772 Mail of Foreign Origin

772.1 Marking

772.11 Reason for Nondelivery

At the end of the retention period (see 766), or sooner, when applicable, undeliverable items must be endorsed with the reason for nondelivery (see DMM 507).

772.12 Postmarking

Apply a legible postmark to the back of return letters and to the front of return postcards.

772.13 Address

Cross out but do not obliterate the address, and draw an arrow to return address.

772.14 Method of Return

Undeliverable airmail letters and cards and all First-Class Mail International items marked “PRIORITY” are returned to origin by air. All parcels and
other items are returned by surface. Any “AIRMAIL” or “PAR AVION” endorsements or label must be obliterated on undeliverable items returned by surface.

772.15 Abandoned Parcel

If the sender of a parcel has given instructions on the wrapper or dispatch note that the parcel is to be abandoned if undeliverable, endorse the parcel “ABANDONED” (see 772.32c).

772.2 Dutiable Mail

Detach both copies of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Form 3419ALT (see 713.11) and treat them in accordance with 713.33 and 713.52.

772.3 Disposal

772.31 General Procedure

Dispatch undeliverable letters and postcards bearing a return address to the appropriate exchange office as if they were originating mail. Dispatch all other undeliverable items to the appropriate exchange office as if they were originating mail.

772.32 Exceptions

The following exceptions apply:

1. Postcards that do not bear the sender’s request for return and postcards with no return address are disposed of in accordance with DMM 507.
2. Ordinary (unregistered) printed matter, other than books, which does not bear the sender’s request for return, is disposed of in accordance with DMM 507. Books and registered prints must always be returned to origin.
3. Parcels with no return address or endorsed “ABANDONED” (see 772.15) must be sent to the Mail Recovery Center. If the parcel was assessed duty, detach CBP Form 3419ALT (see 713.11) and report it as an uncollected item (see 713.52) before forwarding it to the Mail Recovery Center.
4. Canadian Periodicals Mail publications are treated in accordance with DMM 507.
5. Canadian originating mail of all classifications not covered by a and b above and not bearing the sender’s name and address must be sent to the following address:

UNDELIVERABLE MAIL OFFICE
CANADA POST CORPORATION
1860 MIDLAND AVE UNIT 1
SCARBOROUGH ON M1P 2M0
CANADA