage Guaranteed" is returned without the reason for nondelivery endorsed thereon, and postage at the card rate is collected on delivery to the sender. The piece will be marked "Undeliverable as Addressed."

(ii) A card bearing the words "Address Correction Requested" is returned to the sender with the reason for nondelivery endorsed thereon. The card serves as the address correction notice. The charge for this notice is 10 cents. There is not an additional charge for return postage.

(iii) If the full amount of card rate postage was not paid at the time of mailing, the amount of the deficiency is collected from the sender when the undeliverable card is returned.

(iv) When a card bearing the words "Address Correction Requested" is forwarded to a new address, the sender is notified on Form 3547, Notice to Mailer of Correction in Address, of the new address. The charge for this notice is 10 cents.

(v) Cards not bearing the words "Return Postage Guaranteed" or "Address Correction Requested" are disposed of at the post office where they become undeliverable.

(vi) When single cards and double cards without postage affixed to the reply portion bear the sender's return address and his guarantee to pay return postage, return to sender charged with postage due at the rate applicable to post cards.

(vii) Double cards having postage affixed to the reply portion, and bearing the sender's return address and his guarantee to pay return postage, must be:

(a) Marked on the original portion for return to the sender and endorsed to show the reason for nondelivery.

(b) Reverse folded so that address side of the reply portion is faced out. (c) Postmarked on the face of the reply portion, and

(d) Returned without collection of additional postage.

(3) Letters showing return address of hotel or motel-(i) When to return. Return letters bearing:

(a) The name of an individual in the return address.

(b) A specific request for return as part of the return address.

(c) The name of an office or officer as part of the return address, such as "Office of the Auditor, Cashier, President."

(ii) When not to return. Do not return letters having only the name or name and address of a hotel or motel printed as an advertisement.

(4) Opened by mistake. Return to the writer, without additional charge, fully prepaid undeliverable letters opened by mistake.

(b) Second class mail-(1) Change in local address-(i) Delivery for 3 months. When there has been any kind of a change in the local address, copies of second-class publications bearing the old local address shall be delivered to the new local address without charge for a period of 3 months even though the copies bear the request of the sender for return. The words "local address" as used in § 159.2(b) mean any address served by the city, rural, or star carriers of any specific post office or a post office box or general delivery address at the post office. Form 3578, Change of Address Notice to Publishers, shall be furnished to the addressee at the new local address, and he shall be requested to use it promptly for furnishing the new local address to the sender. Form 3578 shall not be inserted in the copies but shall be delivered to the addressee separately from the copies.

(ii) Procedure after 3 months. When copies bearing the old local address are received after period of 3 months, the carrier or clerk serving the old address shall write the new local address, including ZIP Code number, on Form 3579, Undeliverable Second Class Matter, which shall then be fixed to the copies, envelopes, or wrappers, near but not over the old address. The copies shall then be

delivered to the inquiry section or to the clerk designated by the postmaster to receive them. The portion of the page, envelope, or wrapper which bears both the old address, including ZIP Code number, if any, and Form 3579 shall then be cut or torn from the copies, envelopes, or wrappers, placed in an envelope, and mailed directly to the publisher, news agent, or other sender. The address on the envelope shall always include the name of the publication. Any number of notices may be returned in one envelope. Each envelope shall be rated with postage due at the rate of 10 cents for each notice contained in the envelope. Copies bearing the old address which are received after the mailing of the notice shall be disposed of as waste. When the copies bear the request of the sender for return, the portion of the page, envelope, or wrapper, shall not be detached, and after expiration of the 3 months' period each complete copy shall be returned to the sender rated with postage due at the transient rate on each individually addressed copy or package of unaddressed copies and 10 cents for the notice on Form 3579 affixed thereto.

