Letter returns
Processing letter returns efficiently

Rich Content Section

Important information

A return is a consignment sent back to the sender who, in some cases, is also responsible for paying for it. 

Swiss Post physically sends letter and newspaper returns back to the sender as standard.

The return times for undeliverable items are up to seven working days for A Mail, B Mail and newspapers. Swiss Post generally returns registered mail without return note, debt collection and court documents to the sender within two working days.

What are returns?

Delivery refused

A consignment which was successfully delivered by Swiss Post but which was immediately or subsequently refused by the recipient. The consignment becomes a taxable return.

Basic prices per pc.

Dependent on format and weight

Registered
5.30
Other shipment types
0.53

Uncollected item

A consignment for which the recipient received a notification about collection but which was not collected during the retention period. The consignment becomes a taxable return.

Basic prices per pc.

Dependent on format and weight

Registered
5.30
Other shipment types
0.53

Undeliverable item

  • Moved, forwarding period expired
  • Deceased
  • company no longer in business
  • Recipient not found at address provided
All shipment types
Free of charge

Prices in CHF incl. VAT

Managing returns
Letter ID

Letter ID and Letter ID light allow you to determine how your returns are processed. We offer the following options:

Return delivery
Physical return delivery

  • Return delivery to the sender
  • Delivery to an alternative return delivery address defined by you

Free of charge

Digital processing
Digital preparation (provision)

  • Item picture
  • Reason for return
  • Data matrix code content
  • Indication of date

+ 0.09 / item

Disposal
What you no longer require

  • Simple disposal (free)
  • Qualified, legally-compliant disposal of your returns

+ 0.02 / item

Prices in CHF incl. VAT

For further details regarding the characteristics required for your consignments and the completion of your data matrix code for the provision of returns services, please see the “Barcodes and data matrix codes” manual.

More about Letter ID

Processing returns digitally

Would you like to receive your returns/the relevant data in the same digital form? Send your letter mail using Letter ID with integrated data matrix code. 

Swiss Post provides the relevant data from the data matrix code to business customers with a billing relationship – including the reason why an item was returned. We transfer the returns data to the “Track consignments” online service, including an image of the consignment. Here you will find all the information available to download as a CSV, XLS or PDF file.

In certain cases, the data can also be easily linked to your company’s own IT solution via our electronic “DataTransfer” interface. The data is prepared for you once daily in the form of a report and provided for secure collection via an SFTP connection.

For further details regarding the characteristics required for your consignments and the completion of your data matrix code for the provision of returns services, please see the “Barcodes and data matrix codes” manual.

More about Letter ID

Preventing returns
Correct addresses – fewer returns

Have print templates checked
Swiss Post’s final proof

Always allow Swiss Post to homologate newly created layouts and data matrix codes.

Find out more

Check addresses before shipping
Address maintenance via DataTransfer

Address maintenance via DataTransfer gives you the option of verifying recipient addresses for deliverability immediately before mailing.

Find out more

Maintaining addresses
All you need to know about address management

With customer addresses that are always up to date, you can be sure that your consignments will reach the correct recipient. How to prevent unnecessary returns and additional expenditure

Find out more
Address maintenance online

Discounts
Price benefits on addressed letters

As a business customer, correctly prepared letter volumes will see you benefit from price reductions and discounts. This is your reward for supporting efficient processing.

Find out more

We would be pleased to provide you with personalized advice
Do you have any questions about returns management? We will be happy to inform you of your options in a personal meeting.

Give us a call

CHF 0.08/min. from landline phones within Switzerland

Monday till Friday: 7.30am - 6pm
Saturday: 8am to 12 noon

+41 848 888 888

+41 848 888 888

Write to us

Send your query directly online to our specialists.

Our address

Post CH Ltd
Swiss Post Contact Center
Wankdorfallee 4
3030 Bern

Step by step