Mis-delivered mail or parcel — what do I do?
On receiving mail or parcel not yours: (1) DON'T open — opening someone else's mail violates privacy law (art. 139 Penal Code). (2) Check addressee + address. (3) Write “Return to sender” on envelope/parcel, cross out wrong address. Previous resident: “Departed — return to sender”. (4) Drop in orange PostNL mailbox or bring to PostNL point. PostNL handles correct processing, free. (5) Parcels: same principle — return sender or hand in at PostNL point. (6) No obligation to forward or find new resident. But friendly gesture. (7) Commercial parcels (Bol.com, Amazon): also via PostNL, they handle with webshop. PostNL legally responsible for correct delivery.
Step by step
- 1Check addresseeName + address exactly. Previous resident? Unknown? Not your home? Keep sealed.
- 2Write “Return to sender”Big line through wrong address + text. Previous resident: “Departed — return to sender”.
- 3Drop in orange mailboxPostNL collects. Bigger parcels: PostNL point nearby (supermarket or pickup). Free.
- 4DON'T open or keepOpening someone else's mail = art. 139 SR. Keeping = improper. Immediate return safest.
- 5Government mail previous residentTax, city, UWV: “Departed” letter to sender helps update BRP-system address.
All contacts
Frequently asked questions
Can I open the parcel?
NO. Opening someone else's mail violates privacy law (art. 139 Criminal Code). Fine + civil liability possible.
What if mail for previous resident?
Write “Departed - return to sender” and drop in orange mailbox. Not your duty to forward or find new resident.
Should I find the new resident?
No, no obligation. Returning is enough. PostNL and sender resolve via address-update systems.
Sources
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