Why are emails to .dk domains being rejected with IP_IN_CIDR error?

Summary

The IP_IN_CIDR error when sending emails to .dk domains primarily indicates that the recipient mail server is blocking a range of IP addresses, including the sender's. This is often due to the IP address having a poor reputation stemming from spam activity, being listed on blocklists, or aggressive filtering by the recipient's mail server. Incorrectly configured SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records also contribute to deliverability issues. To resolve this, it's recommended to check the IP's reputation, ensure proper email authentication setup, contact the recipient's postmaster, verify reverse DNS settings, secure the sending infrastructure, and practice good list hygiene.

Key findings

  • IP Blocklisting: The primary cause is the IP address falling within a blocked CIDR range on the recipient mail server.
  • Poor Reputation: The sending IP address likely has a poor reputation due to spam activity, leading to blocking.
  • Authentication Issues: Incorrectly configured SPF, DKIM, or DMARC records increase the likelihood of being blocked.
  • Geo-Fencing: Some .dk domains may use geo-fencing or country-specific blocklists.
  • Compromised Infrastructure: The sending infrastructure might be compromised and used for spam.
  • rDNS Problems: Missing or mismatched reverse DNS (rDNS) records can lead to rejections.

Key considerations

  • Contact Postmaster: Reach out to the recipient's mail server administrator or postmaster to request whitelisting or understand the blocking reason.
  • Check Blocklists: Verify if the sending IP address is listed on public or private blocklists.
  • Review Authentication: Thoroughly review and correct SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records to ensure proper authentication.
  • Secure Infrastructure: Implement robust security measures to prevent the sending infrastructure from being compromised and used for spam.
  • Monitor Reputation: Continuously monitor IP address reputation and take proactive steps to maintain a good sender reputation.
  • Implement List Hygiene: Proactive management to minimise spam traps and list bomb attacks.
  • Reverse DNS: Ensure a correct reverse DNS.

What email marketers say
12Marketer opinions

Emails to .dk domains being rejected with the IP_IN_CIDR error often stem from the recipient mail server blocking the sender's IP range due to perceived spam risks. Several factors can contribute to this, including poor IP reputation, incorrect email authentication setup (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), presence on blocklists, geo-fencing policies, or even a compromised sending infrastructure. Troubleshooting involves checking the IP's reputation, verifying authentication records, contacting the recipient's postmaster for whitelisting, and ensuring the sending infrastructure is secure and properly configured.

Key opinions

  • IP Reputation: The sending IP address likely has a poor reputation, causing the .dk domains to block the IP range.
  • Email Authentication: Incorrectly configured SPF, DKIM, or DMARC records can lead to deliverability issues, including IP_IN_CIDR errors. An SPF record using ~all instead of -all may also be a cause.
  • Blocklists: The sending IP might be listed on public or private blocklists used by .dk domains.
  • Geo-Fencing: Some .dk domains might use geo-fencing or country-specific blocklists, blocking IPs from certain regions.
  • Compromised Infrastructure: The sending infrastructure may be compromised and used for spam, leading to IP blocking.
  • rDNS Mismatch: A reverse DNS mismatch or lack of configuration can cause security filters to cause rejections.

Key considerations

  • Contact Postmaster: Reach out to the postmaster of the .dk domain to request whitelisting or understand the specific reason for the block.
  • Monitor Reputation: Use reputation monitoring tools to check the IP's reputation and take steps to improve it.
  • Verify Authentication: Ensure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records are correctly configured and that the sending server's IP address is included in the SPF record.
  • Check for Malware: Thoroughly check the sending servers for malware and ensure that security best practices are followed.
  • Review Security Policies: Recipient mail servers have stricter security policies in place so whitelisting might be necessary to avoid rejections.
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit shares their experience encountering this issue, noting that it's often difficult to resolve directly. They suggest contacting the postmaster of the .dk domain and asking for specific reasons or whitelist options. Also suggest checking if the IP used to send emails is on any public or private blocklists used by the .dk domains.

