Are unwanted mail and direct mail pieces causing you trouble? If you use the refusal-of-delivery system, you can return them more easily than you might expect. In this article, we explain the correct way to refuse mail and the important points you should know in advance.
What Is Refusal of Mail Delivery? A System Anyone Can Use
Refusal of delivery is a system that allows you to decline items delivered in your name and have them returned to the sender. The procedure is also published on the 日本郵便 website, and no complicated steps are required. However, there are several conditions and cautions to keep in mind.
How Do You Refuse Delivery? The Item Must Be Unopened
For regular mail, you can refuse delivery even after it has been delivered, as long as it remains unopened. For registered mail, you must notify the carrier before stamping or signing. As a general rule, refusal is not accepted after you have received the item.
Specific Steps
- Prepare the mail item without opening it
- On a sticky note or memo, write “Refusal of Receipt” and add the recipient’s seal or signature (red ink is easier to notice)
- Attach it to the mail item, then hand it to the delivery person or place it in a mailbox
That is all it takes for the item to be returned to the sender. There is no return fee at all.
Important Points About Refusing Delivery: 5 Key Notes
1. Opened Mail Cannot Be Refused
Once the item has been opened, the postage is considered used, so you will need to place it in a new envelope, attach new postage, and send it back.
2. It Cannot Be Used for Deliveries Outside 日本郵便
Courier-delivered mail services and items marked “This is not mail” are outside the jurisdiction of 日本郵便. In that case, contact the delivery company directly.
3. Cash-on-Delivery Mail Is Not Refunded After Acceptance
If you receive a cash-on-delivery package you do not recognize, check it before accepting it, and if anything is unclear, it can be held for one week. To avoid becoming a victim of unsolicited goods schemes, do not pay before confirming the details.
4. The Other Party Will Know You Refused It
Because the memo stating refusal of receipt is returned to the sender as is, your intention to refuse the item will be conveyed to the other party. It can also serve as a clear signal against nuisance DM.
5. Special Service Cannot Be Refused
Special service items sent from courts and similar institutions are legally protected, so refusal is generally not allowed. If you refuse without a valid reason, “drop-off service” will apply (delivery is completed by leaving the mail item there). Ignoring court-related documents may put you at a disadvantage, so be sure to accept them.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. Can you refuse a registered letter after receiving it once, if it is still unopened?
Registered mail is considered received once you have stamped or signed for it. Refusal is not accepted after that point. Be sure to state “Refusal of Receipt” at the time of delivery.
Q2. If I refuse delivery, will the sender incur any cost?
The cost of returning the item to the sender is borne by the sender. The recipient does not need to pay anything.
Q3. Is there a way to permanently refuse mail from a specific sender?
Under the 日本郵便 system, there is no permanent stop-delivery service for a specific sender. For DM, you can ask the sender directly to stop sending it, or send a notice based on the Act on Specified Commercial Transactions.
Q4. What should I do if I accidentally open mail addressed to someone else?
If you opened it without realizing it was misdelivered, contact the post office and explain that you “opened it without realizing it had been misdelivered,” and a staff member will come collect it. Intentionally opening someone else’s mail may be a crime, so caution is required.
