424 Postage Payment and Documentation

1.0 Basic Standards for Postage Payment

1.1 Postage Payment Options

1.1.1 Commercial Base and Regional Rate Box Pricing

Priority Mail commercial base and Regional Rate Box postage may be paid with:

a. Click-N-Ship.

b. USPS-approved PC Postage products when registered end-users use a qualifying shipping label.

c. Permit imprint.

d. USPS-approved IBI postage meters that print the IBI with the appropriate price marking (see 402.2.1) and electronically transmit transactional data to the USPS.

e. Permit holders using Merchandise Return Service (MRS) for Priority Mail mailpieces when all MRS requirements are met (505.3.0).

1.1.2 Commercial Plus Pricing

Commercial plus Priority Mail postage may be paid with:

a. USPS-approved PC-Postage products when registered end-users use a qualifying shipping label.

b. Permit imprint.

c. Merchandise Return Service (MRS) when pieces are returned at Priority Mail prices and all MRS requirements are met (505.3.0).

d. USPS-approved IBI postage meters that print the IBI with the appropriate price marking (see 402.2.1) and electronically transmit transactional data daily to USPS for all mailpieces and mail categories.

1.1.3 Commercial Plus Cubic Pricing

Commercial plus cubic prices may be paid with:

a. USPS-approved PC-Postage products when registered end-users use a qualifying shipping label.

b. Permit imprint under 2.0. Mailers also must use the Electronic Verification System (eVS) program or submit an electronic postage statement with a computerized manifest under 705.2.0.

c. MRS when pieces are returned at Priority Mail prices and all MRS requirements are met (505.3.0).

1.2 Affixing Postage—Single-Piece Mailings

In a postage-affixed Priority Mail mailing, the mailer must affix to each piece a value equal to at least the postage required (including any surcharges).

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2.0 Postage Paid With Permit Imprint

2.1 Advance Deposit Account

A mailer may be authorized to mail material without affixing postage when payment is made at the time of mailing from a permit imprint advance deposit account established with the USPS for that purpose. Each mailpiece must have a postal routing barcode (see 708.5.0). Flat-shaped mailpieces may bear a POSTNET or Intelligent Mail barcode (see 708.4.0) instead of the postal routing barcode. This payment method may be used for postage and extra service fees. This method must not be used to pay postage on any mailpiece that is designed for reply purposes.

2.2 Minimum Quantity

Permit imprint mailings must contain at least 200 pieces or 50 pounds submitted under the terms of an approved manifest mailing system agreement with exceptions allowed under a minimum volume reduction provision.

2.3 Postage Statement

A completed postage statement must accompany each mailing paid with a permit imprint.

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