warded by air on prepayment of the difference between the surface and air rates. Airmail weighing over 8 ounces is forwarded by air at the applicable air zone rate to be collected on delivery except when the article bears the sender's specific instructions to forward it by surface mail. When forwarded by surface mail, forwarding postage at the applicable rate according to class of mail is collected on delivery. (See § 136.1 of this chapter.)

(7) Registered, certified, insured, COD and special handling mail. Registered, certified, insured, COD, and special handling mail is forwarded without the payment of additional fees, but the ordinary forwarding postage charges, if any, must be paid. Such mail will not be forwarded to a foreign country. See § 157.1(b) (2) concerning registered mail forwarded to the Canal Zone, and § 166.4 (g) of this chapter for forwarding special delivery mail.

[26 F.R. 11583, Dec. 6, 1961, as amended at 26 F.R. 11865, Dec. 12, 1961; 28 F.R. 7833, Aug. 1, 1963; 31 F.R. 11102, Aug. 20, 1966. Redesignated at 31 F.R. 15350, Dec. 8, 1966] § 157.4 Address changes of persons in U.S. service.

All first-, second-, and fourth-class mail and third-class mail of obvious value addressed to persons in the United States service (civil and military) serving at any place where the U.S. mail service operates, whose change of address is caused by official orders, will be forwarded until it reaches the addressee and no additional postage will be charged. Second-, obvious value third-, and fourth-class mail and air parcel post so forwarded is endorsed by the forwarding office "Change of Address Due to Official Orders." This provision for free forwarding from one post office to another applies to mail for the members of the household whose change of address is caused by official orders to persons in the U.S. service. (See § 123.8 (a) and (b) of this chapter concerning residing with military personnel.)

EXCEPTION: Second-class mail will not be forwarded from the United States to overseas APO addresses by military authorities. Copies of publications addressed to Army or Air Force personnel transferred to overseas assignments will be endorsed by military personnel "Forwarding prohibited, addressee assigned overseas" and returned to the post office for disposition. See § 158.2 (b) of this chapter. See § 157.2 of this chapter regard

ing time limit of orders filed with the post office.

[31 F.R. 11145, Aug. 23, 1966. Redesignated at 31 F.R. 15350, Dec. 8, 1966]

§ 157.5 Change in post office service.

(a) Addressed to a discontinued post office. All first-, second-, and fourthclass mail and third-class mail of obvious value addressed to a discontinued post office may be forwarded to any other post office designated by the addressee without additional charge when the office to which such mail is ordered sent by the Department is not convenient for the addressee.

(b) Forwarded due to change in rural delivery service. Patrons of any office who, on account of the establishment of or a change in rural delivery service, receive their first-, second-, and fourthclass mail and third-class mail of obvious value from the rural carrier of another office may have their mail sent to the latter office and delivered by rural carrier without a new prepayment of postage, provided they first file with the postmaster at the former office a written request to that effect.

(c) Time limit. Time limit for forwarding is same as for order to change address. See § 157.2.

Mail ad

(d) Addressed to boxholder. dressed to post office, rural route, or star route boxholder (as prescribed in § 123.4 of this chapter) will be delivered to those patrons residing in the affected area until June 30 following establishment or conversion to city delivery service or for a period of 90 days, whichever is longer.

[26 F.R. 11865, Dec. 12, 1961, as amended at 28 F.R. 1474, Feb. 15, 1963; 28 F.R. 7833, Aug. 1, 1963. Redesignated at 31 F.R. 15350, Dec. 8, 1966]

§ 157.6 Reforwarding.

The address (but not the name) may be changed and the mail reforwarded as many times as necessary to reach the addressee. Each time second-class mail, third-class mail of obvious value, of fourth-class mail, and airmail weighing over 8 ounces, is reforwarded, it is charged additional postage at the appropriate rate.

[26 F.R. 11866, Dec. 12, 1961. Redesignated at 31 F.R. 15350, Dec. 8, 1966]

Re

Mail that cannot be delivered because of incomplete or incorrect address, or the removal of the addressee, or is unclaimed or refused by the addressee, will be treated in accordance with this part at the office where the mail is found to be undeliverable. This includes nixie mail which is mail not transmissible because of illegible or insufficient address. fused mail is that which is refused at time delivery is attempted; and that returned to the mail unopened by addressee and marked refused. Mail properly delivered and opened by the addressee will not be reaccepted without payment of new postage. Undelivered mail returned to the sender should not again be mailed unless enclosed in a new envelope or wrapper with a correct address and new postage. § 158.2

Treatment by classes.

