Setting up AWS SES for Outbound Mail

Mon Mar 30 2026

Problem: 550 PTR record errors when sending to Gmail from standard ISP lines.

Fix: Deploy AWS SES as a Smart Host relay.

Verify the root domain and configure a Custom MAIL FROM subdomain.
Generate specific SMTP credentials (distinct from standard IAM keys).
Sandbox Bypass: Upgrading to AWS Business Support and initiating a “System Impaired” live chat forces immediate manual approval, preventing downtime.