Physical Standards (201)
Maximum weight: less than 16 ounces.
For an overview of the physical standards for commercial flats, see Quick Service Guide 201c.
Prices and Fees (243.1.0)
For a complete list of commercial USPS Marketing Mail prices, see Notice 123–Price List.
Destination discounts apply to mail prepared as prescribed by USPS and addressed for delivery within service area of destination NDC/ASF or SCF (246.2.0).
Annual presort mailing fee applies.
Content (243.2.0)
Flats containing mailable items not required to be sent using First-Class Mail can be sent using USPS Marketing Mail. USPS Marketing Mail is typically used for advertisements, flyers, and catalogs. Additional content restrictions must be met for authorized nonprofit mailers (703.1.0).
Eligibility Standards (243.3.0)
Mailings of 200 or more addressed pieces (or 50 pounds of addressed pieces), sorted and marked as described below. All pieces must meet the physical standards for flats (201). Pieces are eligible if not required to be mailed at First-Class Mail prices or not eligible for Periodicals prices. Nonprofit prices require specific authorization (703.1.0).
Each piece must include a complete delivery address with correct ZIP Code or ZIP+4 code.
A certified process (243.3.8) must be used within 12 months before mailing to ensure accuracy of 5-digit ZIP Codes.
Rigid, nonrectangular, and pieces that are not uniformly thick must be prepared as parcels pieces and pay parcel prices (243.3.2.1).
Mailers can apply Repositionable Notes. See 202.7.0.
Addresses on all pieces must be updated within 95 days before mailing through a USPS-approved address update method (e.g., ACS, NCOALink, or the appropriate ancillary service endorsement (except Forwarding Service Requested) under 507.1.5.3). For an overview of the Move Update standards, see Quick Service Guide 602a.
Postage Payment and Documentation (244)
Precanceled stamp (604.3.0), meter (604.4.0), or permit imprint (604.5.0).
Additional standards apply to mailings of nonidentical-weight pieces.
Documentation:
Mail Preparation (245)
Marking on each piece in the postage area (202.3.0):
- Regular: “Marketing” or “MKTG” or “MKT”, “Standard” or “STD”, “Presorted USPS Marketing” or “PRSRT MKTG” or “PRSRT MKT”, “Presorted Standard” or “PRSRT STD.”
- Nonprofit: “Nonprofit Organization,” “Nonprofit Org.,” or “Nonprofit.”
Note: Both markings (e.g., Mktg or STD) are acceptable in the same mailing.
Palletization is preferred, see Quick Service Guide 705d.
Any mailing job that contains bundles of Presorted flats and bundles of automation flats must be co-trayed or co-sacked (when applicable) as specified in 705.9.3.
Enter and Deposit (246)
Mailing entered at an acceptance point designated by USPS.
Preparation
Carrier route flats, 5-digit scheme carrier route flats, 5-digit carrier route flats, nonpalletized residual 5-digit flats entered at a DDU along with carrier route flats, non palletized carrier route flats entered at the DSCF (origin), nonpalletized 5-digit flats entered at the DSCF (origin), and nonpalletized 3-digit/SCF flats entered at the DSCF (origin) may be prepared in sacks instead of flat trays.
Bundling, Traying, and Sacking Sequence (245.8.0) See “Preparation” for allowed sack usage. |
5-Digit/Scheme 1 Bundles: Scheme bundles required for 5-digit ZIP Codes in L007. Required with 15 pieces or more for mailings containing only pieces weighing 5 ounces or less. Required with 10 or more pieces for mailings containing any pieces weighing more than 5 ounces. Fewer pieces in a bundle not permitted.2 Labels: Red Label 5 or optional endorsement line (OEL). | 3-Digit/Scheme 1 Bundles: Scheme bundles required for 3-digit ZIP Codes in L008. Required with 10 or more pieces to same 3-digit/scheme; fewer than 10 pieces in a bundle not permitted.2 Labels: Green Label 3 or OEL. | ADC Bundles: Required with 10 or more pieces to same ADC (see L004); fewer than 10 pieces in a bundle not permitted.2 Labels: Pink Label A or OEL. | Mixed ADC Bundles: Any remaining pieces must be bundled in mixed ADC bundles. Labels: Tan Label X or OEL. |
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5-Digit/Scheme 3 Flat Trays and Sacks (when applicable): Required when there is a full flat tray, 125 pieces, or 15 pounds to the same 5-digit/scheme; smaller volume not permitted.4 Labels: Line 1: For 5-digit scheme flat trays, use L007, Column B. For 5-digit flat trays/sacks, use city, state, and 5-digit ZIP Code on mail. Line 2: For 5–digit scheme flat trays, use “STD FLT 5D SCH NON BC.” For 5–digit flat trays/sacks, use “STD FLTS 5D NON BC.” Price: 5-Digit | 3-Digit Flat Trays and Sacks (when applicable): Required when there is a full flat tray, 125 pieces, or 15 pounds; smaller volume not permitted.. Optional: After all flat trays or sacks are prepared, mailers may make one less-than-full flat tray/sack for any remaining bundles for each origin 3-digit ZIP Code prefix of the SCF serving the Post Office where the mail is verified. Labels: For Line 1, use L002, Column A, for destination facility. Price: 3-Digit or ADC 5 | ADC Flat Trays: Required when there is a full flat tray, 125 pieces, or 15 pounds; smaller volume not permitted. Labels: For Line 1, use L004, Column B for destination facility. Price: ADC | Mixed ADC Flat Trays: Any remaining bundles placed in mixed ADC flat trays. Labels: For Line 1, use L009, Column B. Price: Mixed ADC |
Prices are based on the flat tray or sack level. |
1. Pieces meeting the automation-compatibility standards in 201.6.0 must be prepared in 5-digit scheme and 3-digit scheme bundles. Mailers must prepare all possible 5-digit scheme bundles and 5-digit scheme flat trays before preparing 5-digit bundles and 5-digit flat trays/sacks. All possible 3-digit scheme bundles must be prepared before preparing 3-digit bundles and 3-digit flat trays/sacks.
2. Bundles may contain less than the 10 or 15 piece minimums when there are at least the minimum number of pieces to a destination and the bundle size would exceed the maximum size (601.2.0).
3. For 5-digit scheme flat trays, use “STD FLT 5D SCH NON BC,” for 5-digit flat trays/sacks, use “STD FLTS 5D NON BC.”
4. For nonidentical-weight pieces, see 245.8.5b.
5. ADC price for any 3-digit flat tray for origin SCF not meeting the minimum volume.
