---
title: "Undeliverable or refused Media Mail: who pays to return"
description: "Unendorsed Media Mail is forwarded postage due for 12 months after a change of address, or returned with return postage at the Media Mail price."
canonical: https://resellerindex.com/usps/media-mail/undeliverable-and-refused/
last_updated: 2026-10-19
publisher: "The Reseller Index"
---

# What happens to undeliverable or refused Media Mail?

USPS's rules: Return isn't free

**Media Mail with no endorsement gets Forwarding Service Requested treatment: if the buyer filed a change of address, USPS forwards it for 12 months with postage due from the buyer at the Media Mail price, and if not, it returns the package with return postage charged at the Media Mail price.** A buyer can refuse an unopened Media Mail package without adding postage; refusal is one of USPS's reasons for nondelivery, so the package comes back to you with return postage charged at the Media Mail price. Once the buyer opens it, the buyer has to add postage to send it back.

Rates verified on Oct 19, 2026

## The rule, in USPS's words

Quoted from the official pages linked below each quote, checked Oct 19, 2026.

> “Same treatment as "Forwarding Service Requested."”

[Domestic Mail Manual 507 Exhibit 1.5.4](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/507.htm#a_1_5_4) · USPS Domestic Mail Manual 507: forwarding and return of undeliverable mail

> “Piece returned with reason for nondelivery attached; return postage charged at the applicable Package Services single-piece price”

[Domestic Mail Manual 507 Exhibit 1.5.4](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/507.htm#a_1_5_4) · USPS Domestic Mail Manual 507: forwarding and return of undeliverable mail

> “Months 1 through 12: Package Services forwarded postage due at the single-piece price for the class of mail.”

[Domestic Mail Manual 507 Exhibit 1.5.4](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/507.htm#a_1_5_4) · USPS Domestic Mail Manual 507: forwarding and return of undeliverable mail

> “Mail refused by the addressee at time of delivery.”

[Domestic Mail Manual 507.1.1](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/507.htm#a_1_1) · USPS Domestic Mail Manual 507: forwarding and return of undeliverable mail

> “the addressee may refuse delivery of the piece and have it returned to the sender without affixing postage.”

[Domestic Mail Manual 507.1.5.4](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/507.htm#a_1_5_4) · USPS Domestic Mail Manual 507: forwarding and return of undeliverable mail

> “If a Package Services or Parcel Select piece or any attachment to that piece is opened by the addressee, the addressee must affix the applicable postage to return the piece to the sender.”

[Domestic Mail Manual 507.1.5.4](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/507.htm#a_1_5_4) · USPS Domestic Mail Manual 507: forwarding and return of undeliverable mail

> “The addressee may refuse any piece of Package Services or Parcel Select that has been forwarded.”

[Domestic Mail Manual 507.2.3.6](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/507.htm#a_2_3_6) · USPS Domestic Mail Manual 507: forwarding and return of undeliverable mail

> “mail that is accepted and opened cannot then be refused and given back to the Postal Service for return to sender unless new postage is affixed by the addressee.”

[USPS Customer Support Ruling PS-177](https://pe.usps.com/text/csr/PS-177.htm) · USPS Customer Support Ruling PS-177: Mailpieces Opened After Delivery (updated February 2012)

## What it costs to ship

Media Mail costs the same to every US address, with a 1 lb minimum ($4.39) and any fraction of a pound rounded up. Ground Advantage, USPS's ground package service with tracking included, is priced by weight and zone: online is USPS's commercial price for labels bought online, and the counter price is retail.

*USD, weight not over. USPS Notice 123 effective Oct 4, 2026; Ground Advantage includes USPS's temporary holiday prices, in effect until 12 a.m. CT Jan 17, 2027 (Media Mail isn't affected). Selling platforms and label services can have their own rates.*

| Package | Media Mail | Ground Advantage online, Zones 1-9 | Ground Advantage at the counter, Zones 1-9 |
| --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| 1 lb | $4.39 | $8.01 to $11.22 | $10.05 to $13.65 |
| 2 lb | $5.13 | $8.39 to $13.42 | $11.30 to $19.80 |
| 5 lb | $7.34 | $10.35 to $20.24 | $13.75 to $27.45 |

### Worked examples

- A 2 lb book returned as undeliverable: return postage at the 2 lb Media Mail price, $5.13, on top of the $5.13 it cost to send.
- A buyer who moved and filed a change of address within 12 months: forwarded, with $5.13 postage due on a 2 lb package.
- A 5 lb box returned: $7.34 in return postage.