(a) First-class mail. First-class mail, except postal and post cards, is returned to the sender, if known, without additional charge. Only postal and post cards that bear the sender's request for return, are returned, and postage at the card rate is collected on delivery to the sender. Mail paid at the drop-letter rate is returned to the sender at the same post office without additional charge. If the sender is at another post office, additional postage for the difference between the amount prepaid and the total postage computed at the first-class rate is collected on delivery. Any postage due because of failure to fully prepay postage at the time of mailing will be collected from the sender when the undeliverable mail is returned.

(b) Second-class mail-(1) Change in local address—(i) Delivery for 3 months. When there has been any kind of a change in the local address, the copies of second-class publications bearing the old local address shall be delivered to the

new local address without charge for a period of 3 months even though the copies bear the request of the sender for return. The words "local address" as used in this paragraph mean any address served by the city, rural, or star carriers of any specific post office or a post office box or general delivery address at the post office. Form 3578, Change of Address Notice to Publishers, shall be furnished to the addressee at the new local address, and he shall be requested to use it promptly for furnishing the new local address to the sender. Form 3578 shall not be inserted in the copies but shall be delivered to the addressee separately from the copies.

(ii) Procedure after 3 months. When copies bearing the old local address are received after the period of 3 months has expired, the carrier or clerk serving the old address shall write the new local address, including ZIP Code number, on Form 3579, Undeliverable Second Class Matter, which shall then be affixed to the copies, envelopes, or wrappers, near but not over the old address. The copies shall then be delivered to the inquiry section or to the clerk designated by the postmaster to receive them. The portion of the page, envelope, or wrapper which bears both the old address, including ZIP Code number, if any, and Form 3579 shall then be cut or torn from the copies, envelopes, or wrappers, placed in an envelope, and mailed directly to the publisher, news agent, or other sender. The address on the envelope shall always include the name of the publication. Any number of notices may be returned in one envelope. Each envelope shall be rated with postage due at the rate of 10 cents for each notice contained in the envelope. Copies bearing the old address which are received after the mailing of the notice shall be disposed of as waste. When the copies bear the request of the sender for return, the portion of the page, envelope, or wrapper, shall not be detached, and after expiration of the 3 months' period each complete copy shall be returned to the sender marked to show a charge computed at the transient rate (see § 132.1 (c) of this chapter) on each individually addressed copy or package of unaddressed copies, or 10 cents, whichever is higher.

(2) Undeliverable for any reason other than change in local address. When copies of second-class publications are undeliverable as addressed for any rea

son other than a change in the local address (see subparagraph (1) (i) of this paragraph), the carrier or clerk serving the old address shall prepare Form 3579 and affix it to the first undeliverable copy, or its envelope or wrapper, near but not over the old address, and then deliver the copy to the inquiry section or to the designated clerk. If a new address has been entered on the form, the ZIP Code number for that address must be shown. If the copies do not bear the request of sender for return, the notice shall be mailed to the sender in the manner prescribed by subparagraph (1) (ii) of this paragraph. Copies bearing the old address which are received after the mailing of the notice shall be disposed of as waste. When the copies bear the request of the sender for return, each complete copy, beginning with the first one undeliverable as addressed, shall be returned to the sender marked to show the charge as provided by subparagraph (1) (ii) of this paragraph.

(3) Pledge of addressee to pay forwarding postage. When a change of address is other than a change of local address (see subparagraph (1)(i) of this paragraph), and the addressee has filed a written guarantee either on Form 3575 or otherwise to pay forwarding postage, the copies of second-class publications bearing the old address shall be forwarded to the new address for a period of 3 months rated with postage due at the transient rate (see § 132.1(c) of this chapter), computed on each individually addressed copy or package of unaddressed copies. Form 3578 shall be furnished to the addressee at the new address in the manner prescribed by subparagraph (1)(i) of this paragraph. If the addressee refuses to pay the postage due, the postmaster at the old address shall be requested by the postmaster at the new address to immediately discontinue forwarding the copies. When copies bearing the old address, but not the request of the sender for return, are received after the period of 3 months has expired, a notice shall be prepared and mailed to the sender in the manner prescribed by subparagraph (1)(ii) of this paragraph. Copies bearing the old address which are received after the mailing of the notice shall be disposed of as waste. When the copies bear the request of the sender for return, each complete copy beginning with the first one bearing the old address received after the period of 3 months has expired, shall be re

turned to the sender rated with postage due as provided in subparagraph (1) (ii) of this paragraph.

