What is Bulk Mail? Is it Right for You?
The term "bulk mail" refers to larger quantities of mail prepared for mailing at reduced postage. In Business Mail 101, the term "bulk mail" means commercial First-Class Mail and advertising mail (called "Standard Mail" by the Postal Service). Commercial prices are available for other classes of mail, too. The Postal Service uses the terms "bulk" and "presorted" interchangeably.
Bulk prices are discounted from "single-piece". "Single-piece" means that you pay the full postage price; when you put a stamp on a letter, you're paying the single-piece postage. Many mailers pay single-piece postage even though they are doing large mailings. Why? Because they don’t want to do any extra preparation work—they don’t have the time, or it’s just not cost effective for their business. Business Mail 101 will help you make smart choices about your own mail to determine if commercial prices are right for you.
What Are Commercial Prices?
The Postal Service offers discounts for bulk mailings because you do some of the work that otherwise would have to be done by the Postal Service (for example, sorting the mail by ZIP Code or transporting the mail to a different postal facility). Everyone benefits from this "work-sharing." Mailers make an investment in time and technology, and the Postal Service’s costs are reduced and you pay less postage.
In order to mail at commercial prices, you need to:
Get a mailing permit (permission to mail) and pay an annual mailing fee.
Pay postage using one of several convenient methods: precanceled stamps, postage meter, or permit imprint.
Make smart choices about the size, shape, and weight of your mailpiece.
Ensure that your addresses are accurate.
Presort the mailpieces (separate or sort your mail by ZIP Code).
Take your mail to the Post Office where you hold your mailing permit.
The choices you make can result in significant postage savings. Click here for a discussion about the postage prices you'll pay.
Minimum Quantities for a Bulk Business Mailing
To qualify for certain postage discounts, you must mail a minimum number of pieces:
500 pieces for First-Class Mail.
200 pieces (or 50 pounds of mail) for Standard Mail.
50 pieces for Parcel Select.
300 pieces for Presorted or Carrier Route Bound Printed Matter.
300 pieces for Library Mail.
300 pieces for Media Mail (formerly called "book rate").
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Current Pricing:
First Class
Letter & Large Postcard - $0.44
Postcard (Small) - $0.28
First Class Commercial/Business:
Letter & Large Postcard - $0.335 (Automation + Zip5)
Postcard (Small) - $0.205 (Automation + Zip5)
Letter & Large Postcard - $0.414 (Presort + Zip5)
Postcard (Small) - $0.245 (Presort + Zip5)
Standard Mail Nonprofit
LETTERS—CARRIER ROUTE & AUTOMATION
No Entry Discount - Saturation - Carrier Route - $0.110
DSCF - Saturation - Carrier Route - $0.067
LETTERS - NONAUTOMATION
No Entry Discount - Machinable - AADC - $0.155
DSCF - Machinable - AADC - $0.112
No Entry Discount - Nonmachinable - 5-Digit - $0.229
DSCF - Nonmachinable - 5-Digit - $0.186
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--Applying for a MAILING permit is different from applying for nonprofit mailing privileges. If you are a nonprofit mailer, first decide how you want to pay postage. Then apply for your mailing permit. Then apply for nonprofit mailing privileges. A postal employee can help you make sure you're taking the right steps in the right order.
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Definitions:
Automation–Compatible Mail - Mail that is prepared according to USPS standards so it can be scanned and processed by automated mail processing equipment such as a barcode sorter.
Presort - The process by which a mailer prepares mail so that it is sorted to the finest extent required by the standards for the price claimed. Generally, presort is performed sequentially, from the lowest (finest) level to the highest level, to those destinations specified by standard and is completed at each level before the next level is prepared. Not all presort levels are applicable to all mailings.
Presorted First-Class Mailing - A nonautomation category for a mailing that consists of at least 500 addressed mailpieces and is sorted and prepared according to USPS standards. This mail does not bear a barcode.
Presorted Mail - A form of mail preparation, required to bypass certain postal operations, in which the mailer groups pieces in a mailing by ZIP Code or by carrier route or carrier walk sequence (or other USPS–recommended separation).
