Free tool

The footer US law asks of business email.

Every commercial email sent to the US, to a business or a person, has to say it’s an ad, give your postal address and offer a clear way to stop getting emails. Fill in yours and copy two lines to put under every email. It runs in your browser; nothing is sent anywhere.

Updated 6 October 2026

How people stop your emails

Your footer

A sales email from [your business name] · [your postal address] Not for you? Reply "stop" and I won't email you again.

The FTC's seven rules, in its own words

  1. Don't use false or misleading header information. “Your “From,” “To,” “Reply-To,” and routing information must be accurate.”
  2. Don't use deceptive subject lines. “The subject line must accurately reflect the content of the message.”
  3. Identify the message as an ad. “You must disclose clearly and conspicuously that your message is an advertisement.”
  4. Tell recipients where you're located. “Your message must include your valid physical postal address. This can be your current street address, a post office box you've registered with the U.S. Postal Service, or a private mailbox you've registered with a commercial mail receiving agency.”
  5. Tell recipients how to opt out. “Your message must include a clear and conspicuous explanation of how the recipient can opt out.”
  6. Honor opt-out requests promptly. “You must honor a recipient's opt-out request within 10 business days. You can't charge a fee.”
  7. Monitor what others are doing on your behalf. “You can't contract away your legal responsibility to comply with the law.”

The footer covers three of the seven: it says the email is an offer, gives your postal address and says how to opt out. The rest is how you send: an honest From line and subject, and stopping within 10 business days when someone asks.

Sources, checked 6 October 2026: FTC, CAN-SPAM Act: A Compliance Guide for Business. This isn't legal advice; for anything beyond a footer, ask a lawyer.

Questions

Does CAN-SPAM apply to emails to businesses?+

Yes. The FTC's guide says: “The law makes no exception for business-to-business email.”

Can I use a PO box instead of my home address?+

Yes, if it's a post office box registered with the U.S. Postal Service, or a private mailbox registered with a commercial mail receiving agency. Those are the FTC's own examples of a valid postal address.

Is “reply stop” enough as an opt-out?+

The FTC's guide says: “Give a return email address or another easy Internet-based way to allow people to communicate their choice to you.” Whatever you offer has to keep working for at least 30 days after you send, and you have to act on a request within 10 business days.

What's the penalty?+

The FTC's guide says each separate email in violation is subject to penalties of up to $53,088.

Does this cover emails to Canada or Europe?+

No. CAN-SPAM is US law. Canada, the UK and the EU have their own rules, and several need the person's consent before a sales email.