December 2023 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks suggests that an "incorrect" SPF record could be the cause, potentially a ~all instead of -all at the end of the SPF record. Also points out that there are issues with YouSee.dk emails, as many people are having the same issue since 1.4.2021.

January 2025 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailjet Support says if the SPF and DKIM records are correct, but you are still getting this message, they recommend reaching out to the recipient or their email provider to request whitelisting or to understand the specific reason for the block. They explain it's possible that the recipient's mail server has stricter security policies in place.

July 2024 - Mailjet
Marketer view

Email marketer from Stack Overflow states that this error could be due to an SPF record that is either missing or misconfigured. The user explains that it is important to ensure the sending server's IP address is included in the SPF record for the sending domain.

April 2024 - Stack Overflow
Marketer view

Email marketer from Postmark Support says to ensure that reverse DNS (rDNS) is properly configured for your sending IP address. The rDNS record should match the hostname used in your HELO/EHLO greeting. Mismatched or missing rDNS can trigger security filters and lead to rejections.

August 2022 - Postmark
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks recommends reaching out to the postmaster or the proper channel to resolve the issue, sharing an anecdote about accidentally blocking someone due to geo-fencing.

May 2021 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Expert from Email Geeks explains that the issue sounds like a block on the IP or the network by the recipient mailbox provider. Suggests checking if the IP is listed anywhere and addressing it. Also recommends reading bounces from other MBPs for blocking indicators and contacting postmasters for tips.

April 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailDiscussions Forum mentions that some .dk domains might use geo-fencing or country-specific blocklists. They suggest checking if the sending IP address is located in a country that is blocked by the recipient's mail server.

October 2024 - EmailDiscussions Forum
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks suggests that if the recipient is using a corporate email, requesting an IP whitelist from the receiving server might resolve the issue.

June 2021 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Quora suggests that the client's sending infrastructure could be compromised and used for spam. They recommend thoroughly checking the sending servers for malware and ensuring that security best practices are followed.

June 2023 - Quora
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks suggests that an "incorrect" SPF record could be the cause, potentially a ~all instead of -all at the end of the SPF record. Also points out that there are issues with YouSee.dk emails, as many people are having the same issue since 1.4.2021.

January 2025 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailSecurityPro Forum suggests the IP address might have a poor reputation score. They advise using reputation monitoring tools to check the IP's reputation and taking steps to improve it, such as ensuring proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) and avoiding spam triggers in email content.

April 2024 - EmailSecurityPro Forum

What the experts say
3Expert opinions

Emails to .dk domains being rejected with the IP_IN_CIDR error indicate that the recipient mail server has blocked the sender's IP range. This blockage is often due to factors such as poor IP reputation, spam activity originating from the IP range, aggressive filtering by the recipient server, or being listed on blocklists. Addressing this involves investigating the IP's reputation, confirming proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), contacting the recipient's mail server, and implementing proactive list hygiene and monitoring processes.

Key opinions

  • IP Blocking: The recipient mail server has blocked the sender's IP range due to perceived spam risks.
  • Poor IP Reputation: A poor IP reputation stemming from spam activity or other negative factors can lead to blocking.
  • Aggressive Filtering: Recipient mail servers may employ aggressive filtering rules, resulting in IP_IN_CIDR errors.
  • Blocklisting: The IP address may be listed on public or private blocklists.
  • Poor List Hygiene: Spam traps, complaints, bounces, and poor list hygiene contribute to the IP's reputation and potential blocklisting.

Key considerations

  • Check Reputation: Investigate the IP address's reputation on public blocklists and through reputation monitoring services.
  • Verify Authentication: Ensure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records are correctly configured to authenticate emails.
  • Contact Postmaster: Contact the recipient's mail server administrator to request whitelisting or further clarification on the blocking reason.
  • Proactive Monitoring: Implement a proactive monitoring process to maintain list hygiene and avoid spam traps, complaints, and bounces.
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks explains that the issue sounds like a block on the IP or the network by the recipient mailbox provider. Suggests checking if the IP is listed anywhere and addressing it. Also recommends reading bounces from other MBPs for blocking indicators and contacting postmasters for tips.

