commercial: usps marketing mail order packages
physical standards (201)
maximum weight: less than 16 ounces.
maximum dimensions: 12 inches long; 9 inches tall and 2 inches thick.
For an overview of other physical standards for parcel trading, see the 201e Express Service Guide.
prices and rates (243.1.0)
For a complete list of USPS Business Marketing Mail prices, see Notice 123 Price List.
destination discounts apply to mail prepared as prescribed by usps and addressed for delivery within the destination service area ndc/asf, scf (5 digits and scf) or delivery unit (5 digits only) under 246.
annual mailing fee applies.
content (243.2.0)
Market packages containing mailable items that do not require first class mail may be shipped using USPS Merchant Mail. USPS Marketing mail-order packages are typically used for advertisements, brochures, catalogs, and product samples. additional content restrictions must be adhered to for Authorized Non-Profit Senders (703.1.0).
eligibility standards (243)
Shipments of 200 or more addressed pieces (or 50 pounds of addressed pieces), sorted and marked as described below. all parts must meet the physical standards for packages in (201). parts are eligible if they are not required to be mailed at first class mail prices or are not eligible for serial prices. non-profit pricing requires specific authorization (703.1.0).
Unless prepared in 5-digit/scheme containers, marketing packages must have an intelligent mail package barcode (impb). USPS marketing mail packages prepared in schema/5-digit containers can optionally use an imb instead of an impb (and a mail.dat or mail.xml file will be accepted instead of a shipping service file). (204.2.0).
a certified process must be used at least once a year to ensure the accuracy of 5-digit ZIP codes.
postage payment and documentation (244)
premade stamp (604.3.0), metro (604.4.0) or permit impression (604.5.0).
Additional standards apply to mail shipments of non-identical weight pieces.
documentation:
- postal release:
normal: ps form 3602-r or approved fax.
non-profit organization: ps form 3602-n or approved fax.
mail preparation (245)
trademarks:
- regular: “marketing” or “mktg” or “mkt”, “standard” or “std”, “usps pre-classified marketing” or “prsrt mktg” or “prsrt mkt” , “preclassified standard” or “prsrt std”.
- non-profit: “non-profit organization”, “non-profit organization” or “non-profit profit”.
note: both brands (eg mktg or std) are acceptable in the same submission.
for palletizing, see 705.8.0.
prepared in bags (unless palletized). palletizing is preferred, see quick service guide 705d.
enter and deposit (246)
shipment entered at a designated usps acceptance point.
preparation
bagging sequence for pieces less than 6 ounces—when entered at origin (245.11.4)
ndc of origin
bags: mandatory, no minimum.
tags: for line 1, use l601, column b. for line 2, use “std irreg ndc”.
price: mixed ndc.
ndc mixed
sacks: required, no minimum for all remaining mail.
tags: “mxd” followed by l601, column b information for ndc serving the 3-digit postal code prefix of the incoming post office. for line 2, use “std irreg wkg”.
price: ndc mixed
For ddu, dscf, and dndc eligibility and pricing preparation, see dmm 240.
bagging sequence for pieces of 6 ounces or more, when entered at origin (245.11.3)
ndc of origin
bags: mandatory, no minimum.
tags: for line 1, use l601, column b. for line 2, use “std mach ndc”.
price: mixed ndc.
ndc mixed
bags: required, no minimum for all remaining mail.
tags: for line 1, “mxd” followed by l601, column b information for ndc serving the 3-digit postal code prefix of the incoming post office. for line 2, use “std mach wkg”.
price: mixed ndc.
For ddu, dscf, and dndc eligibility and pricing preparation, see dmm 240.