Postal Guidelines

Guidelines ensure better delivery.

Postal Guidelines

The following information is provided by the United States Post Office and is subject to change. Direct Mailing options and costs vary depending on your choice of postage class. Listed below are various items to consider when using mail for direct marketing.

• 500 pieces or more must be mailed to receive discount rates from the USPS.
• First class mail includes cards, letters, flats and parcels.
• The following items must be mailed as first class mail: handwritten or typewritten material; bills, statements
  and invoices; personal correspondence; all items sealed against inspection; first class postage rates are the same no matter how far the mail travels in the U.S.; includes forwarding and return service.

Standard Bulk Mail
In order to mail at bulk rates, 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 Codes).
• Take your mail to the post office where you hold your mailing permit.

There are Minimum Quantities for a Bulk Business Mailing.
To qualify for certain postage discounts, you must mail a minimum number of pieces.

Periodicals
Periodical delivery requires a formal application and a nonrefundable application fee ($395) to become authorized for Periodicals mailing privileges. Talk to your business mail entry staff for advice on becoming a Periodicals mailer.

Package Services
This class of mail is best for merchandise, catalogs and heavier printed material. There are four subclasses of package services; parcel post subclass, bound printed matter, media mail and library mail. Bulk quantities qualify
for postage discounts.