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 (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 (243.6.0)
Mailings of 200 or more addressed pieces (or 50 pounds of addressed pieces), sorted and marked as described below. Pieces must be part of a group of 10 or more to one carrier route, prepared in line-of-travel or walk-sequence order, as required. All pieces must meet the physical standards for enhanced carrier route flats in 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, as appropriate, except as allowed for saturation flats with simplified address under 602.3.0.
Carrier route information must be updated using a CASS-certified process within 120 days before the mailing date.
Detached address labels (DALs) or detached marketing labels (DMLs) may be used with merchandise samples or saturation pieces, for an additional charge.
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. 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.”
- Basic, high-density, and saturation price pieces must also be marked “ECRLOT,” “ECRWSH,” or “ECRWSS,” respectively, in the correct optional endorsement line under 203.7.0 or in correct carrier route information line under 203.8.0 or in the postage area. Pieces in a mailing consisting of bundles claimed at more than one Enhanced Carrier Route price must bear appropriate marking for price claimed. Pieces not claimed at corresponding price must not be included in the mailing and must not bear the “ECRLOT,” “ECRWSH,” or “ECRWSS” marking. For additional marking standards for carrier route pieces, see 203.8.0.
Note: Both markings (e.g., Mktg or STD) are acceptable in the same mailing.
Basic mail must be in line-of-travel (LOT) or in walk sequence (245.9.0).
High-density (WSH) and saturation (WSS) mail must be in walk sequence (245.9.0).
Palletization is preferred (see Quick Service Guide 705b).
Use the standard sack or tray label (245.4.0).
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 (245.9.0) |
Bundle Preparation |
Saturation 1 Bundles: 10 or more addressed pieces to same carrier route (city route, rural route, highway contract route, Post Office box section, or general delivery unit) must be prepared in bundles; fewer than 10 pieces allowed only if route has fewer than 10 delivery stops. Mail must be presented in walk-sequence (243.6.3.1) and meet density standards. Labels: Use optional endorsement line (OEL) with carrier route description prefix and route number (203.7.0). 3 Price: Saturation | High Density 2 Bundles: 10 or more addressed pieces to same carrier route (city route, rural route, highway contract route, Post Office box section, or general delivery unit) must be prepared in bundles. Mail must be presented in walk-sequence (243.6.3.1) and meet density standards. Labels: Use OEL with carrier route description prefix and route number (203.7.0). 3 Price: High Density | Basic Bundles: 10 or more addressed pieces to same carrier route (city route, rural route, highway contract route, Post Office box section, or general delivery unit) must be prepared in bundles. Mail must be presented in line-of-travel or walk-sequence (243.6.3.1). Labels: Use OEL with carrier route description prefix and route number (203.7.0). 3 Price: Basic |
|
Flat Tray and Sack Preparation |
Carrier Route Flat Tray and Sacks (when applicable): Required at a full flat tray, 125 pieces, or 15 pounds. Labels: For Line 1, use city, state and 5–digit ZIP Code of destination. For Line 2, use “STD FLTS”, and “ECRWSS,” “ECRWSH,” or “ECRLOT,” as applicable, followed by route type and number. | 5-Digit Scheme Carrier Routes Flat Trays and Sacks (when applicable): Required, no minimum. Labels: For Line 1, use L001, Column B. For Line 2, use “STD FLTS CR-RTS SCH.” | 5-Digit Carrier Routes Flat Trays and Sacks (when applicable): Required, no minimum. Labels: For Line 1, use city, state, and 5-digit ZIP Code of destination. For Line 2, use “STD FLTS CR-RTS.” |
|
1. Minimum 90% total active residential or 75% total active deliveries per route (100% if simplified address (243.6.7)).
2. Minimum 125 pieces per route unless route has fewer than 125 deliveries.
3. No facing slip or OEL is required if the bundle is placed in a carrier route flat tray or sack. Bundles in 5-digit/scheme carrier routes flat trays and sacks must have a facing slip unless the pieces in the bundle show a carrier route information line or an OEL (245.9.3).
4. Use “ECRWSS” for saturation, “ECRWSH” for high density, and “ECRLOT” for basic.