Presorted Prices - A discounted price. In exchange for this lower postage price, mailers must sort their mail into containers based on the ZIP Code destinations on the mail.
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Mail Rate calculator:
http://dbcalc.usps.gov/CalculatorSetPage.aspx
Nonprofit Enhanced Carrier Route Standard Mail allows nonprofit organizations to save even more for bulk mailings weighing less than 16 ounces. All you have to do is sort mailpieces to the individual carrier routes within a 5-digit ZIP Code™.
Standard Mail requires a minimum of 200 pieces or 50 pounds per mailing. It can not be used for sending personal correspondence, handwritten or typewritten letters, or bills and statements of account. Prices are based on weight, shape, preparation, and entry. Automation prices are lower than nonautomation prices.
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http://pe.usps.gov/text/qsg300/Q240b.htm
Applying for a Permit Imprint
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http://pe.usps.com/businessmail101/postage/applyPermit.htm
How to Apply for a Permit Imprint
1). Download a copy of Form 3615, Mailing Permit Application and Customer Profile. Copies are available from your local business mail entry unit or Post Office.
2). Take your completed Form 3615 to your local business mail entry unit or Post Office.
Tip: Most permit imprint numbers are given out through the main post office in your area, which may not be the place where you’ll take your mail. Before heading out, call your local Post Office and ask where you need to take your application. Use the Post Office locator to find phone numbers and addresses.
3). At the post office, submit your Form 3615 and pay the permit imprint application fee ($185). This fee covers the costs of setting up an account in your organization’s name. This is a one-time only fee, and it is separate from the annual mailing fee.
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http://pe.usps.com/businessmail101/postage/permitImprint.htm
Permit Imprint
Permit imprint is the most popular and convenient way to pay for postage, especially for high volume mailings. Instead of using precanceled stamps or a postage meter, the mailer prints postage information in the upper right corner of the mailpiece. This postage block is called an "indicia." Here’s a sample of what a permit imprint indicia looks like. The indicia is printed onto each mailpiece.
To use permit imprint, you set up a postage account (called an "advance deposit account") at the Post Office where you’ll be depositing your mail. When you bring your mailing to the Post Office the total postage is deducted from your account. It’s like having a checking account at the Post Office.
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http://pe.usps.com/businessmail101/postage/precanceled.htm
Precanceled Stamps
Precanceled stamps are special stamps that come in small denominations and are specifically for Presorted First-Class Mail and Standard Mail mailings. Mailers apply these special stamps to envelopes at a lower postage price (say, 10 cents) and pay the difference when they drop off the mail at the Post Office. The business mail entry unit clerk can help you fill out your postage statement to calculate how much you still owe. You can pay that difference with a check, a meter strip, or through a postage account.
Precanceled stamps are available in four denominations:
25 cents for Presorted First-Class Mail only
15 cents for Presorted First-Class Postcards only
10 cents for Regular Standard Mail only
5 cents for Nonprofit Standard Mail only
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http://pe.usps.com/businessmail101/postage/precanceledPermit.htm
How to Apply For a Permit to Use Precanceled Stamps
Get a copy of Form 3615, Mailing Permit Application and Customer Profile. Copies are available from your business mail entry unit or local Post Office.
2. Fill out Form 3615. Check the box that says "Precanceled Stamp Authorization."
3. Turn in the completed Form 3615 at your local business mail entry unit or Post Office. There is no application fee to get a permit to use precanceled stamps. Before heading out, call your local Post Office and ask where you need to take your application. Use the Post Office locator to find phone numbers and addresses. You don’t need to fill out a new form, and there is no fee to amend Form 3615.
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http://pe.usps.com/businessmail101/postage/tipsPrecanceled.htm
Tips for Using Precanceled Stamps
Use these tips to mail successfully with precanceled stamps:
Some mailers believe that envelopes with stamps get noticed and opened before other pieces of mail. You can use that to your advantage by using precanceled stamps to send your promotional messages.
Using precanceled stamps on your mail is an easy way to get started with bulk mail. Many first-time mailers use precanceled stamps.
