Digital return policy PostNL launched
Back in 2024, PostNL announced that it would change its return policy in 2025. Starting Wednesday, March 26, PostNL will switch from physically returning return mail to sharing return information digitally. This is a smart and sustainable alternative for processing returns.
As you experience yourself, you have to deal with return mail with every mailing: from incorrect or incomplete addresses to customers who have moved. Updating your address file with paper returns often costs a lot of time and money. Fortunately, with digital returns, this is faster!
What are the benefits of digital returns?
Better for the environment
By no longer physically returning your return mail, you save miles and reduce CO2 emissions. This makes mail processing significantly more environmentally friendly.
More convenience
No more hassle of manually going through returns. Everything is taken care of: from collecting and delivering relevant data to destroying your physical mail.
Quickly update your address file
A digital overview lets you quickly update your address file. This way you will only send mail to the correct addresses in the future and avoid unnecessary returns.
How does the new process work?
- Preparing your direct mail
We add a 2D matrix code and encoding line to the addressee’s address and register your direct mail with PostNL. Here we indicate whether the returns should be delivered digitally. Read more about the 2d matrix code here - Return summary received
When mail returns, you will receive a handy summary of return information - Address file update
With the overview you can easily and quickly update your address file. This will ensure that less mail is returned the next time you mail.
Options and costs for digital returns
For the new form of handling returns, there may be additional costs* on top of your postage. This depends on your choice: are you going for fully digital or a combination? Below are the options and rates for the digital options:
Please note: The above rates are PostNL’s standard rates. These do not include any handling fees when we as PSI-Vransen provide support in processing returns.
Still receive physical returns?
You can. You can choose to receive your return mail only physically (currently free) or combine it with a digital overview. This does incur additional costs (currently €0.10 each), but you will also receive the return reason and handwritten texts in the digital overview.
How do you reduce the likelihood of returns?
Want to reduce the number of returns? Let us check your addresses for accuracy and mailability before sending. This reduces the chance of undeliverable mail and ensures that you only send mail to customers who are actually waiting for it. This saves you unnecessary costs.
All in all, with digital returns you benefit from a more efficient and sustainable way of processing mail. It not only saves you time and costs, but also contributes to a better customer experience. Want to know more about the possibilities and rates? Contact one of our colleagues on 020 495 38 38.