Under what condition can standard mail be forwarded or returned?

Standard mail can be forwarded or returned only if the mail is endorsed. This endorsement is a crucial step that indicates the sender's intent regarding how to handle the mail if it cannot be delivered to the intended recipient. Endorsements can take various forms, such as a specific forwarding request included on the mail piece, which instructs the Postal Service to redirect the item rather than return it to the sender.

If standard mail lacks this endorsement, the Postal Service typically cannot forward it, and may instead return it to the sender or simply discard it. This policy helps maintain the efficiency of mail handling and ensures that the proper protocols are followed for different types of mail services.

The other options are not applicable as they do not align with Postal Service policies regarding standard mail handling. For instance, being requested by the sender alone does not suffice if the mail is not properly endorsed. A recipient's subscription status does not influence forwarding eligibility for standard mail. Similarly, being a local address does not automatically confer forwarding rights without the necessary endorsements.