The Postal Service is reminding customers that metallic mercury and devices containing metallic mercury are always prohibited in the mail stream. This includes antique items such as thermometers, barometers, blood pressure monitors and similar devices.

240j Quick Service Guide

Commercial - USPS Marketing Mail Marketing Parcels

Physical Standards (201)

Maximum weight: less than 16 ounces.

Maximum dimensions: 12 inches in length; 9 inches in height, and 2 inches in thickness.

For an overview of other physical standards for Marketing parcels, see Quick Service Guide 201e.

Prices and Fees (243.1.0)

For a complete listing 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 SCF (5-digit and SCF), or delivery unit (5-digit only) under 246.

Annual presort mailing fee applies.

Content (243.2.0)

Marketing parcels containing mailable items not required to be sent using First-Class Mail can be sent using USPS Marketing Mail. USPS Marketing Mail Marketing parcels are typically used for advertisements, flyers, and catalogs. Additional content restrictions must be met for authorized nonprofit mailers (703.1.0).

Eligibility Standards (243)

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 parcels 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).

USPS Marketing Mail parcels must bear an Intelligent Mail package barcode (IMpb)) and an Intelligent Mail matrix barcode (IMmb). Mailpieces not meeting this requirement will be assessed the Package Quality Noncompliance Fee (see Notice 123–Price List) as outlined in Publication 199 available on PostalPro at https://postalpro.usps.com.

A certified process must be used at least once a year to ensure accuracy of 5-digit ZIP Codes.

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:

Postage statement:

Regular: PS Form 3602-R.

Nonprofit: PS Form 3602-N.

Supporting documentation: required unless correct price is affixed to each piece or unless each piece is of identical weight and separated by price when presented for acceptance; documentation generated by PAVE-certified software (or printed in standardized format).

Mail Preparation (245)

Markings:

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.

For pallet preparation, see 705.8.0.

Prepared in sacks (unless palletized). Palletization is preferred, see Quick Service Guide 705d.

Enter and Deposit (246)

Mailing entered at an acceptance point designated by USPS.

Preparation

Sacking Sequence for Pieces Less Than 6 Ounces—when entered at Origin (245.11.4)

5-digit/Scheme Sacks: Optional, but required for 5-digit price; 10-pound minimum except at DDU/S&DC entry, which has no minimum. Labels: Line 1, For 5-digit scheme sacks, use L606, Column B. For 5-digit sacks, use city, state, and 5-digit ZIP Code destination on pieces. Line 2: “STD NONSTD 5D SCH” or “STD NONSTD 5D”. Price: 5-digit	SCF Sacks: 10-pound minimum.. Labels: Line 1, use L051. Line 2, use “STD NONSTD SCF.” Price: 3-digit	Mixed Sacks: Required, no minimum. Labels: Line 1: Use “MXD WKG.” Line 2, use “STD NONSTD WKG.” Price: Mixed
For DDU and DSCF price eligibility and preparation see DMM 240.

Sacking Sequence for Pieces 6 Ounces or More—when entered at Origin (245.11.3)

5-digit/Scheme Sacks: optional, but required for 5-digit price. 10-pound minimum except at DDU/S&DC entry.. Labels: Line 1, For 5-digit scheme sacks use L606, Column B. For 5-digit sacks, use city, state, and 5-digit ZIP Code destination on pieces. Line 2, “STD MACH 5D SCH” or “STD MACH 5D”. Price: 5-digit.	Mixed Sacks: Required, no minimum for all remaining mail. Labels: Line 1, “MXD WKG.” Line 2, use “STD MACH WKG.” Price: Mixed.
For DDU and DSCF price eligibility and preparation see DMM 240.