When you write "Return to Sender" on a piece of mail, does the Postal Service really send it back?

Question

When you write "Return to Sender" on a piece of mail, does the Postal Service really send it back?

Answer 1

Yes, if it is first class mail or above. If it is junk mail they throw it away.

Answer 2

Depends.  

First Class Mail, Priority Mail, Express Mail, and parcels "with obvious value" are returned to the sender if there is a return address.  If there is no return address it will go to the Mail Recovery Center where specially authorized employees will open the mail and attempt to find an address inside to return it to.  

Any mail with an additional service (Registered Mail, Certified, Insured) will be returned.  Mail such as this must have a return address.  Registered and Certified are add-ons to First Class Mail.  Insurance can be added to FCM or Standard Mail (Parcels)

Second Class Mail (Magazines) usually will not be sent back, but the mailer will be notified that the piece was refused.  

Bulk Business Mail (junk mail) will be returned to the sender ONLY if it has an endorsement such as "Address Service Requested".  In such cases it will be returned to the sender postage due - they will have to pay to get it back so they can correct their mailing list.  If there is no endorsement, it will be sent to the recycling bin, if there is one, or the trash can.

Answer 3

The Postal Service usually sends the mail back to the sender if the addressee is not traceable at the given location due to any reason whatsoever, if the name & address of sender is written. It is found that now-a-days only registered /insured mails are returned to the sender.