Summary
The 'Message rejected due to local policy' error indicates that the receiving server has intentionally refused the email due to its own specific configuration and policies. The error can stem from various reasons, including issues with IP or domain reputation, spam filter triggers (Cloudmark/Proofpoint involvement), content concerns (spam words, URL shorteners, content blocks, exceeding email size limits), sending practices (exceeding sending limits, high spam complaint rate), or the sender being directly blacklisted by the recipient. Resolution involves contacting the recipient's administrator, investigating blacklists, ensuring proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), reviewing email content, adjusting sending practices, and adhering to anti-spam policies.
Key findings
- Cloudmark/Proofpoint: The 'CS' code may indicate Cloudmark (now owned by Proofpoint) involvement in the rejection.
- Blacklisting: The sending IP address or domain might be blacklisted by the recipient or a third-party service (like Spamhaus).
- Authentication Failures: Missing or incorrect SPF, DKIM, or DMARC records can cause rejections.
- Content Issues: Spam filters, content blocks, URL shorteners, and certain keywords can trigger rejections.
- Sending Limits: Exceeding sending limits, especially from new accounts, can cause temporary rejections.
- Spam Complaints: A high rate of spam complaints against your domain negatively impacts reputation.
- Server Policy: The recipient's mail server's specific local policies cause the rejection.
- Vague Error: 'Local policy' errors are often vague, requiring investigation of the receiving server's configuration.
Key considerations
- Postmaster Contact: Contact the recipient's administrator or postmaster to understand the rejection reason.
- Blocklist Monitoring: Monitor your IP and domain reputation using tools and remove listings if needed.
- Authentication Setup: Ensure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records are correctly configured to authenticate your emails.
- Content Review: Review email content to avoid spam triggers, URL shorteners, and blocked keywords.
- Sending Practices: Gradually increase sending volume, monitor bounce rates, and manage spam complaints.
- Size Limits: Check for and adhere to email size limitations enforced by the receiving server.
- Whitelist Request: If you have a legitimate sending relationship with the recipient, request to be whitelisted.
What email marketers say
10 marketer opinions
Apple's 'Message rejected due to local policy' error indicates the receiving server is rejecting the email based on its own specific policies. Resolution strategies involve addressing potential issues with the sender, the content, and email authentication. Specific actions include contacting the recipient's postmaster, checking IP reputation, ensuring proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), reviewing email content for spam triggers and blocked keywords, avoiding URL shorteners, staying within sending limits, and adhering to email size limits.
Key opinions
- Contact Recipient: Contacting the recipient's postmaster or IT department can provide specific reasons for the rejection.
- IP Reputation: A blacklisted IP address can cause this error. Check IP reputation and request delisting if necessary.
- Email Authentication: Incorrect or missing SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records can lead to rejections.
- Content Issues: Spam triggers, blocked keywords, and the use of URL shorteners can cause the receiving server to reject the email.
- Sending Limits: Exceeding sending limits, especially with new accounts, can result in this error.
- Email Size: Large emails or attachments exceeding the recipient's server limits can cause rejection.
- Spam Complaints: A high history of spam complaints against the sender's domain can lead to rejections.
Key considerations
- Monitoring & Maintenance: Regularly monitor IP reputation, email authentication settings, and sending practices to prevent future rejections.
- Content Review: Thoroughly review email content for spam triggers and potentially blocked keywords before sending.
- Gradual Increase: When starting with a new sending domain or IP, gradually increase sending volume to establish a positive reputation.
- Feedback Loops: Implement feedback loops to monitor and address spam complaints promptly.
- Size Optimization: Optimize email size by compressing attachments or linking to hosted files.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Email Geeks shares that they resolved a similar issue by emailing the iCloud postmaster address.
13 Jul 2021 - Email Geeks
Marketer view
Email marketer from Email Provider Forum User 'MailGuru' suggests the issue could be related to the content of the email triggering spam filters at the receiving end. They recommend reviewing email content for common spam triggers and ensuring proper email authentication.
19 Jul 2024 - Email Provider Forum
What the experts say
4 expert opinions
The 'Message rejected due to local policy' error from Apple signifies that the receiving server has intentionally rejected the email based on its own configuration and policies. Cloudmark, an Apple vendor now owned by Proofpoint, may be involved. Resolving this requires investigating the specific receiving server's policies, contacting the recipient's administrator or postmaster, and addressing potential issues like content filters, blacklists, or IP reputation.
Key opinions
- Cloudmark/Proofpoint: The 'CS' code may indicate Cloudmark (now owned by Proofpoint) involvement in the rejection.
- Vague Error: 'Local policy' errors are often vague and require further investigation.
- Server-Specific Policies: Rejection is based on the receiving server's unique configuration and rules.
- Contact Administrator: Contacting the recipient's administrator or postmaster is crucial for understanding the specific rejection reason.
Key considerations
- Investigate Policies: Determine the specific policies of the receiving server that are causing the rejection.
- Monitor Reputation: Monitor your sending IP and domain reputation to avoid blacklisting.
- Content Review: Ensure email content complies with potential content filters.
- Vendor Awareness: Be aware of email security vendors and their role in filtering, such as Cloudmark/Proofpoint.
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks clarifies that Proofpoint bought Cloudmark, so they are effectively the same.
8 Sep 2024 - Email Geeks
Expert view
Expert from Spam Resource explains that a 'local policy' rejection means that the receiving server has deliberately chosen not to accept the message due to its own configuration. This can range from simple things like the reputation of your IP, or a more specific filter.
11 Apr 2024 - Spam Resource
What the documentation says
6 technical articles
The 'Message rejected due to local policy' error from Apple indicates that the receiving server is intentionally refusing the email based on its own specific policies and configuration, often related to anti-spam measures, blacklists, or internal rules. This can be due to issues with the sender's IP or domain reputation, violations of anti-spam policies, or being listed on the recipient's blocklist. Resolution involves investigating your sending IP or domain on blocklists (like Spamhaus), contacting the recipient's IT department, checking DNS settings and reviewing guidelines for bulk email senders (like Google's).
Key findings
- Recipient Policy: The rejection is based on the recipient's mail server configuration and policies.
- Blocklists: 'Local policy' rejections often stem from the recipient server using blocklists like Spamhaus.
- Domain Reputation: Poor domain reputation can lead to rejections due to server policies.
- Sender Blocked: The sender's domain might be blocked or listed in the recipient's organization's block list.
- Anti-Spam Violations: Rejection can occur if the email violates anti-spam policies or contains malware.
- Deliberate Refusal: The receiving mail server is deliberately refusing the email based on its rules.
Key considerations
- Blocklist Checks: Regularly check your sending IP and domain against known blocklists.
- IT Contact: If possible, contact the recipient's IT department for clarification and potential resolution.
- DNS Diagnostics: Diagnose DNS issues that might be contributing to deliverability problems.
- Policy Compliance: Review and adhere to guidelines for bulk email senders and anti-spam policies.
Technical article
Documentation from Google Workspace explains that it can occur if the email violates their anti-spam policies or contains malware. Review Google's guidelines for bulk email senders.
29 Aug 2024 - Google Workspace
Technical article
Documentation from Spamhaus explains that 'local policy' rejections often stem from the recipient server using Spamhaus blocklists. They suggest investigating if your sending IP or domain is listed and taking steps to delist if necessary.
21 Jun 2024 - Spamhaus
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