Join the pilot

Why “return to sender” won’t stop your catalogs (and what does)

Writing “return to sender” or “refused” on a catalog feels like it should work. Usually the company never hears about it. What stops catalogs is asking the company directly.

The quick answer

  1. Skip the pen. Most catalogs are sent as USPS Marketing Mail, and unless the mailer paid for a return service, a refused catalog is simply thrown away by the post office.
  2. Ask each company to stop, by web form, email or letter. Our store-by-store guides link straight to each company’s own page.
  3. Add the two broad opt-outs: OptOutPrescreen.com for credit and insurance offers, and DMAchoice for catalogs and offers from member companies.
  4. Keep a screenshot of each request. If a catalog still arrives about 12 weeks later, ask again.

What happens to a refused catalog

It depends on a small line printed near the address label, called an endorsement.

  • No endorsement: the post office disposes of the catalog. Nobody tells the company.
  • “Change Service Requested”: the catalog is still thrown away, and the company gets an electronic notice saying why it wasn’t delivered.
  • “Return Service Requested”: the catalog goes back to the company with the reason attached.

Even in the last two cases, the company gets a delivery report, not a request to stop, and no law makes it take you off the list. Once a catalog has been opened, sending it back costs postage.

What works instead

  • Use the company’s own route. Most retailers list one in their privacy policy or catalog-preference page: a web form, an email address or a mailing address. See how to stop holiday catalogs for Lands’ End, J.Crew, Crate & Barrel, Kohl’s, Harry & David and more.
  • Ask in your own name. Some companies, including L.L.Bean, say they don’t accept requests from third-party opt-out services.
  • Copy the label exactly. Give the name and address as printed, plus the customer or catalog number if there is one.
  • Plan for the next wave. Catalogs are addressed weeks before they arrive, so a request made now trims the January and spring mailings more than this week’s.

Catalogs for someone who moved out?

Different problem, different fix. For bills and personal letters addressed to a former resident, write “Not at this address” and give them back to your carrier. For their catalogs and offers, ask each company, as the current resident, to remove that name from your address. Here’s the step-by-step.

Good to know
  • Like a catalog? Keep it. Stop the ones you never open.
  • Stopping marketing mail doesn’t stop bills, statements or account notices.
  • Mail addressed to “Postal Customer” (Every Door Direct Mail) has no opt-out. Some “Current Resident” mailers do, such as Valpak.
Sources
  • USPS, Domestic Mail Manual 507: how undeliverable and refused USPS Marketing Mail is handled under each endorsement.
  • FTC, How to stop junk mail.
  • Company routes: each company’s own site, linked from its guide. Last checked October 31, 2026.

Or let us help

Mailbox Zero spots catalogs in your free USPS Informed Delivery preview and asks you once. Say yes and we help file the request, then check that the mail actually stopped.

Free to start · Pilot opens this winter · No card today

← Back

You’re on the list

Thanks. We’ll email you when your pilot invite is ready. No card needed.
Which would you try first?(required)

Mailbox Zero is independent and not affiliated with any company named here or the U.S. Postal Service.