Assistance Plus understands that working with the US Postal Service postal regulations in reference to direct mail marketing can be confusing. Here are a few of our most frequently asked questions to help you.
Are different types of mail handled differently?
All mail processing classes are treated with the same care and respect by the US Postal Service – regardless of the postage choice.
USPS divides mail into different services, called “classes.” Each class of mail has different features, service levels, postage prices, and presort requirements. For most of your mailings, the content of the material, the speed in which you want your pieces delivered and postage will determine the class of mail best suited for your project.
Is there a difference between Standard (Bulk), First-Class and Nonprofit classifications?
Presorted Standard Mail (Bulk) or USPS Marketing Mail® does not have a guaranteed delivery time, nor is it a priority service and if a mailpiece is not deliverable due to an address change or an invalid address, the piece will not be forwarded to the new address.
Presorted First-Class Mail is delivered within a specific time frame and includes forwarding and return services, but the postage rate is higher than Presorted Standard Mail.
Nonprofit Mail is printed material eligible to be mailed as USPS Marketing Mail® by organizations authorized to mail at significantly reduced nonprofit postage rates.
What’s the difference between Presorted Standard and Nonprofit mail?
Nonprofit organizations enjoy a reduced postage rate. Organizations must be authorized by the postal service to receive Nonprofit rates. To be eligible for Nonprofit rates, the post office requires the organization to qualify and receive an authorization number. Not all Nonprofit organizations are eligible for these reduced rates. The post office considers organizations that are organized and operated for the following primary purposes to be eligible.
- Religious
- Educational
- Scientific
- Philanthropic
- Agricultural
- Labor
- Veterans
- Fraternal
Typically, Nonprofit organizations that are an IRS tax-exempt charitable organization (501(c)(3) or similar) designation are eligible. Organizations are not required to pay for a permit but must have an authorization number to qualify for these postal rates.
For more detailed information visit our Nonprofit USPS Marketing Mail 101: Qualifying for Nonprofit Postal Rates page.
How long does it take for my mail to be delivered via USPS?
Many factors affect the delivery time frame of your mailing – including the mail class (First-Class Presort vs. Standard Presort), destination, and peak season periods for the postal service such as Christmas.
The Presorted First-Class mailing process is the fastest and more costly approach to mailing – generally reaching the destination within 1 to 5 business days.
Standard Presort and Nonprofit mailing typically takes 3 to 15 business days to reach the destination.
Please note, these are for domestic destinations.
What size does the address block need to be to meet the USPS specs?
The recommended space for the address block is a 4″ x 2″ area. The address block must allow space for the mailing address and an Intelligent Mail Barcode that is required by the post office. The barcode is required to receive the reduced rates that are available for automating the mailing address. The barcode is the actual mailing address and is what the post office requires to receive discounted postage rates.
Is an Intelligent Mail Barcode specific to a particular type of mailpiece, like postcards or is it for all types of mail?
No, all discounts with the post office are given because of the barcode. Their machines read the barcode, which is the address.