Quick Service Guide 507d
Additional Services
Ancillary Service Endorsements

January 2006
Printer-Friendly PDF

Overview (507.1.4)

Ancillary service endorsements are used by mailers to request an addressee's new address and to provide the USPS with instructions on how to handle undeliverable-as-addressed pieces. The endorsements consist of one keyword: "Address," "Return," "Change," or "Forwarding," followed by the two words "Service Requested." The endorsements are the same for all classes of mail, but the treatment and cost differ by class of mail. Use of an ancillary service endorsement on a mailpiece obligates the mailer to pay any applicable charges for forwarding, return, and separate address notification charges.

General (102.4.2)

Proper placement of the endorsement is required. If the endorsement cannot be seen or understood, you might not receive the service requested. A return address as presented in 602.1.6 must be used and placed in the upper left corner of the address side of the mailpiece or the upper left corner of the addressing area. If a return address is a multiple delivery address, it must show a unit designation (e.g., apartment number). The endorsement and return address must read in the same direction as the delivery address.

Other Physical Standards (102.4.3)

An endorsement must be printed in no smaller than 8-point type, and it must stand out clearly against its background. Brilliant-colored envelopes and reverse printing are not permitted. There must be a 1/4-inch clear space around all sides of the endorsement.

Placement of Endorsement (letters, 202.4; flats, 302.3; parcels, 402.3)

The endorsement must be placed in one of these four positions:

1. Directly below the return address.
2. Directly above the delivery address area (which includes the delivery address block and any related nonaddress elements such as a barcode, keyline, or optional endorsement line).
3. Directly to the left of the postage area and below or to the left of any rate marking.
4. Directly below the postage area and below any rate marking.

For a detailed listing of the endorsements, see 507.1.5. For the specific DMM standards applicable to this category of mail, consult the DMM sections referenced above and the general sections within each DMM module.

Ancillary Service Endorsements

For a detailed description of USPS actions, see 507.1.5.

Address Service Requested¹ 
Forwarding and return. New separate address notification provided.

Return Service Requested
No forwarding, only return. New address notification provided.

Mailer Endorsement and USPS Action Priority Mail and First-Class Mail Standard Mail  Package Services Mailpiece returned with new address or reason for nondelivery attached. No charge. Appropriate single-piece First-Class Mail or Priority Mail rate charged. Return postage charged at appropriate single-piece rate.

Change Service Requested^{1, 3}
No forwarding or return. New address notification provided.

Mailer Endorsement and USPS Action Priority Mail and First-Class Mail Standard Mail Package Services Separate notice of new address or reason for nondelivery provided; mailpiece disposed of by USPS. Manual notice: N/A. Electronic notice: $0.21 each. Manual notice: $0.75. Electronic notice: $0.21. Manual notice: $0.75. Electronic notice: $0.21.

Forwarding Service Requested
Forwarding and return. New address notification provided only with return.

Mailer Endorsement and USPS Action Priority Mail and First-Class Mail Standard Mail  Package Services Months 1 through 12: mailpiece forwarded. Forwarded at no charge. Forwarded at no charge. Forwarded locally at no charge; forwarded out of town as postage due. Months 13 through 18: mailpiece returned with new address attached. Returned at no charge. Weighted fee charged.2 Return postage charged at appropriate single-piece rate. After 18 months or if undeliverable at any time: mailpiece returned with reason for nondelivery attached. Returned at no charge. Weighted fee charged.2 Returned if undeliverable or if addressee refused to pay postage due. Forwarding (where attempted) and return postage charged at appropriate single-piece rate.

Temp—Return Service Requested

Mailer Endorsement and USPS Action Priority Mail and First-Class Mail Standard Mail  Package Services Piece returned with new address or reason for nondelivery attached. If temporary change of address, piece forwarded; no separate notice of temporary change of address provided. No charge. N/A N/A

No Endorsement

Mailer Endorsement and USPS Action Priority Mail and First-Class Mail Standard Mail  Package Services UAA handled by class of mail. Same as USPS action for "Forwarding Service Requested." Mailpiece disposed of by USPS. Same as USPS action for "Forwarding Service Requested," except Bound Printed Matter disposed of by USPS. Parcel Post, Media Mail and Library Mail with no endorsement obligates the mailer to pay any applicable forwarding and return postage charges at the single-piece rate (507.1.5.4).

1. For Address Change Service with First-Class Mail and Priority Mail, see 507.1.5.1 for additional options.

2. Weighted fee (243.1.6.2) is the appropriate single-piece First-Class or Priority Mail rate for the piece plus the nonmachinable surcharge if it applies (101.1.2), multiplied by 2.472 and rounded up to the next whole cent. For weighted fee rate table, see 243.1.6.2.

3. For First-Class Mail and Priority Mail, Change Service Requested is only available with electronic Address Change Service (ACS). Only available for Priority Mail pieces containing perishable matter that bear the endorsement "Perishable." Delivery Confirmation and Signature Confirmation are the only two special services permitted with this endorsement.

Back to Top