WHAT IS BULK BUSINESS MAIL or STANDARD MAIL?

  • Bulk Business Mail or STANDARD MAIL (BBM) is a subclass of Standard Mail (A) (formerly called Third-Class Mail).  Examples of BBM include, but are not limited to, catalogs, circulars, newsletters, printed matter and small parcels weighing les than 16 ounces. Material sent as BBM must be identically printed material and contain a general message aimed at all who receive it, rather than a personal message aimed at a particular individual (such as a bill or statement of account).

  • Each BBM mailing must have a minimum of 200 pieces or 50 pounds of mail.  All pieces in the mailing must belong to the same processing category. For example, all letters all flats or all machinable parcels.  Bulk mail for foreign addresses are not allowed. However, there is a special service called Valuepost for mailers wishing to send bulk materials to Canada, the Postal Business Center for the information.

  • There is an annual bulk mailing fee of $150.00, which must be paid every 12 months at the post office of mailing (select the post most convenient for you to drop your mail). This authorizes payment of postage via  "Precancelled Stamps" or "Postage Meter Machine"  (a special "Bulk Rate" slug is required for your meter machine).Metered mailings need only show the month & year.  How ever, if an actual date is shown, the mailing must be deposited on that date only.

  • There is a one-time $150.00 extra "Permit Imprint" fee for mailers wishing to pre-print their materials with a "PRSRT STD" imprint. This authorizes the mailer to imprint on their mail piece and opens an account to pay for their postage. Mailers must be aware, they cannot let two years lapse without using their imprint or they must pay the imprint fee again. Postage on imprint mailing may be paid prior to or at the time of mailing. All pieces within a permit imprint mailing must be identical in weight.  Permit  imprints must be produced by any process other than handwriting or typewriting. The delivery address or return address on BBM may be handwritten or type.

  • Money deposits are accepted at the customer finance window in the Business Mail Entry Unit (BMEU). You may also make deposits at the Customer Finance Window . Deposits (make checks payable to Postmaster) may be mailed to: ADVANCE DEPOSITS. If your deposit is mailed, please call the BMEU to insure that your account has been credited prior to bringing in your mailing.

  • In order to determine when founds need to be replenished, business mailers are expected to keep accurate records of all deposits and withdrawals from their account. For account activity, balance, fee payment information and questions on a mailing that has been held or refused, please cal the BMEU.

  • Mailing must be presented to the BMEU Office.  All Mailings must accompanied by a postage statement.

  • All pieces must bear a correct five-digit zip code, be sorted, packaged and placed in trays or sacks as appropriate.  Packages must be labeled and have one rubber band around the girth for bundles up to 1 inch thick. Packages between 1 and 4 inches thick, need two rubber bands, one first around the length and then one around the girth.  Four inch thick packages are preferred, and no package may be more than 6 inches thick.

  • If there is a discrepancy in the figures on the bulk mailing or if the mailing is not properly sorted and packaged, the mailing will be held until the mailer can be contacted to determine what adjustments may be necessary. If there are 5% or more errors in the sortation, the mailer will be given the option of reworking the mail or paying the higher single piece rate.

  • For further information on how to obtain a bulk mail permit, questions on bulk mail preparation, or bulk mail classes, call the Business Mail Entry Unit. ...or you may want to bypass all these costs and headaches and have 1stGMC print and/or process your mailers for you.
    Contact us by Click here to e-mail us at contact@wwinternet1.net. ...or call us at(650) 359-3324

  • If you would like information on Mailpiece Design and how to qualify your mail for the lower bar-coded rates in bulk mail, call the "Postal Business Center".
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