Bulk Mail Guide to Rates and Requirements

What is Bulk Mail?

The term "bulk mail" refers to multiple pieces of mail prepared for mailing at reduced postage rates. Bulk rates are discounted from "single-piece" rates. "Single-piece" means that you pay the full postage rate; when you stick a 37 cent stamp on a letter, you're paying single-piece rate.

What are Bulk Rates?

The Postal Service offers discounts for bulk mailings because the mailer (you or a direct mail house) do a lot of the work that otherwise would have to be done by the Post Office. Most individuals lack the computer software and machines necessary to achieve maximum postal discounts. Mailing companies like Freedom Mailing can achieve huge savings on postage and save you and/or your organization wasted time spent handling mail. Oftentimes, Freedom Mailing can do all the work while saving you money vs. doing it yourself.

In order to mail at bulk rates, a mailer needs to:

Mail a minimum number of pieces. Usually the minimum is 200 pieces but this depends on what class of mail you are using.
Have a mailing permit and pay annual fees. Freedom Mailing can help you by providing a permit for you to use.
Pay postage by: postage meter, pre-canceled stamps, or permit imprint. As a customer of Freedom Mailing, we provide you with any needed permit imprints.
Make sure the size, shape, and weight, and layout of the print & pictures of your mail piece conform to postal regulations.
Ensure that your addresses are accurate. Freedom Mailing conducts CASS & PAVE certification of every address we mail.
Presort the mailpieces (separate or sort your mail by ZIP Codes). Freedom Mailing will presort the mail pieces and "tray" them according to postal regulations.
Take your mail to the post office where you hold your mailing permit. Freedom Mailing will deliver your mail directly to the appropriate postal office.
To receive maximum savings, you will need to have the addresses printed in barcode. Freedom Mailing can barcode your mail.

Freedom Mailing would be glad to help you determine and plan the best way to mail your message and save money. Click here to contact us.

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