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 reason 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 3575or 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)(1) 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 returned 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 sec

ond-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. CEPTION: 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.

Ex

(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, asylums, 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 accom

plished 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.

§ 158.4 Retention periods.

(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 hatching are returned immediately, provided return to sender can be made prior to spoilage or within the 60 hour period. (See § 152.2 (h) of this chapter.)

(3) Mail addressed and deliverable to a post office box, except registered, certified, insured, COD, and perishable, will not be returned until box is declared vacant.

(b) Registered, insured, COD, and certified mail. (1) Undelivered registered, insured, COD, and certified mail is retained for not less than 3 days, nor more than the periods specified in subparagraphs (2) through (4) of this paragraph.

(2) Registered mail is held up to 60 days if the sender so requests by endorsement on the mail. If the sender names no specific period, the mail will be held 10 days before return. Exception: If the postmaster believes he will be able to make delivery if the mail is held longer than 10 days, it may be held up to 60 days if written permission is obtained from the sender. (See also § 158.2(g).)

(3) Insured and certified mail is held a maximum of 15 days. It is held a lesser number of days if the sender so specifies. (See also § 158.2 (g).)

(4) COD mail is held a maximum of 30 days. It is held a lesser number of

days if the sender so specifies. See § 163.4(c) of this chapter regarding notice on Form 3849-D.

(c) Special delivery and special handling mail. Special delivery and special handling articles are held for the period specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this section, except that requests for immediate return of special delivery mail will be honored.

[30 F.R. 13320, Oct. 20, 1965, as amended at 31 FR. 11103, Aug. 20, 1966. Redesignated at 31 F.R. 15350, Dec. 8, 1966]

§ 158.5 Disposal of undeliverable mail. Mail undeliverable at the last office of address is disposed of as follows:

(a) Postal and post cards or samples of merchandise are destroyed or sold immediately.

use.

(b) Printed matter, including such matter as circulars, greeting cards, newspapers, magazines, and other periodical publications, obviously without value is disposed of as waste paper without examination of contents. This mail will not be torn or mutilated, before being consigned to the general waste, except when necessary to prevent improper use. Such matter as redemption coupons and uncanceled postage stamps must be burned or mutilated to prevent improper Magazines shall not be separated from the general waste unless their separate bulk sale by contract as waste would result in a material advantage to the Postal Service by reason of the high quality of the paper. Under no circumstances may magazines or other periodical publications be sold at a per copy rate or at auction by the post office. Contracts negotiated for the disposal of waste should contain a provision which prohibits the resale by the contractor of copies of magazines or other periodical publications to the public for reading purposes.

(c) Domestic ordinary, insured, or COD articles bearing sender's instructions to abandon are disposed of immediately after expiration of the periods stated in § 158.4.

(d) Third-class mail of no obvious value and without sender's request for return is disposed of as waste.

(e) Insured and COD articles bearing sender's instructions to destroy will be destroyed.

(f) Packages containing medicine, perishable articles, liquids, or other articles likely to injure employees, or damage equipment or other mail, or to at

tract pests, must be destroyed as soon as they are known to be undeliverable.

(g) Letters from Canada or Mexico with return addresses are returned to the postmaster at the post office of origin.

(h) Mail addressed to a deceased person is delivered to the executor or administrator of the estate or, if there is no executor or administrator, to the widow or widower or other claimants, except that U.S. Government pension mail is returned to the mailing Federal agency.

(i) Unclaimed franked mail from a Member of Congress, including that addressed under provisions of § 123.4(d) (2) of this chapter, and unclaimed official mail, including official reports and bulletins sent by State agricultural colleges and experiment stations, is returned to the postmaster at the office of origin if it is known. If office of origin is not known, the mail is sent to the post office at Washington, D.C. Undeliverable mail bearing return address of the White House, the Senate, or the House of Representatives, with or without postage stamps, is returned to the post office at Washington, D.C.

(j) Santa Claus letters, with postage fully prepaid (or local unpaid or partly paid), with no identification of person for whom they are intended, are sent to institutions or persons who may request them to use for exclusively philanthropic purposes. If there is no voluntary request, they are sent to the dead mail office.

(k) An undeliverable letter bearing the return address of a hotel, motel, school, college, or other public institution printed on the envelope as an advertisement is sent to a dead letter branch for disposition unless the return address also includes the name or title of an individual or a printed or written request for return.

(1) Other mail, including first-class and airmail, bearing no return address is sent to a dead letter or dead parcel post branch for final alsposition. § 158.7 (b) (1).

See

(m) Coins should be stripped from undeliverable circulars and their value should be accounted for as Miscellaneous Nonpostal Receipts, A/C 40990.

§ 158.6 Directory service.

Directory service is not generally available, but at carrier offices where a directory is available, directory service is given to registered, certified, insured,

COD, special delivery, and special handling mail; to perishable matter and parcels of obvious value; and to international nail, except circulars. Incorrectly or incompletely addressed mail from overseas Armed Forces is given directory service and is not returned to the sender until every effort is made to deliver it. See § 114.5 of this chapter for directory service in connection with natural disasters.

§ 158.7 Dead mail.

(a) Definition. Dead mail is matter deposited in the mail which is or becomes undeliverable, or is unmailable, and which cannot be returned to the sender.

(b) Treatment-(1) At last office of address. At the end of retention periods specified in § 158.4 mail is declared dead. Dead mail described in § 158.5 (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), and (f) is disposed of locally. First-class letters, first-class parcels, and other articles that have obvious value are forwarded on fixed schedules to dead letter or dead parcel post branches for final disposition.

(2) At dead mail office. (1) Mail is examined and opened when necessary to find the name and address of the sender or addressee.

(ii) A fee of 10 cents is charged for delivery to sender or addressee of each letter and first-class parcel opened in the dead mail office.

(ii) If the sender or addressee cannot be identified, the following retention periods are observed:

(a) Letters of domestic origin with enclosures of value, 1 year.

(b) Other letters, none.

(c) Letters containing merchandise, and third- and fourth-class mail containing valuables (including first-class mail not in the form of a letter, addressed to another country), 60 days: if posted in violation of law or treaty, 6 months.

(iv) Dead mail that cannot be delivered to addressee or sender is destroyed or sold. § 158.8

Obvious value mail.

Mail of obvious value includes, but is not limited to, all registered, insured, and COD mail, merchandise, sheet music, pictures, photographs, catalogs as defined by §§ 134.1(b) (1) and 135.2(a) (3), of this chapter and books as defined by § 135.2(a) (4) (i) of this chapter. Circulars and miscellaneous printed matter and items unsolicited by the ad