(4) Manner in which the request of the sender shall be shown. The words "return requested" shall be printed on the envelopes or wrappers or on one of the outside covers of unwrapped copies, and shall be immediately preceded by the sender's name and address, including ZIP Code number.

(5) Failure to follow procedure. When postmasters do not comply with the instructions in this paragraph their noncompliance should be brought directly to their attention by any postmaster who observes the noncompliance. In all cases where a change of address is not made by the sender within 3 months after the notice is sent on Form 3579, the postmaster at the office of mailing shall be requested on Form 3538, Irregular Handling of Undeliverable SecondClass or Controlled Circulation Publication, to instruct the sender to make the change.

(6) Canadian publications. The procedure prescribed by subparagraphs (1) through (3) of this paragraph shall be followed when copies of Canadian second-class publications are undeliverable as addressed.

(7) Special circumstances. See §§ 157.4 and 157.5 of this chapter for instructions as to forwarding publications under the special circumstances described therein.

(c) Controlled circulation publications. Undeliverable copies bearing the sender's request for return will be returned to the sender, and return postage at the single-piece third-class rate or fourth-class rate, or 10 cents (see subparagraph (1)(ii) of paragraph (b) of this section), whichever is higher, will be collected on delivery. Other undeliverable copies mailed by a publisher will be treated as described in subparagraphs (1) through (4) of paragraph (b) of this section.

Undeliverable

(d) Third-class mail. third-class mail having obvious value or bearing the words "return requested" will be returned to the sender, and a charge of 8 cents or postage at the single-piece third-class rate, whichever is higher, will be collected on delivery. Third-class mail returned to sender will be marked with the new address of the addressee, if known, or if there is no new address, the reason for nondelivery. The new address shall include the ZIP Code number.

(e) Fourth-class mail. Undeliverable fourth-class mail having obvious value or bearing the words "return requested" will be returned to the sender, and a charge of 8 cents or postage at the applicable single-piece fourth-class rate, whichever is higher, will be collected on delivery. Fourth-class mail returned to sender will be marked with the new address of the addressee, if known, or if there is no new address, the reason for nondelivery. The new address shall include the ZIP Code number.

(f) Airmail. Airmail weighing 8 ounces or less will be returned by the same transportation as first-class mail at no additional charge. Airmail weighing more than 8 ounces will be returned by surface transportation at the appropriate rate according to class of mail; except that, when the mail bears instructions of the sender to return by airmail, it will be returned at the airmail rate to be collected on delivery to the sender.

(g) Registered, certified, insured, and COD. When mail is undeliverable as addressed and cannot be forwarded, a notice is sent to the mailer on Form 3858, Notice of Undeliverable or Abandoned Mail, showing the reason. By completing the form and returning it immediately in an envelope bearing first-class postage, the mailer may tell the postmaster what to do with the mail.

Mail

will be returned to the mailer if there is no response. The postage charge, if any, for returning the mail (but not registration, insurance, certified or COD fees) will be collected from the mailer. ExCEPTION: When registered, certified, insured, and COD mail is addressed to a person who has moved and left no forwarding address, Form 3858 will not be sent, and the mail will be returned immediately to the mailer. Registered, certified, insured nixie, and COD mail shall be returned immediately to sender.

(h) Disposal of perishable mail, drugs, and cosmetics—(1) Perishable mail. Undeliverable parcels containing perishable items that cannot be forwarded or returned before spoiling, and parcels of day-old poultry that cannot be delivered or returned within 60 hours after hatching, if salable will be disposed of by the postmaster through competitive bidding. Sale by bid will not be made to the addressee. The postmaster will send the proceeds of the sale, less a commission of 10 percent (but not less than 25 cents), to the mailer, by postal money order, with

an explanation of the action taken. The postal money order fee will be deducted.

(2) Drugs. Packages undeliverable to either the addressee or the sender that contain drugs will be destroyed. They will not be sold, donated, or retained as dead parcel post.

(3) Cosmetics. Packages undeliverable to either the addressee or the sender that contain cosmetics, such as soaps, perfumes, powders, home permanent waves, hand lotions, hand creams, aftershave lotions, and deodorant sticks or pastes, which bear no statements claiming medicinal properties, will be treated as dead parcel post. Lipsticks will be destroyed. If there is any question whether the use of a cosmetic might, as the result of deterioration or for other reason, jeopardize life or health, the article will be destroyed.

