Related QSGs
201d, Designing Flats for Automated Processing
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, SCF or delivery unit (DDU) (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 (243.8.0)
Mailings of 200 or more addressed pieces (or 50 pounds of addressed pieces) must be automation compatible (201.6.0), bear an Intelligent Mail barcode (204.1.0), and be sorted and marked as described below. 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 also include a complete delivery address with correct ZIP Code or ZIP+4 code.
For address standards, see 243.8.4; for barcode quality standards, see 204.1.0; and for CASS/MASS standards, see 602.9.0. Addresses must be matched using a CASS/MASS-certified process within 120 days before the mailing date.
All letter-size reply cards and envelopes (Business Reply Mail, Courtesy Reply Mail, and metered reply mail) provided as enclosures must meet the standards in 201.3.17.
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 (245.10.0)
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.
Use of the “AUTO” marking is optional.
Barcoded tray/sack labels are required (245.4.0).
Palletization is preferred (see Quick Service Guide 705d).
Any mailing job that contains comailed bundles of Presorted flats and bundles of automation flats must be prepared using 705.9.0 or 705.11.0.
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, nonpalletized 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 (245.10.4) See “Preparation” for allowed sack usage. |
5-Digit/Scheme 1 Bundles: Scheme bundles required for 5-digit ZIP Codes in L007. Required with 15 or more pieces for mailings containing pieces weighing 5 ounces or less. Required with 10 or more pieces for mailings containing pieces weighing more than 5 ounces. Fewer pieces in a bundle not permitted. 2 Labels: Red Label 5 SCH, Red Label 5, or optional endorsement line (OEL) (203.7.0). Price: 5-Digit | 3-Digit/Scheme 1 Bundles: Scheme bundles required for 3-digit ZIP Codes in L008. Required if 10 or more pieces to the same 3-digit/scheme; fewer than 10 pieces in a bundle not permitted. 2 Labels: Green Label 3 SCH, Green Label 3, or OEL. Price: 3-Digit | ADC Bundles: Required if 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. Price: ADC | Mixed ADC Bundles: Any remaining pieces must be bundled in mixed ADC bundles. Labels: Tan Label X or OEL. Price: Mixed ADC |
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5-Digit/Scheme 3 Flat Trays and Sacks (when applicable): Required at a full flat tray, 125 pieces, or 15 pounds to the same 5-–digit/scheme; smaller quantities not permitted. Barcoded 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 FLTS 5D SCH BC.” For 5-digit flat trays/sacks, use “STD FLTS 5D BC.” | 3-Digit Flat Trays and Sacks (when applicable): Required at a full flat tray, 125 pieces, or 15 pounds of pieces to the same 3-digit ZIP Code; smaller quantities not permitted. Exception: After preparing all required flat trays, prepare a flat tray for any remaining bundles for each 3-digit ZIP Code of SCF serving the Post Office where the mail is verified. Barcoded Labels: For Line 1, use L002, Column A, for destination facility. | ADC Flat Trays: Required at a full flat tray, 125 pieces, or 15 pounds to the same ADC; smaller quantities not permitted. Barcoded Labels: For Line 1, use L004, Column B, for destination facility. | Mixed ADC Flat Trays: Required for any remaining bundles placed in mixed ADC flat trays. Barcoded Labels: For Line 1, use L009, Column B. |
Price is based on the type of bundle regardless of the flat tray/sack in (or the pallet on) which it is placed. |
1. 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. Mailers must prepare all possible 3-digit scheme bundles 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 (203.4.12).
3. Use “STD FLTS 5D SCH BC” on 5-digit scheme flat trays; use “STD FLTS 5D BC” on 5-digit flat trays/sacks.