(2) Undeliverable for any reason other than change in local address. When copies of second-class publications are undeliverable as addressed for any reason other than a change in the local address, the carrier or clerk serving the old address shall prepare Form 3579 and affix it to the first undeliverable copy, or its envelope or wrapper, near but not over the old address, and then deliver the copy to the inquiry section or to the designated clerk. If a new address has been entered on the form, the ZIP Code number for that address must be shown. If the copies do not bear the request of sender for return, the notice shall be mailed to the sender. Copies bearing the old address which are received after the mailing of the notice shall be disposed of as waste. When the copies bear the request of the sender for return, each complete copy, beginning with the first one undeliverable as addressed, shall be returned to the sender rated with postage due at the transient rate on each individually addressed copy or package of unaddressed copies and 10 cents for the notice on Form 3579.

(3) Pledge of addressee to pay forwarding postage. When a change of address is other than a change of local address, and the addressee has filed a

written guarantee either on Form 3575 or otherwise to pay forwarding postage, the copies of second-class publications bearing the old address shall be forwarded to the new address for a period of 3 months rated with postage due at the transient rate, computed on each individually addressed copy or package of unaddressed copies. Form 3578 shall be furnished to the addressee at the new address. If the addressee refuses to pay the postage due, the postmaster at the old address shall be requested by the postmaster at the new address to immediately discontinue forwarding the copies. When copies bearing the old address, but not the request of the sender for return, are received after the period of 3 months has expired, a notice shall be prepared and mailed to the sender. Copies bearing the old address which are received after the mailing of the notice shall be disposed of as waste. When the copies bear the request of the sender for return, each complete copy beginning with the first one bearing the old address received after the period of 3 months has expired, shall be returned to the sender rated with postage due at the transient rate on each individually addressed copy or package of unaddressed copies and 10 cents for the notice on Form 3579.

(4) Manner in which the request of the sender shall be shown. The words Return Postage Guaranteed shall be printed on the envelopes or wrappers or on one of the outside covers of unwrapped copies, immediately preceded by the sender's name and address, including ZIP Code.

(5) Failure to follow procedure. When postmasters do not comply with the instruction in this paragraph their noncompliance should be brought directly to their attention by any postmaster who observes the noncompliance. In all cases where a change of address is not made by the sender within 3 months after the notice is sent on Form 3579, the postmaster at the office of mailing shall be requested on Form 3538, Irregular Handling of Undeliverable Second-Class or Controlled Circulation Publication, to instruct the sender to make the change.

(6) Canadian publications. The procedure prescribed by subparagraphs (1) through (3) of this paragraph shall be followed when copies of Canadian second-class publications are undeliverable as addressed.

(7) Special circumstances. See §§ 158.4, 158.5 of this chapter for instructions as to forwarding publications under the special circumstances described therein.

(c) Controlled circulation publications. Undeliverable copies mailed by a publisher will be treated as described in subparagraphs (1) through (4) of this paragraph. The single piece third-class rate or the fourth-class rate according to the weight of each individually addressed copy or package of unaddressed copies is applicable, in addition to the 10-cent fee for Form 3579, to each individually addressed copy or package of unaddressed copies bearing the sender's pledge "Return Postage Guaranteed."

(d) Third-class mail—(1) Return of mail. Undeliverable third-class mail bearing the words "Return Postage Guaranteed" will be returned to the sender and postage at the single-piece thirdclass rate will be collected on delivery. The piece will be marked “undeliverable as addressed." The reason why the piece is undeliverable as addressed or the addressee's new address will not be endorsed on the piece.

(2) Forwarding and return of mail. Undeliverable third-class mail bearing the words "Forwarding and Return Postage Guaranteed" will be forwarded when the new address is known. Postage at the single-piece third-class rate will be collected from the addressee. If the addressee refuses to pay the forwarding postage, the piece will be returned to the sender who must pay postage at the single-piece third-class rate for its forwarding plus postage at the single-piece third-class rate for its return. If the piece cannot be forwarded because the new address is not known, it will be given the "Return Postage Guaranteed" service.