Every weight from 1 to 70 lb: [Media Mail rates](https://resellerindex.com/rates/media-mail/) · [Ground Advantage rates](https://resellerindex.com/rates/ground-advantage/)

## Edge cases

- "Return Service Requested" returns the piece in every case, with the new address or reason attached, charging only return postage at the single-piece price ([DMM 507](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/507.htm#a_1_5_4)).
- "Return Service Requested" doesn't cover a package the buyer opened: USPS says the endorsement's pledge to pay return postage becomes void once the buyer accepts and opens the piece ([PS-177](https://pe.usps.com/text/csr/PS-177.htm)).
- Media Mail with invalid or conflicting endorsements is treated as if endorsed Forwarding Service Requested ([DMM 507.4.1.3](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/507.htm#a_4_1_3)).
- In months 13 to 18 after a change of address, the piece comes back to you with the new address attached instead of being forwarded. In months 1 to 12, a buyer who won't pay the forwarding postage due can refuse it, and it comes back with return postage at the Media Mail price ([DMM 507](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/507.htm#a_1_5_4)).
- Every Media Mail piece must carry the sender's return address ([DMM 173.2.3](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/173.htm#a_2_3)). A PC Postage piece with no legible return address goes back to the label buyer on payment of the return postage ([DMM 507.1.5.4](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/507.htm#a_1_5_4)).
- Shipper Paid Forwarding lets the mailer pay forwarding or return postage instead of the buyer paying postage due ([DMM 507.2.3.6](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/507.htm#a_2_3_6)).
- On insured mail, the mailer guarantees to pay return and forwarding postage unless the wrapper says not to forward or return it ([DMM 503.4.3.1](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/503.htm#a_4_3_1)).

## What to do

- Check the address before you ship: a return costs the Media Mail price again.
- Count a return trip in your shipping math on heavy boxes.

## Related questions

- [What happens if USPS inspects a Media Mail package and it doesn't qualify?](https://resellerindex.com/usps/media-mail/inspection-and-postage-due/)

  Postage due. USPS may open any Media Mail package. If postage is due, it can charge your label account, return the package, or collect from your buyer.

- [Does Media Mail include tracking and insurance?](https://resellerindex.com/usps/media-mail/insurance-and-tracking/)

  Tracking included, insurance extra: you can buy insurance and add Signature Confirmation, but Adult Signature isn't offered.

- [What are the Media Mail weight and size limits?](https://resellerindex.com/usps/media-mail/weight-and-size-limits/)

  Up to 70 lb and 108 in. in length plus girth; priced per pound with a 1 lb minimum, any fraction rounded up.

- [Do you have to take Media Mail to the Post Office counter?](https://resellerindex.com/usps/media-mail/post-office-counter/)

  With stamps over 10 oz, yes. Pieces paid only with stamps that weigh over 10 oz or are over 1/2 in. thick must go over the counter. The DMM also allows meter and PC Postage labels.

[All 25 Media Mail questions](https://resellerindex.com/usps/media-mail/) · [Cheapest way to ship books](https://resellerindex.com/guides/cheapest-way-to-ship-books/)

## Sources

Rates verified on Oct 19, 2026 from each official page below.

- [USPS Domestic Mail Manual 507: forwarding and return of undeliverable mail](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/507.htm)
- [USPS Customer Support Ruling PS-177: Mailpieces Opened After Delivery (updated February 2012)](https://pe.usps.com/text/csr/PS-177.htm)
- [USPS Domestic Mail Manual 173: Media Mail and Library Mail prices and eligibility](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/173.htm)
- [USPS Domestic Mail Manual 503: extra services (insurance, tracking, signature)](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/503.htm)
- [USPS Notice 123: price list (effective Oct 4, 2026), Media Mail and Ground Advantage prices](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/Notice123.htm)
- [USPS: temporary price change for 2026 holiday shipping (Aug 25, 2026)](https://about.usps.com/newsroom/national-releases/2026/0825-usps-announces-temporary-price-change-for-2026-holiday-shipping-season.htm)

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