Undeliverable mail policy
Mail posted from the Bailiwick
Guernsey Post would recommend that customers put an external return address (ERA) on the back of all postal items to local, UK and foreign destinations. The best place to put your ERA is on the back of your mail (in the middle at the top, no bigger than 70mm x 30mm).
Alternatively, businesses can put it in the slogan block in their franking impression (ask your supplier who will automatically apply Royal Mail’s ‘Return Address Guidelines’ issued to them, which Guernsey Post has adopted to ensure ease of handling). If you wish your company to remain anonymous, you can have a PO Box address as your ERA. Please call Customer Services on 711720 to arrange this.
Any undeliverable mail can then be returned to sender by the delivering administration in the country of destination. Return of undeliverable mail cannot be guaranteed if the sender’s details are not presented on the outside of the item.
Please also ensure that you complete a customs label if you are sending packets or parcels to anywhere outside of the Bailiwick of Guernsey. See ‘Postal Services’ for more information.
Mail received in the Bailiwick
Standard letter mail (including International Signed For and Airsure items)
Where we are unsuccessful in delivering an item of mail, for example where the item is marked “unknown at this address”, we scrutinize the address and attempt a second alternative delivery if appropriate. Otherwise the following procedures are followed depending on the item type, origination and service used. However, where we are the agent for the service used, such as FedEx, that operator’s terms and conditions will apply.
From local to local Items are returned to sender where the sender can be identified. Where this is not possible, the item is retained for three months.
From UK to Guernsey Items are returned to sender where the sender can be identified. Where this is not possible, the item is returned to Royal Mail’s ‘Undeliverable Mail Centre’.
From overseas to Guernsey Items are returned to sender where the sender can be identified. Where this is not possible, the item is returned to the postal authority in the country of origin.
Recorded letter mail
A form is left at the addressee’s property and the item is retained for one week pending instructions for re-delivery or its collection from Envoy House. Otherwise the following procedures are adhered to:
From local to local Items are returned to sender where the sender can be identified. Where this is not possible Guernsey Post retains the item for three months.
From UK to Guernsey Items are returned to sender where the sender can be identified. Where this is not possible the item is returned to Royal Mail ‘Undeliverable Items Centre’.
Special Delivery items
A form is left at the addressee’s property and the item is retained for three weeks pending instructions for re-delivery or its collection from Envoy House. A second delivery attempt is made thereafter. If this is not successful the following procedures are adhered to:
From local to local Items are returned to sender where the sender can be identified. Where this is not possible, the item is retained by Guernsey Post for three months.
From UK to Guernsey Items are returned to sender where the sender can be identified. Where this is not possible, the item is returned to the Royal Mail ‘Undeliverable Items Centre’.
From overseas to Guernsey Items are returned to sender where the sender can be identified. Where this is not possible, the item is returned to the postal authority in the country of origin.
Parcel services
A form is left at the addressee’s property and the item is retained for three weeks pending instructions for re-delivery or its collection from Envoy House. A second delivery attempt is made thereafter. If this is not successful the following procedures are adhered to:
From local to local Items are returned to sender where the sender can be identified. Where this is not possible, the item is retained for three months.
From UK to Guernsey Items are returned to the sender where the sender can be identified. Where this is not possible, the item is returned to the Parcelforce Central Hub.
From overseas to Guernsey Items are returned to the sender where the sender can be identified. Where this is not possible, the item is returned to the postal authority in the country of origin.