Stop junk mail
Last checked: 12 Oct 2026
There's no single switch for junk mail in the UK. Post addressed to you, leaflets addressed to nobody, and charity appeals each have their own opt-out. Here's which one covers what.
| Type of mail | Opt-out |
|---|---|
| Marketing addressed to you by name | Mailing Preference Service, plus the open register and marketing lists |
| Leaflets delivered by your postie (unaddressed) | Royal Mail Door to Door opt-out |
| Leaflets from other distributors | Your Choice scheme |
| Charity appeals | Fundraising Preference Service |
| Mail "To the Occupier" | No opt-out. Royal Mail says it must deliver all addressed mail, including this. |
Mailing Preference Service (addressed mail)
- What it is: the free register to opt out of unsolicited addressed direct mail, run by the Data & Marketing Association and recognised by the regulator.
- How: register on the MPS website.
- Timing: it can take up to three months to see the full effect.
- What it won't block: overseas mail, unaddressed mail, or mail addressed to "The Occupier".
- Baby-related mailings have a separate service, the Baby Mailing Preference Service.
MPS reduces mail from companies that check it. To cut off the source of the lists, also opt out of the open register and the marketing-data companies. For a company you already deal with, object to direct marketing directly.
Royal Mail Door to Door (unaddressed leaflets)
- What it stops: all unaddressed items delivered by Royal Mail to your address. You can't pick and choose, and it applies to everyone at the address. In rare cases Royal Mail still delivers government messages in the national interest.
- How: print the opt-out form from Royal Mail's opt-out page, complete and sign it, and post it to the address on the form. It can't be set up by phone; for questions, call 0345 266 0858.
- Timing: Royal Mail actions it within six weeks, and it lasts two years. After that, send a new form to keep it.
- Good to know: Royal Mail says it delivers a minority of UK unaddressed mail, so opting out may not reduce your post much on its own.
Other leaflet distributors: the Your Choice scheme
For unaddressed mail from distributors other than Royal Mail, Royal Mail points to the Data & Marketing Association's "Your Choice" preference scheme: email [email protected], call 020 7291 3300, or write to 'Your Choice' Preference Scheme Dept., Data & Marketing Association (UK), Rapier House, 40–46 Lamb's Conduit Street, London WC1N 3LJ. It doesn't stop leaflets delivered by Royal Mail.
These contact details are from Royal Mail's help page. The DMA's own web page for the scheme couldn't be found on 12 Oct 2026.
Charity appeals
The Fundraising Preference Service lets you stop email, phone calls, addressed post and texts from named charities registered in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. You can name up to 10 charities per visit online, or 20 by phone on 0300 3033 517. Charities have up to 21 days to stop. It doesn't cover charities registered in Scotland, door-to-door or street fundraising, or charity bags.
Moving home: Royal Mail Redirection
If you use Royal Mail's Redirection service, Royal Mail's privacy notice says that unless you ask it not to, it may sometimes sell information about you to help organisations update their contact details, or so that some organisations can send offers to people moving home. It says the Redirection terms and conditions explain how to choose not to, so check that when you apply.
Sources
- Mailing Preference Service
- Baby Mailing Preference Service
- Royal Mail: How to opt out of advertising mail
- Royal Mail Group privacy notice (last updated Sep 2026), on Redirection
- Fundraising Preference Service
- Fundraising Preference Service: FAQ
This page describes your options and how organisations say they handle requests. It isn't legal advice. See About & sourcing to report a correction.