(i) Disposal to institutions—(1) Food. Usable food items treated as dead mail may be donated to charitable institutions, or public institutions supported in whole or in part by Federal, State, county, or municipal funds. These institutions include but are not limited to hospitals, asylums, and reformatories. The following conditions apply:

(i) "Homemade" items must not be donated but must be destroyed. If any doubt exists as to whether an item is "homemade," the item shall be destroyed.

(ii) If the local municipal welfare department will assume responsibility for distribution of usable food items to eligible institutions, this method is preferred. Otherwise, postmasters shall equitably apportion the items among eligible applicant institutions.

(iii) The recipient must sign a release stating that the Postal Service is relieved of all responsibility connected with the food items or their subsequent use. Releases must be retained in post office files.

(iv) No selection shall be made by the receiving institutions as to the type or quantity of food items to be accepted.

(v) Food items must be called for as soon as possible. Postmasters may deliver these items, but only if unusual circumstances prevail.

(vi) Food items that cannot be disposed of by donation shall be destroyed.

(2) Periodical publications. On request, copies of undeliverable newspapers, magazines, and other periodical publications may be furnished to reformatory institutions, hospitals, asy

lums, and other similar institutions which are organized for charitable purposes or which are supported in whole or part by Federal, State, or municipal funds, under the following conditions:

(i) No additional clerical time shall be used in the post office over that required for disposal of the copies as waste material.

(ii) No selection shall be made by the receiving institutions as to character, quantity, or type of publications to be furnished.

(iii) The receiving institutions shall call for the copies promptly after notification of their availability, or on a scheduled basis.

(iv) The receiving institutions shall be informed that this privilege is entirely at the option of the Postal Service and may be curtailed or discontinued at any time without notice.

(3) Samples of merchandise. Dispose of undeliverable samples of merchandise sent for advertising purposes, which do not bear the words "Return Requested," as follows:

(i) Remove and destroy wrappers if that is practicable and can be accomplished without additional expense, and deliver impartially to charitable or reformatory institutions that promise their free distribution.

(ii) Dispose of, as waste, samples not suitable for distribution indicated in (i) of this subparagraph except that anything of sufficient value to warrant the expense of transportation and handling must be sent to the proper dead parcel post branch without listing or recording.

(iii) Treat packages of foods, drugs, and cosmetics in accordance with paragraph (h) of this section. § 158.3

Return address.

The return address of the sender must be shown on the address side of mail to secure its return. Always include the ZIP Code number. The following rules apply:

(a) The proper location is in the upper left corner on envelopes, cards, labels, tags, or wrappers. On post and postal cards, and on second-class mail and third- and fourth-class mail of no obvious value, the sender must place "return requested" below the return address.

(b) The sender may in his return address request that mail (other than registered, insured, and certified) be held for not less than 3 days or more than 30

days. (See § 158.4 (b) for registered, insured, and certified mail retention periods.) Examples:

Return in 3 days to Frank B. White, 2416
Front Street, St. Louis, Mo., 63135.
Return in 30 days to Frank B. White, 2416
Front Street, St. Louis, Mo., 63135, return
requested.

(c) Requests to lengthen or shorten retention periods specified by sender to not less than 3 nor more than 30 days will be honored only at the sender's and not addressee's request.

(a) Ordinary mail. (1) Mail returnable under § 158.2 (a) through (f) is:

(1) Returned immediately if refused by addressee.

(ii) Returned immediately if undeliverable when specifically addressed to a street, building, rural or star route, or post office box; except that when a patron moves without leaving a change of address, the mail will be held for 10 days awaiting a forwarding order and, if no order is received in that time, the mail will then be handled as undeliverable. However, this shall not preclude compliance with sender's request in accordance with § 158.3(b).

(iii) Returned immediately, if undeliverable, when incompletely, illegibly, or incorrectly addresseed and addressee is unknown. See subdivisions (iv) and (v) of this subparagraph.

(iv) Retained in general delivery not to exceed 30 days, at request of sender, if addressed in manner to indicate addressee is expected to call for mail, or if addressee normally calls there for mail.

(v) Retained as follows when not specifically addressed or when sender does not specify a retention period:

(a) Five days if for delivery by village, rural, or star route carrier.

(b) Ten days if intended for general delivery service at an office having city carrier service, except that the mail may be held up to 30 days if the addressee has given notice to the postmaster that he will be delayed in arrival.

(c) Fifteen days if intended for general delivery service at an office not having city carrier service.

(2) Perishable items not marked to abandon that cannot be delivered before spoiling or day-old poultry that cannot be delivered within 60 hours after hatch