Undeliverable mail

Find out what happens to mail sent within New Zealand and from overseas that’s undeliverable.

When is mail considered undeliverable?

Mail is considered undeliverable if:

  • it does not display a complete and valid postal address
  • it is addressed to a non-existent postal address
  • the addressee has moved without providing a Mail redirection request or the request has expired
  • the item has insufficient postage for delivery
  • the item is prohibited by law

What happens to undeliverable mail?

Mail without a return address that can’t be delivered is dealt with in accordance with the Postal Services Act 1998.

Mail sent within New Zealand

  • Items sent within New Zealand that we can’t deliver and that have a sender’s address will be returned to the sender.
  • If the item does not have a visible sender address it is sent to the Returned Letter Office where the item is held in safe custody and opened to see if the contents identify the return address.
  • After 3 months at the Returned Letter Office, if the postal item remains unclaimed and the sender has not been identified, NZ Post may destroy or otherwise dispose of the item.

Mail sent from overseas

  • Undelivered letters, small parcels and all registered mail are returned to the country they were sent from. Parcels that are insured or over 2kg, and courier items, are dealt with according to the instructions on the customs declaration or consignment note.
  • Printed papers are only returned to the country they were sent from if specifically requested by the sender. This information must be marked on the item in the language of the destination country.