What does Apple's 'Message rejected due to local policy' error mean, and how can it be resolved?

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
10Marketer 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.

August 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.

January 2024 - Email Provider Forum
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit user u/EmailHelp shares that the error can be due to the sender's IP address being blacklisted. They advise checking IP reputation using online tools and contacting the blacklist provider for removal.

February 2025 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit user u/DeliverEmail states that using URL shorteners like Bitly or TinyURL can sometimes cause this error, as these links are often flagged as suspicious. Use full URLs or a custom domain.

June 2022 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Deliverability Blog explains that some receiving mail servers enforce strict size limits on emails. Compressing attachments or sending a link to a file hosted online may resolve the issue.

August 2024 - Email Deliverability Blog
Marketer view

Email marketer from Quora suggests it could be due to exceeding sending limits. Especially new accounts are often subject to limits to prevent spam. Gradually increase sending volume.

August 2021 - Quora
Marketer view

Email marketer from StackOverflow User 'EmailPro' recommends ensuring SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records are correctly set up for the sending domain to improve email authentication and reduce the chance of rejection.

May 2022 - StackOverflow
Marketer view

Email marketer from SuperUser explains that some organisations have strict keyword blocking. So if you are sending an email about a specific piece of software they don't like. This could cause the rejection.

December 2022 - SuperUser
Marketer view

Email marketer from Webmaster Forum User 'NetMail' advises checking if the sender domain has a history of spam complaints. A high complaint rate negatively impacts reputation and leads to rejections.

February 2022 - Webmaster Forum
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks shares that content blocks and shared URL shorteners like Bitly can trigger the error.

September 2023 - Email Geeks

What the experts say
4Expert 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.

June 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.

November 2021 - Spam Resource
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise, Hal Helms, explains that 'local policy' errors are often vague and require investigation of the specific receiving server's policies. He advises contacting the recipient's administrator or postmaster to understand the specific reason for rejection, which could include content filters, blacklists, or other internal rules.

August 2024 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks suggests that the 'CS' in the error message indicates Cloudmark is involved, then confirms Cloudmark is an Apple vendor.

November 2023 - Email Geeks

What the documentation says
6Technical 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.

September 2022 - 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.

January 2023 - Spamhaus
Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft explains the error can be caused if the sender's domain is blocked or listed in the recipient's organization's block list. It advises contacting the recipient's IT department.

August 2023 - Microsoft
Technical article

Documentation from RFC 5321 defines that the rejection means the receiving server has a policy in place preventing the delivery. Usually caused by poor domain reputation.

July 2024 - RFC Editor
Technical article

Documentation from MXToolbox states that the 'local policy' rejection means the receiving mail server is deliberately refusing the email based on its own set of rules. They recommend using their tools to check blacklists and diagnose DNS issues.

August 2024 - MXToolbox
Technical article

Documentation from Apple Support explains that this error indicates a problem with the recipient's mail server configuration or policies, causing it to reject the message.

June 2023 - Apple Support