554 Message rejected for policy reasons (2.1.2.3)

[Knackeredpigeon]

Hi

Sorry to raise this error again - I see a lot of people have had a similar issue over the years

Every time I (gmail account) try and email my father (btinternet account) i get the following bounce back:

554 Message rejected for policy reasons (2.1.2.3) on 2025/10/02 16:21:44 BST

This happens with emails with attachments/no attachments/using different devices in different locations and on different networks.

I'm set up as a safe sender on his btinternet mail settings,  and I'm not using vpn when sending. 

Any idea how I can fix this?

Thanks

[gg30340]

Did you check that your email address and the gmail domain is not in his blocked senders list?

[Knackeredpigeon]

Yes, my address isnt blocked and Gmail is allowed - my mum can successfully send him emails from her Gmail account

[Michael_D]

Hi @Knackeredpigeon 

If there is nothing in the blocked list on your father's account to prevent the emails from going through, I'd recommend he reaches out to our email team.

They can bring up his account and have a look into this further for him.

Michael

[Andy_N]

---

@Michael_Dwrote:

Hi @Knackeredpigeon 

If there is nothing in the blocked list on your father's account to prevent the emails from going through, I'd recommend he reaches out to our email team.

They can bring up his account and have a look into this further for him.

Michael

---

But why does this happen fairly regularly? - particularly as it doesn't happen from other accounts as the OP has said.

[Lesley_W]

Hi @Andy_N 

Our email team will be able to shed more light on this and investigate further if this has been rejected incorrectly.

Lesley

[Knackeredpigeon]

Thanks - I'm off to visit them in a couple of days, so will attempt to help him do this whilst im there.

It doesn't really explain why this seems to be a prevalent issue with Gmail accounts sending to BT though

[Katie_B]

Good morning @Knackeredpigeon. 

Our email team has reached out when you have a moment please check your community inbox so we can look to help further. 

Katie