(3) Address correction service. The addressee's new address, or the reason why a third-class mailing piece is undeliverable if the new address is not known, may be obtained by the sender either independently of, or in combination with the return and forwarding services provided by subparagraphs (1) and (2) of this paragraph. To obtain these services, the mailing piece must bear the words: "Address Correction Requested," or "Address Correction Requested Return Postage Guaranteed" or "Address Correction Requested Forwarding and Return Postage Guaranteed," according to the service desired. The following conditions govern these services:

(i) A piece weighing 2 ounces or less bearing the words "Address Correction Requested" will be returned to the sender for a fee of 10 cents with the new address or reason endorsed on the piece.

(ii) When a piece weighing more than 2 ounces bears the words "Address Correction Requested," Form 3579 will be used to notify the sender for a fee of 10 cents. Form 3579 and the old address portion of the mailing piece will be prepared for mailing to the sender in an envelope, in the same manner the form is prepared for mailing to second-class and controlled circulation publications.

(iii) When a piece weighing more than 2 ounces and bearing the words "Address Correction Requested Return Postage Guaranteed" or "Address Correction Requested Forwarding and Return Postage Guaranteed" must be returned to the sender by the post office of original address because the piece cannot be forwarded, Form 3579 will be affixed to the piece, and it will be returned to the sender for a fee of 10 cents for the Form 3579 plus the single piece third-class postage for the piece.

(iv) When a piece of any weight bearing the words "Address Correction Requested," "Address Correction Requested Return Postage Guaranteed," or "Address Correction Requested Forwarding and Return Postage Guaranteed" is forwarded to the addressee in compliance with either the sender's or addressee's guarantee to pay forwarding postage (see § 158.1(a) (3)), Form 3547 will be used by the forwarding post office to furnish the sender the new address for a fee of 10 cents.

(e) Fourth-class mail. (1) Undeliverable fourth-class mail will be handled according to the instructions in paragraph (d) of this section for handling third-class mail weighing more than 2 ounces, except that fourth-class rates apply wherever third-class rates are mentioned. Address correction and return and forwarding services provided for third-class mail may be used for fourth-class mail.

(2) Return to the sender, or the person designated by him, undeliverable mail having obvious value or bearing the words "Return Postage Guaranteed.” (If the mail bears instructions of the sender to destroy or abandon follow the procedures in subparagraph (7) of this paragraph.)

(3) When fourth-class mail of obvious value bearing a postage meter stamp of a

private meter user is received unaddressed and without return address and delivery cannot be made, return the piece to the mailing office. The office of mailing shall deliver the piece to the meter licensee on payment of the return postage.

(4) Compute and mark the charge on each piece. In determining the amount due compute postage at the applicable rate between the returning office and the office to which the piece is returned. If the piece has been marked to show that forwarding postage is due, add this amount to the return charge.

(5) When articles correctly prepaid at the rates in § 135.1 (b) (3), (1)(c), or (1) (d) are returned, compute the return charge at the same rate or 10 cents, whichever is higher. For catalogs prepaid at the rates in § 135.1(b) (1), compute return postage at the rates in § 135.1 (b) (3).

(6) If effort has been made to deliver a piece addressed for local delivery, do not return it to the sender without payment of the applicable charge.

(7) When undeliverable domestic ordinary, insured, or COD mail; or when undeliverable ordinary, insured, COD, or registered articles of domestic origin and foreign address bear instructions of the sender to abandon or destroy, hold for the prescribed retention period and then: (i) Strip the mail and dispose of the contents as prescribed in § 159.7(b).

(ii) Notify the sender on Form 3858, Notice of Undeliverable or Abandoned Mail, relative to insured and COD mail only.

(iii) Treat packages of foods, drugs, and cosmetics in accordance with paragraph (i) of this section.

(f) Airmail. Airmail weighing 9 ounces or less and priority mail (heavy pieces) will be returned by the same transportation as first-class mail at no additional charge. Priority mail (heavy pieces) includes all airmail weighing over 9 ounces which has postage prepaid thereon at the rates provided by § 136.1(b) of this chapter.

