How to cancel your an post MailMinder scheduled send service in ireland
Understanding an post MailMinder and why you might need to cancel
An Post MailMinder is a mail redirection and scheduled delivery service that allows you to defer the receipt of physical post to a future date. Whether you originally signed up for temporary redirection during a house move, a business relocation, or simply to manage your mail flow, you may now find yourself wanting to end the service. This guide walks you through the legal cancellation process under Irish consumer law, the exact steps to take, and your rights as a consumer under the Consumer Rights Act 2022.
You might be cancelling because your redirection period has ended, you no longer require the service, or you prefer to manage your post differently. Whatever your reason, Yafee is here to guide you through the precise procedure and ensure you understand your consumer protections. The process is straightforward once you follow the correct channels, and Yafee ensures you have all the information you need to cancel confidently and legally.
What an post MailMinder typically costs
An Post MailMinder operates on a straightforward tariff structure based on the duration and scope of your redirection. Here is what you are typically paying for:
| Service duration |
Coverage scope |
Indicative cost (EUR) |
| 4 weeks |
Individual mail redirection |
€9.50 |
| 12 weeks |
Individual mail redirection |
€25.00 |
| 1 year |
Individual mail redirection |
€79.00 |
| 3 months |
Business redirection (multiple names) |
€50.00 |
| 12 months |
Business redirection (multiple names) |
€180.00 |
Your exact charges depend on the duration you selected when you first registered and whether you opted for individual or business redirection. Yafee recommends checking your original confirmation letter from An Post to confirm your current service level and renewal date before you proceed with cancellation.
Why cancelling on time matters
An Post MailMinder services operate on fixed-term contracts. If you wish to stop the service before your contract expires, you must submit a formal cancellation request. Critically, An Post requires a minimum of five working days' notice before your intended cancellation date. If you fail to provide adequate notice, your redirection may continue through the current billing period, and you will not receive a refund for unused service time. Consequently, understanding the deadline for your notice is essential to avoid paying for unwanted service.
Yafee has assisted many Irish consumers in navigating the An Post cancellation process, and timing is consistently the most important factor. The sooner you submit your written request, the sooner your redirection service will end.
Your consumer rights in ireland under the consumer rights act 2022
Irish consumer law provides you with robust protections when cancelling services, and you must understand these rights before you initiate the cancellation process.
What the consumer rights act 2022 guarantees you
The Consumer Rights Act 2022 is the primary statute governing distance contracts and subscription services in Ireland, and it grants you the following protections:
- Right to clear pre-contractual information: Your service provider must disclose the main terms, total price, duration, and cancellation method before you commit to the contract.
- Right to cancel within 14 days: For distance contracts (including online and postal services), you hold a 14-calendar-day cooling-off period from the date you accept the terms. This allows you to cancel without penalty or reason.
- Right to terminate after the cooling-off period: Once the 14-day window closes, you can still cancel, but the provider may retain payment for service already delivered.
- Right to receive clear renewal notices: Your provider must send you a written reminder at least 15 days before any automatic renewal, stating the renewal date, price, and the method to cancel.
- Right to easy cancellation: The cancellation method must be as straightforward and transparent as the purchase method itself.
Your legal position: Because An Post MailMinder is a fixed-term service (not an automatic renewal), your cancellation rights depend on whether you are within the 14-day cooling-off period or cancelling after that window. If you are within 14 days of purchase, you can cancel without penalty. If you are cancelling after 14 days, An Post may not refund unused service time unless the contract or applicable law permits it. Nevertheless, you retain the right to cancel by providing the required five working days' notice in writing.
How to cancel your an post MailMinder service
Cancellation of An Post MailMinder requires a formal written submission to a specific postal address. Follow this procedure to ensure your cancellation is processed correctly and on time.
Gather your account information
Before you write your cancellation letter, you must collect the details An Post will need to identify your account. This step prevents delays and ensures your request reaches the correct department.
- Locate your original MailMinder confirmation letter from An Post. This document contains your service start date and reference number.
- Note the address from which your mail is being redirected (your old address).
- Note the address to which your mail is currently being redirected (your new address).
- Write down the service duration you purchased (4 weeks, 12 weeks, 1 year, etc.).
- Have your full name or business name ready, exactly as it appears on the MailMinder registration.
Compose your formal cancellation letter
An Post requires a written cancellation request. Your letter must be formal, clear, and contain all necessary information. Use this structure:
- Write your current name and address at the top of the letter (the address where you are currently receiving your redirected mail).
