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Keep Return-Path header in Postfix

We use Postfix to send emails from Java (Tomcat). We want to give each outgoing message a unique Return-Path header, so that our system automatically can register bounced email addresses.

For example, when I send an email to test@somewhere.com I want to use a Return-Path as 1234-ieh9fj83oiu@bounce.mydomain.com. And when I send an email to test2@somewhere-else.com I want to use a Return-Path as 1235-oijdfoijdfj33@bounce.mydomain.com.

I set the unique Return-Path header in the email in Java, before passing it on to Postfix through an SMTP connection. I have logged the outgoing message, and it has the correct (unique) "Return-Path" address.

However, when the email arrives to the recipient the Return-Path is set as support@mydomain.com. This is the email address used in From. It seems that Postfix automatically resets our custom Return-Path header with the From header.

I believe this is in line with the SMTP guidelines, when an SMTP server gateway sends an email it should reset the Return-Path header.

How can I configure Postfix so that it does NOT change the Return-Path header for my own emails?

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kevin_u

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karlsfre

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Thanks a lot,

Just for reference, if someone else is looking to send emails from Java via SMTP, use com.sun.mail.smtp.SMTPMessage instead of MimeMessage, that way you can set the Envelope From. See example code below.

SMTPMessage m = new SMTPMessage();
m.setEnvelopeFrom(bounceAddress);

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