Standard (Bulk) Mail - Nonprofit and Regular

Standard (Bulk) Mail
Standard Mail is printed matter which does not require First-Class or fast delivery service, weighs less than 1 pound (16 ounces), is made of printed pieces identical in content, size, and weight, and meets U.S. Postal Service requirements to be mailed at reduced rates.

It can be classed as Nonprofit or Regular. Nonprofit rates are lower than Regular Standard Mail and have strict U.S. Postal Service content and design requirements.

How to Start the Standard (Bulk) Mail Process

• Contact Mail Services, 893-3595, in the earliest stages of planning for a proposed Standard (bulk) mailing to ensure the mailing will qualify for discounted rates.
• Send a sample of your entire mailing to Mail Services to be reviewed for compliance with Post Office regulations for Standard (Bulk) Mail.
• A completed Bulk Mailing / Postal Control form must be sent to Mail Services with all Standard (Bulk) Mailings.
• If using an outside vendor, a mailing house to complete your Standard (Bulk) Mailing, Mail Services can coordinate with them for you, or your department can contract directly. We can provide names and contact information for you.

To qualify for Standard Mail (bulk) rates, mailings must:

• Consist of a minimum of 200 addressed pieces (or 50 pounds).
• Be prepared according to U.S. Postal Service guidelines.
• Be made of printed pieces identical in content, size, and weight.
• Weigh less than 1 pound (each piece).
• Contain only domestic addresses, certified as deliverable.
• Be printed with permit imprint indicia in the upper right corner of envelope or self-mailer.
• Be sorted and bundled in Zip code order according to strict U.S. Postal Services guidelines.
• Nonprofit mailings have additional content and design requirements.*

  *Content restrictions: Advertising for credit cards, insurance and travel is prohibited under all circumstances. Other advertising must be "substantially related" to the mission of the University (note: this requirement can be difficult to interpret; please contact Mail Services for assistance if you have questions).

Nonprofit and Regular Standard Mail Permits
Mail Services maintains the UCSB Nonprofit Standard Mail Permit that may be used by any UCSB department for mailings if U.S. Postal Service content and design requirements are met. Since the postage rate for Nonprofit Standard Mail is substantially reduced, requirements to qualify for the rate are extensive and rules are strictly enforced by Mail Services and the U.S. Postal Service. Nonprofit requirements can be viewed http://pe.usps.gov/text/qsg/q670.htm

A Regular Standard Mail permit is used for mail not eligible for the Nonprofit rate. It will be charged at the commercial rates. The general requirements for Regular Standard Mail are the same as Nonprofit Standard Mail, however, there are fewer restrictions on mail piece content.

Mail Services must authorize use of UCSB's Standard Mail permits when using a vendor. Authorization can be secured by using Bulk Mailing / Postal Control form . Mail Services will issue a Postal Control number to the vendor. The Post Office will refuse a mailing if delivered without a Postal Control Number issued by Mail Services.

Vendors - Mailing Houses
You may have all your Standard (Bulk) mailings prepared by an outside vendor, a mailing house. The mailing house sorts the mailing in special zipcode order, prepares required paperwork, and delivers to the Post Office as well as other preparation services. Mail Services can coordinate with the mailing house for your department or you can contract directly.

If you deal directly with a mailing house, your mail piece still needs to be reviewed by Mail Services for compliance with U.S. Postal Service's regulations for Standard Nonprofit or Standard Regular Mail. Mail Services is required to keep a sample of all permit mailings. Send a complete sample of your mailing to Mail Services, Mail Code 8617.

A Postal Control Number is required for all Vendor Standard (Bulk) Mailings. This number authorizes the vendor and U.S. Post Office to use UCSB's Standard Permit Account. Submit a completed Postal Control Form to Mail Services. Mail Services will contact the vendor and provide them with the Postal Control Number assigned to your mailing project. Mail Services will return a copy of this form for your records.

Permit Imprint Indicia Formats for Standard Mail
All Standard (Bulk) Mail needs to have a Permit Imprint Indicia printed in the upper right-hand corner of the mailing piece. The indicia shows the U.S. Postal Service that appropriate postage is prepaid for the mailing piece.

Mail Services needs to review and authorize use of UCSB's Nonprofit and Regular Standard Mail permits. Please contact Mail Services, 893-3595, when you are planning your mailing.

• To View Permit Imprint Indicia Formats: click here (pdf file)

Postage Rates for Nonprofit and Regular Standard (Bulk) Mail
Nonprofit and regular standard mail have two types of postage rates, automation and presorted, both sorted by Zip Codes.

Automation Postage Rates
Discounted postage rates are available for automation-compatible mail if it meets specific standards so it can be scanned and processed by automated mail processing equipment at the Post Office. The automation standards involve size, shape, materials, readability, and correct barcoding. Mail Services does not provide automation-compatible services. Contact a vendor, mailing house.

Designing for Automation-Compatible Mail

• Readable by automation equipment.
• If mail piece is a folded self-mailer, open edge must be on top, folded edge on bottom.
• Folded mail pieces must have a special tab or seal closure.
• All mail pieces must be barcoded.
• Addresses need to be certified (mail houses perform verification and correction)
• Mail piece must meet size and weight standards: Letter size: 5" - 11.5" length; 3.5" - 6-1/8" height

Costs for Standard (Bulk) Mail - Nonprofit and Regular
The cost for a qualified Standard Nonprofit or Standard Regular mailing is based on:

• Postage Rates - nonprofit or regular
• Design (if automation compatible, postage rates can be lower)
• Vendor / Mailing house production costs

The final cost depends on how the mailing piece is designed and prepared, how many pieces are being mailed to the same 3-digit or 5-digit zip codes, and what services the mailing house provides (mail house required for minimum preparation on all Standard (Bulk ) Mail).

If your mailing piece follows U. S. Postal Service design standards for automation rates, you may realize a substantial savings on postage. The standards include how the piece is folded, it's size and weight, how the mailing addresses are prepared and applied to the piece, and other considerations.

Mail addressed to the same 3-digit or 5-digit zip codes is presorted by the mail house and receives lower postage rates.

You can calculate your postage using U.S. Postal Service 'Calculate Business Postage' section and clicking on 'STD Mail'.

Billing Procedures for Standard (Bulk) Mail
The department can contract directly with a mail house, if desired. In this case, payment for mail house services is the responsibility of the department - single or blanket purchase order, credit card, or other acceptable means of payment. Postage will be recharged to the department by Mail Services using your LVPA (Low Value Purchase Authorization) number.

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