- Insert today's date.
- Address the letter to the An Post Redirection Unit (see the full address below).
- Begin with a clear statement: "I hereby request cancellation of my MailMinder service."
- State the original address from which your mail is being redirected.
- Provide your MailMinder service reference number (if you have it).
- Specify your intended cancellation date. This date must be at least five working days from the date you post the letter.
- Request confirmation of cancellation in writing.
- Sign the letter with your full name.
Submit your cancellation by post
An Post accepts cancellation requests only in written form sent to their dedicated Redirection Unit. Email and telephone cancellations are not accepted for this service, so you must use the postal method.
- Print or handwrite your cancellation letter and sign it.
- Place your letter in an envelope.
- Address the envelope to:
- An Post Redirection Unit
- Ground Floor
- GPO (General Post Office)
- O'Connell Street Lower
- Freepost
- Dublin 1
- D01 F5P2
- You do not need to affix a postage stamp because this is a Freepost address.
- Post your letter at any An Post outlet or postbox.
- Consider posting it at least 7 to 10 working days before your intended cancellation date to allow processing time and account for the five working days' notice requirement.
Confirm your cancellation has been processed
After you submit your cancellation letter, An Post should send you written confirmation that your service has ended. This step protects you if there are any subsequent disputes.
- Wait for a confirmation letter from An Post Redirection Unit. This typically arrives within 10 working days of their receipt of your request.
- Verify that the confirmation letter states the correct cancellation date and the address from which redirection has been stopped.
- Keep the confirmation letter for your records in case you need to dispute any future charges.
- From your specified cancellation date onwards, your mail should no longer be redirected and should be delivered to your original address.
Refunds and billing after cancellation
Understanding the refund position is essential before you initiate cancellation, particularly if you have paid for a longer service period and are cancelling early.
When an post will refund you
An Post's refund policy depends on whether you are within the statutory cooling-off period or cancelling a fixed-term contract.
- Cancellation within 14 days of purchase: You are entitled to a full refund under the Consumer Rights Act 2022, provided you have not yet used the service (or have used it minimally). An Post may deduct a reasonable charge for the period during which the service was active.
- Cancellation after 14 days: An Post is not obligated to refund unused service time unless the contract specifically permits it or the service has not begun. Fixed-term MailMinder contracts typically do not include a refund for early termination.
- Service not yet started: If your cancellation takes effect before your service start date, you have a stronger case for requesting a full refund. Contact An Post to discuss this scenario.
How to request a refund
If you believe you are entitled to a refund, include a refund request in your cancellation letter. State the reason for your request (for example, "Service has not yet commenced" or "Cancellation is within the 14-day cooling-off period"). An Post will review your claim and respond in writing. If An Post refuses your refund, you may escalate your complaint to the Commission for Aviation Regulation (CAR), which acts as the postal regulator in Ireland.
Common mistakes when cancelling an post MailMinder
Many Irish consumers inadvertently delay or complicate their cancellation by making simple procedural errors. The good news is that these mistakes are easily avoidable if you know what to watch for.
Failing to provide adequate notice
The most common error is submitting a cancellation request with fewer than five working days' notice before the intended cancellation date. An Post will not process your request if notice is insufficient, and your service will continue. To avoid this, count five working days backwards from your desired cancellation date, then submit your letter well in advance.
Using the wrong address
Some consumers send their cancellation letter to a local An Post branch or to a general An Post address. Your letter must reach the Redirection Unit specifically at the GPO address provided in this guide. If you send it elsewhere, it will be delayed or misdirected. Always verify the address before posting.
Omitting essential account information
Cancellation letters that lack your service reference number, the original redirected address, or your name delay processing. An Post staff cannot identify your account without these details. Double-check your letter before posting to ensure all information is included.
Assuming email or telephone cancellation is accepted
An Post does not accept MailMinder cancellations by email, telephone, or online. Written post is the only accepted method. Do not attempt to cancel through alternative channels; it will not be processed, and your service will continue to run.
What happens after your cancellation takes effect
Once your An Post MailMinder service ends, several practical steps follow. Understanding what to expect ensures a smooth transition.
Your mail redirection will stop
On the cancellation date you specified, An Post will cease forwarding your post to the redirection address. From that date, any post addressed to your original address will be delivered to that original address, not to your new address. If you have moved and do not want post to accumulate at your old address, you should arrange collection or ask a neighbour to collect on your behalf.
