What happens to mail if the recipient's address is incorrect or incomplete?

When a recipient's address is incorrect or incomplete, the standard procedure is for the mail to be returned to the sender. This process ensures that the sender is notified that there was an issue with the delivery. The postal service will attempt to return the mail to the original sender’s address on the package or envelope, giving them a chance to correct the mistake and resend the item if necessary.

Returning the mail helps maintain the integrity of the mail system and reduces the chances of undelivered packages being lost or mishandled. In some cases, if the sender is not identifiable or if the return address is also incorrect, the mail may be handled differently, but returning it to the sender is the primary method used when the recipient's address cannot be delivered as originally intended.