This report presents the results of our audit of the Postal Automated Redirection System.
The Postal Automated Redirection System (PARS) was deployed in 2007 to handle letter mail that cannot be delivered to the name and address on the mailpiece. Mail sorting equipment can automatically intercept mail with an active Change of Address (COA), and PARS sorting equipment can forward it to the new destination, reducing additional mail handling. If mail that is undeliverable as addressed is not intercepted during the automated process, a carrier at the delivery unit can identify it as either forwardable — with a valid COA — or as return to sender and send it back to the plant for further processing. With the average American moving 11.7 times in their lifetime, the Postal Service must effectively handle PARS mail to ensure timely delivery of essential communications, such as bills, checks, and court documents.
Our objective was to assess the effectiveness of procedures for processing and handling PARS mail. To accomplish our objective, we conducted interviews with U.S. Postal Service Headquarters management, obtained and analyzed PARS related data for fiscal years (FY) 2023 and 2024, and determined avoidable costs incurred due to identified issues.