Precanceled stamps come preprinted with the required rate markings. First-Class Mail precanceled stamps say "PRESORTED FIRST-CLASS." Standard Mail precanceled stamps say "PRSRT STD" or "NONPROFIT ORG."
Postage Statement: When preparing your mail, use the "postage affixed" postage statement (because you’ve already put some postage (but not all of it) on your mailpiece). The postage statement will help you figure out how much postage you still owe when you drop off your mail at the post office.
Your mailpiece MUST have a complete domestic return address, preferably in the upper left corner.
Some mailers establish an advance deposit account to pay the postage they still owe on their precanceled stamp mailings.
Mailpieces bearing precanceled stamps must be brought to the post office where you hold your permit. They CANNOT be dropped in a collection box or given to a carrier.
There are self-adhesive precanceled stamps.
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http://pe.usps.com/businessmail101/misc/nonprofitApplication.htm
How to Apply for Authorization to Mail at Nonprofit Rates
Get a copy of Form 3624, Application to Mail at Nonprofit Standard Mail Rates. The form also is available from your postmaster or local business mail entry unit.
Form 3624, Application to Mail at Nonprofit Standard Mail Rates.
Fill out Form 3624. Lines 1-8 and Lines 10-17 are self-explanatory. For Line 9, check the category (ONLY ONE) under which you are applying.
Required documentation. You must submit some documentation with your application to support your claim for nonprofit rates:
Formative papers—e.g., articles of incorporation, constitution, or charter.
IRS letter of exemption from payment of federal income tax.
Other evidence of nonprofit status—e.g., a financial statement prepared by an independent auditor substantiating organization’s nonprofit status (statement must include balance sheets, notes, etc.).
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http://pe.usps.com/businessmail101/postage/annualMailingFee.htm
Annual Mailing Fee
Regardless of the method of postage payment you chose, if you mail in bulk you must pay an annual mailing fee (sometimes called a "bulk mailing fee"). This fee is separate from any other application fees or account deposits. You can pay via cash or check at the Post Office or BMEU. There is no special form to fill out.
Paying the annual mailing fee gives you permission to mail a certain class of mail from a certain postal facility for 365 days. For instance, you would need two different permits to mail First-Class Mail and Standard Mail bulk mailings from the same office.
You cannot mail in bulk until you pay your annual mailing fee.
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http://pe.usps.com/businessmail101/postage/mailingPermit.htm
Mailing Permit
A mailing permit is permission to use a certain postage payment method for bulk and discounted mailings. Instructions for applying for a mailing permit are included under each method of payment.
There is no fee to apply for a permit to mail with precanceled stamps or a postage meter.
There is a fee to apply for a permit to mail with permit imprint. This one-time only fee pays for setting up your permit imprint account. The permit imprint application fee is due when you turn in your application for a permit imprint.
You must hold a permit and pay an annual mailing fee at every Post Office where you want to enter and pay for your mail.
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http://pe.usps.com/text/qsg300/Q703.htm
Eligibility Overview (703.1.0)
Only qualified political committees, voting registration officials, and organizations that meet specific standards for qualified nonprofit organizations and that have received specific authorization from the USPS may mail eligible matter at the Nonprofit Standard Mail prices. Except for previously accepted mailings being deposited under a plant-verified drop shipment program (705.15.0), nonprofit mailings presented for USPS acceptance must include a properly prepared mailing statement bearing the national authorization number of the approved nonprofit organization. Pieces mailed at the Nonprofit Standard Mail prices must meet the general standards for Standard Mail (243.2.0 for letters, 343.2.0 for flats, 443.2.0 for parcels) and the standards specific to any other discount or price claimed.
Qualified organization: the organization is not organized for profit, and none of its net income inures to the benefit of any private stockholder or individual. Types of organizations that may qualify (703.1.2): religious, educational, scientific, philanthropic, agricultural, labor, veterans, and fraternal. Voting registration officials and national and state political committees may be qualified without regard to their nonprofit status.
Ineligible nonprofit organizations (703.1.4): service, social, and hobby clubs; citizens' and civic improvement associations; state, county, and municipal governments are generally not eligible.
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