# Use of Foreign Return Addresses on Domestic Mailpieces
**AGENCY:**
Postal Service <sub>TM</sub> .
**ACTION:**
Final rule.
**SUMMARY:**
The Postal Service is amending *Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service,* Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) to clarify the consequences for using a foreign return address on a domestic mailpiece.
**DATES:**
*Effective date:* January 1, 2024.
**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:**
Catherine Knox at (202) 268-5636, Treishawna Harris at (202) 268-2965, or Garry Rodriguez at (202) 268-7281.
**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:**
On November 6, 2023, the Postal Service published a notice of proposed rulemaking (88 FR 76162-76163) to further amend subsections 602.1.5.4 and 609.4.3 to clarify the procedures applicable to undeliverable domestic mailpieces bearing a foreign return address. The Postal Service did not receive any formal comments.
The Postal Service is revising DMM subsections 602.1.5.4, and 609.4.3, to clarify that undeliverable domestic mailpieces with a foreign return address will be handled in accordance with the Postal Service's dead mail procedures.
In a separate rule, the Postal Service will also revise a few related sections of the International Mail Manual (IMM) including subsection 762.2, *Undeliverable Domestic Mail Bearing U.S. Postage and a Foreign Return Address.*
We believe these revisions will provide customers with a more efficient mailing experience. The Postal Service adopts the described changes to *Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service,* Domestic Mail Manual (DMM), incorporated by reference in the *Code of Federal Regulations.*
We will publish an appropriate amendment to 39 CFR part 111 to reflect these changes.
**List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111**
Administrative practice and procedure, Postal Service.
Accordingly, 39 CFR part 111 is amended as follows:
**PART 111—GENERAL INFORMATION ON POSTAL SERVICE**
**39 CFR Part 111**
1. The authority citation for 39 CFR part 111 continues to read as follows:
**Authority:**
5 U.S.C. 552(a); 13 U.S.C. 301-307; 18 U.S.C. 1692-1737; 39 U.S.C. 101, 401-404, 414, 416, 3001-3018, 3201-3220, 3401-3406, 3621, 3622, 3626, 3629, 3631-3633, 3641, 3681-3685, and 5001.
**39 CFR Part 111**
2. Revise the *Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service,* Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) as follows:
**Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)**
**600 Basic Standards for All Mailing Services**
**602 Addressing**
**1.0 Elements of Addressing**
**1.5 Return Addresses**
*[Revise the heading of 1.5.4 to read as follows:]*
**1.5.4 Use of Foreign Return Addresses**
*[Revise the text of 1.5.4 to read as follows:]*
When U.S. postage is applied to a domestic mailpiece, as defined under 608.2.1 and 608.2.2, only a domestic return address is authorized. An undeliverable domestic mailpiece bearing a foreign return address cannot be returned to sender and will be handled as dead mail under 507.1.9.
**609 Filing Indemnity Claims for Loss or Damage**
**4.0 Claims**
**4.3 Nonpayable Claims**
Indemnity is not paid for insured mail (including Priority Mail Express and Priority Mail), Registered Mail, COD, or Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express in these situations:
*[Revise the text of 4.3 by adding a new item “ag” to read as follows:]*
ag. An undeliverable, registered or insured domestic mailpiece bearing a foreign return address.
Sarah Sullivan,
Attorney, Ethics and Legal Compliance.