If you put mail in a mailbox without a stamp, several things could happen.
Here’s how the mail is processed and identified by the United States Postal Service (USPS)…
- Returned to Sender – If the piece of mail has a return address, the USPS may return it to the sender for postage to be affixed. This is the most common outcome for unstamped mail when a clear return address is provided.
- Delivered with Postage Due – In some cases, the USPS might deliver the mail to the intended recipient with a notice that postage is due. The recipient would then be responsible for paying the postage that was not paid by the sender.
- Discarded or Destroyed – If there is no return address and the USPS cannot deliver the mail to the intended recipient with postage due, the mail might be discarded or destroyed. This is more likely with items that do not appear to have significant value or importance.
- Held at the Post Office – Occasionally, mail without a stamp might be held at the recipient’s local post office, and they may receive a notification to come and pay the postage due to receive their mail.
Sending mail without a stamp is not a recommended practice, as it can lead to delays, additional costs, or the loss of the mail item altogether. Affix the correct postage to ensure that your mail is delivered promptly and reliably. For those unsure about the correct amount of postage, visiting a local post office or using a postage calculator available on the USPS website can provide guidance.