(g) Registered, certified, insured, and COD (1) Notice. When mail is undeliverable as addressed and cannot be forwarded, a notice is sent to the mailer on Form 3858, Notice of Undeliverable or Abandoned Mail, showing the reason. By completing the form and returning it immediately in an envelope bearing firstclass postage, the mailer may tell the postmaster what to do with the mail. Mail will be returned to the mailer if

there is no response. The postage charge, if any, for returning the mail (but not registration, insurance, certified or COD fees) will be collected from the mailer. EXCEPTION: When registered, certified, insured, and COD mail is addressed to a person who has moved and left no forwarding address, Form 3858 will not be sent, and the mail will be returned immediately to the mailer. Registered, certified, insured, and COD nixie mail shall be returned immediately to sender.

(h) Disposal of perishable mail, drugs, and cosmetics—(1) Perishable mail. Undeliverable parcels containing perishable items that cannot be forwarded or returned before spoiling, and parcels of day-old poultry that cannot be delivered or returned within 60 hours after hatching, if salable will be disposed of by the postmaster to the highest bidder through competitive bidding. Sale by bid will not be made to the addressee. The postmaster will send the proceeds of the sale, less a commission of 10 percent (but not less than 25 cents), to the mailer, by postal money order, with an explanation of the action taken. The postal money order fee will be deducted.

(2) Drugs. Packages undeliverable to either the addressee or the sender that contain drugs will be destroyed. They will not be sold, donated, or retained as dead parcel post.

(3) Cosmetics. Packages undeliverable to either the addressee or the sender that contain cosmetics, such as soaps, perfumes, powders, home permanent waves, hand lotions, hand creams, after-shave lotions, and deodorant sticks or pastes, which bear no statements claiming medicinal properties, will be treated as dead parcel post. Lipsticks will be destroyed. If there is any question whether the use of a cosmetic might, as the result of deterioration or for other reason, jeopardize life or health, the article will be destroyed.

(4) Prohibited bidders. Postal employees may not submit bids at sales of perishable mail.

(i) Disposal to institutions-(1) Food. Usable food items treated as dead mail may be donated to charitable institutions, or public institutions supported in whole or in part by Federal, State, county, or municipal funds. These institutions include but are not limited to hospitals, asylums, and reformatories. The following conditions apply:

(i) "Homemade" items must not be donated but must be destroyed. If any

doubt exists as to whether an item is "homemade," the item shall be destroyed.

(ii) If the local municipal welfare department will assume responsibility for distribution of usable food items to eligible institutions, this method is preferred. Otherwise, postmasters shall equitably apportion the items among eligible applicant institutions.

(iii) The recipient must sign a release stating that the Postal Service is relieved of all responsibility connected with the food items or their subsequent use. Releases must be retained in post office files.

(iv) No selection shall be made by the receiving institutions as to the type or quantity of food items to be accepted.

(v) Food items must be called for as soon as possible. Postmasters may deliver these items, but only if unusual circumstances prevail.

(vi) Food items that cannot be disposed of by donation shall be destroyed. (2) Periodical publications. On request, copies of undeliverable newspapers, magazines, and other periodical publications may be furnished to reformatory institutions, hospitals, asylums, and other similar institutions which are organized for charitable purposes or which are supported in whole or part by Federal, State, or municipal funds, under the following conditions:

(i) No additional clerical time shall be used in the post office over that required for disposal of the copies as waste material.

(ii) No selection shall be made by the receiving institutions as to character, quality, or type of publications to be furnished.

(iii) The receiving institutions shall call for the copies promptly after notification of their availability, or on a scheduled basis.

(iv) The receiving institutions shall be informed that this privilege is entirely at the option of the Postal Service and may be curtailed or discontinued at any time without notice.

(3) Samples of merchandise. Dispose of undeliverable samples of merchandise sent for advertising purposes, which do not bear the words "Return Postage Guaranteed," as follows:

(i) Remove and destroy wrappers if that is practicable and can be accomplished without additional expense. Deliver impartially to charitable or reformatory institutions that promise their free distribution.