RFC 1893 (rfc1893) - Page 3 of 15
Enhanced Mail System Status Codes
Alternative Format: Original Text Document
RFC 1893 Mail System Status Codes January 1996
The class sub-code provides a broad classification of the status.
The enumerated values the class are defined as:
2.X.X Success
Success specifies that the DSN is reporting a positive delivery
action. Detail sub-codes may provide notification of
transformations required for delivery.
4.X.X Persistent Transient Failure
A persistent transient failure is one in which the message as
sent is valid, but some temporary event prevents the successful
sending of the message. Sending in the future may be successful.
5.X.X Permanent Failure
A permanent failure is one which is not likely to be resolved by
resending the message in the current form. Some change to the
message or the destination must be made for successful delivery.
A client must recognize and report class sub-code even where
subsequent subject sub-codes are unrecognized.
The subject sub-code classifies the status. This value applies to
each of the three classifications. The subject sub-code, if
recognized, must be reported even if the additional detail provided
by the detail sub-code is not recognized. The enumerated values for
the subject sub-code are:
X.0.X Other or Undefined Status
There is no additional subject information available.
X.1.X Addressing Status
The address status reports on the originator or destination
address. It may include address syntax or validity. These
errors can generally be corrected by the sender and retried.
X.2.X Mailbox Status
Mailbox status indicates that something having to do with the
mailbox has cause this DSN. Mailbox issues are assumed to be
under the general control of the recipient.
Vaudreuil Standards Track