April 2024 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from SpamResource explains that IP_IN_CIDR errors typically indicate that the recipient mail server has blocked a range of IP addresses that includes the sender's IP. This can be due to poor IP reputation, spam activity originating from the IP range, or simply overly aggressive filtering. They recommend checking the IP against public blocklists, ensuring proper SPF/DKIM/DMARC configuration, and contacting the recipient's mail server administrator to request whitelisting or clarification.

September 2021 - SpamResource
Expert view

Expert Laura Atkins from Word to the Wise explains that blocklisting, which would result in an IP_IN_CIDR error, is complex and results from many factors. These factors include spam traps, complaints, bounces and poor list hygiene. A proactive monitoring process can help avoid these scenarios.

July 2023 - Word to the Wise

What the documentation says
5Technical articles

The IP_IN_CIDR error when sending emails to .dk domains signifies that the recipient server's anti-spam policy is rejecting connections from the sender's IP address, often because it falls within a blocked CIDR range associated with spam activities. Email authentication issues, specifically with SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, can also negatively impact deliverability and increase the likelihood of being blocked. Proper configuration and adherence to relevant RFCs are crucial for email authentication to ensure deliverability.

Key findings

  • CIDR Block Listing: .dk domains reject connections from IP addresses within certain CIDR blocks due to anti-spam policies.
  • Spamhaus Blocklists: IP addresses listed in Spamhaus blocklists are rejected by servers utilizing those lists.
  • DMARC Failures: DMARC failures can negatively affect email deliverability and increase the risk of being blocked.
  • SPF Record Syntax: Improper SPF record syntax can lead to deliverability issues.
  • Invalid DKIM Signatures: Emails lacking valid DKIM signatures are more likely to be flagged as spam or rejected.

Key considerations

  • Check Blocklists: Check if the sending IP address is listed on public blocklists like Spamhaus.
  • Configure Authentication: Ensure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are properly configured to authenticate emails.
  • Validate SPF Syntax: Adhere to RFC 7208 for proper SPF record syntax.
  • Ensure Valid DKIM: Maintain consistent and valid DKIM signatures for email authentication.
  • Monitor Reputation: Monitor IP and domain reputation to proactively address deliverability issues.
Technical article

Documentation from RFC Editor (RFC 7208) explains proper syntax and semantics for SPF records. Following the RFC will ensure the record is correctly interpereted, and can reduce the risk of errors that might lead to deliverability issues.

September 2024 - RFC Editor
Technical article

Documentation from DKIM.org describes the DKIM signing process, highlighting the importance of consistent and valid DKIM signatures for email authentication and deliverability. It emphasises that emails lacking valid DKIM signatures are more likely to be flagged as spam or rejected.

November 2024 - DKIM.org
Technical article

Documentation from Spamhaus explains that CIDR block listing is a common practice to block large ranges of IP addresses that are associated with spam activities. If an IP falls within a listed CIDR block, emails from that IP will be rejected by servers that use the Spamhaus blocklists.

December 2021 - Spamhaus
Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft Learn explains that the IP_IN_CIDR error typically indicates that the receiving mail server (.dk domain in this case) has an anti-spam policy that rejects connections from IP addresses within certain CIDR blocks. This is often used to block entire ranges of IPs known for sending spam.

June 2024 - Microsoft Learn
Technical article

Documentation from DMARC.org explains that DMARC failures, even if not directly causing the IP_IN_CIDR error, can negatively impact email deliverability. Ensuring that DMARC is properly configured, along with SPF and DKIM, can improve your sending reputation and reduce the likelihood of being blocked.

May 2021 - DMARC.org