Undelivered mail held by an post
If An Post has received post for you that is still in their system on your cancellation date, they will attempt to return it to the sender if the sender's address is known. Post that cannot be returned will be disposed of in accordance with An Post's standard procedures. Consequently, if you expect important correspondence, ensure it is re-addressed before cancellation takes effect.
Verification of service termination
Retain the written confirmation of cancellation from An Post for at least one year. If a new charge appears on your account after the cancellation date, or if post continues to be redirected, contact An Post immediately with your confirmation letter as proof that the service has ended.
Escalating a complaint if an post refuses to cancel
If An Post does not respond to your cancellation request or refuses to cancel without valid reason, you have recourse through the postal regulator.
Contact the commission for aviation regulation
The Commission for Aviation Regulation (CAR) is the independent regulator of the postal service in Ireland. If An Post breaches your consumer rights or fails to process a lawful cancellation, you may lodge a formal complaint with CAR. They will investigate the complaint and can compel An Post to comply with consumer law. Visit the CAR website or contact them by telephone or post to begin the complaints process. Yafee recommends keeping all correspondence with An Post, including your cancellation letter and any responses, to support your complaint.
Seek advice from the consumer rights commission
The Consumer Rights Commission is another resource if you dispute An Post's handling of your cancellation or refund claim. They provide free information and advice to Irish consumers and can mediate between you and the provider. Yafee advises contacting them if informal resolution with An Post has failed.
Comparison: when to cancel versus when to continue
Before you commit to cancellation, consider whether continuing the service might serve your needs better in specific circumstances.
| Scenario |
Cancel now |
Consider continuing |
| Your relocation is permanent |
Yes |
Only if you still expect post from your old address. |
| You have re-established all accounts at your new address |
Yes |
Only if important organisations still send post to your old address. |
| Your contract period is nearly complete |
Only if you want to stop now; otherwise wait for natural expiry. |
Yes, usually - to avoid early termination penalties |
| You wish to recover unused charges within 14 days of purchase |
Yes |
No - you will lose the cooling-off right if you delay. |
| Your service has not yet started |
Yes - you have the strongest refund claim |
No - there is no benefit to waiting. |
| You need temporary redirection for a short-term project |
Yes, once the project ends |
Only until your project is complete. |
Checklist for an post MailMinder cancellation
Use this checklist to ensure you have completed every step correctly before posting your cancellation letter:
- Located your original MailMinder confirmation letter and service reference number.
- Identified the original address from which mail is being redirected.
- Identified the current redirection address.
- Composed a formal, signed cancellation letter with all required information.
- Specified a cancellation date that is at least five working days from today.
- Verified the An Post Redirection Unit address is correct on the envelope.
- Confirmed you are using Freepost (no postage stamp required).
- Kept a copy of your cancellation letter for your records.
- Posted the letter at least 7 to 10 working days before your intended cancellation date.
- Awaited written confirmation from An Post (allow up to 10 working days).
- Checked that the confirmation letter matches your requested cancellation date and address.
- Arranged for mail collection at your old address if you have relocated.
- Notified any senders who may still address mail to your old address.
- Retained the An Post confirmation letter for one year as proof of cancellation.
Summary and next steps
Cancelling your An Post MailMinder service is a straightforward process once you follow the correct legal and procedural requirements. The key points to remember are: submit a formal written request at least five working days before your intended cancellation date, address it to the An Post Redirection Unit at the GPO in Dublin, and retain confirmation of the cancellation for your records. Your rights as an Irish consumer are protected under the Consumer Rights Act 2022, and if An Post breaches these rights, you can escalate your complaint to the Commission for Aviation Regulation.
Yafee has guided many Irish consumers through the cancellation process, and the vast majority succeed without difficulty when they follow these steps precisely. If you remain uncertain about any aspect of the procedure, contact An Post directly before submitting your cancellation to clarify your position. Once your cancellation is confirmed, your redirection service will end on the date you specified, and you will cease to incur charges. Yafee is committed to ensuring you understand your rights and execute cancellations with confidence and legal certainty.
Complete address for cancellation submission
Use this address for all cancellation correspondence:
An Post Redirection Unit
Ground Floor
GPO (General Post Office)
O'Connell Street Lower
Freepost
Dublin 1
D01 F5P2
Ireland
No postage stamp is required. Allow 10 to 15 working days from posting for your cancellation to be processed and confirmed.