In Dispute (DIS)
The USPS defines this as "Conflicting Orders by Two or More Parties for Delivery of Same Mail", which has processes defined for delivery resolution as:
- 616.1 Delivery to Receiver - Where persons make conflicting orders for delivery of the same mail, and they are unable to agree among themselves which party should receive the
mail, the mail may be delivered to a named receiver or third party
unanimously agreed to by the disputing parties. - 616.2 Receiver in Dispute
- 616.21 Steps for Resolution - The following Postal Service authorities have responsibilities in attempting to resolve disputes:
- a. Postmaster. If the disputing parties are unable to select a receiver, they
must furnish the postmaster all evidence on which they rely to exercise
control over the disputed mail. - b. Chief Field Counsel. If after 5 workdays from receipt of such evidence
the postmaster is still in doubt about who should receive the mail, the
postmaster must submit the case to the chief field counsel for informal
resolution. - c. Judicial Officer Department. If after 5 workdays from receipt of the
case, or such additional time as may be agreed to by all parties, no
informal resolution is achieved and no order is made by the chief field
counsel to return the mail to the sender, the chief field counsel must
forward the case file to the Judicial Officer Department for decision
under the rules of procedure of that department.
- a. Postmaster. If the disputing parties are unable to select a receiver, they
- 616.22 Holding of Disputed Mail - If a dispute is referred to the Judicial Officer Department, the postmaster must hold the disputed mail as follows:
- a. Ordinary Mail. Hold the mail until such time as notice of final disposition
is received from the judicial officer. - b. Accountable Mail. Hold Registered Mail, Certified Mail, Insured Mail,
COD, and Return Receipt for Merchandise Mail for the amount of time
permitted by DMM F030, or until resolution of the dispute, whichever
comes first. - c. Express Mail. Hold Express Mail as specified by DMM F030, or until
resolution of the dispute, whichever comes first.
- a. Ordinary Mail. Hold the mail until such time as notice of final disposition
- 616.23 Returned Mail - Endorse returned items “In Dispute.”
- 616.21 Steps for Resolution - The following Postal Service authorities have responsibilities in attempting to resolve disputes:
- 616.3 Delivery of Mail According to Court Order - When the same mail is claimed by different persons, and a court decides to
whom delivery should be made, the mail is delivered according to the court
order.