Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service Domestic Mail Manual > 100 Retail Mail Letters, Cards, Flats, and Parcels > 130Retail MailFirst-Class Mail and First-Class PackageService — Retail > 134 Postage Payment Methods Overview 1.0 Postage Payment Methods for First-Class Mail and First-Class Package Service — Retail Postage for single-piece First-Class Mail and First-Class Package Service — Retail must be paid with affixed postage stamps (604.1.0), postage evidencing system postage (604.4.0), or precanceled stamps (604.3.0). In a postage-affixed single-piece mailing, the mailer must apply enough value in adhesive stamps or meter stamps equal to the postage required (including any surcharges). When two or more individuals or organizations, or a party acting as their agent, mail in one package the bills, statements of account, or other letters of the individuals or organizations, to an addressee in common, First-Class Mail or First-Class Package Service — Retail postage may be paid on the weight of the entire package of aggregated mail. Postage is not required on each individual piece. An individual or organization may mail in one package more than one of the mailer’s own letters and pay First-Class Mail or First-Class Package Service — Retail postage on the weight of the entire package of letters if: - The letters are for persons at the same residence or working for the same organization at the address on the envelope (if the letters relate to the business of such organization); or
- The letters are sent to a party who turns them over to other persons as part of a minor service provided in addition to a substantial and independent sales, service, or other business function that party performs for such persons.
Any agent of a licensing authority may forward completed applications in one envelope to an office of the licensing authority and pay First-Class Mail or First-Class Package Service — Retail postage on the weight of the piece. | |