It's something that we all that to get -- junk mail.
A post making the rounds on social media claims that as long as you can seal the envelope you can send back anything in those envelopes.
The envelopes in question, attached to the so-called junk mail are sent out by distributors as business mail. The U.S. Postal Service requires each distributor sending out the mails with Business Reply envelopes to hold a permit from the Postal Service.
According to Postal Service website, the Domestic Mail Manual, says a permit holder guarantees payment of proper First-Class Mail postage, plus a per piece fee, on all returned Business Reply Mail distributed by the permit holder.
The social media post in question says you if you send back a BRM envelope overweight, the sender will get slammed for the extra postage.
However the Postal Service has ruled on that extra weight too, saying:
When heavy items such as bricks, 2 x 4s, etc., are found in the mails with a BRM card or envelope pasted, stapled, or taped on them as an address label, the pieces should be treated as are other nonmailable items found loose in the mails. If the sender cannot be identified, the matter should be disposed of as waste. If the misused BRM card or envelope is affixed as an address label to a sealed parcel or container, the piece should be treated as dead mail. Please note that these procedures should be followed when a BRM card or a BRM envelope is attached to such heavy items. It is obvious in such cases that the piece is being used in a manner other than that intended by the distributor.
While the Postal Service is unable to guarantee that the BRM envelopes will be used for the intended purpose, a spokesperson Northern Ohio District & Ohio Valley District of the Service tells Channel 3, that USPS regulations say the envelopes must be used for its intended purpose.
The Postal Service goes on to say that customer can opt out of undesired marketing mail for up to 10 years.
So as far as the post goes -- that claim you can send anything is false.