Postal Rate Primer

Letters

	None	NDC	SCF
Machinable3
Mixed AADC	.302	.280	—
AADC	.292	.270	.264
Non-Machinable4
Mixed AADC	.668	.646	—
ADC	.595	.573	.567
3-Digit Presort	.573	.551	.545
5-Digit Presort	.505	.483	.477
Automation3
Mixed AADC	.291	.269	—
AADC	.281	.259	.253
5-Digit Presort	.256	.234	.228
Carrier Route3
Basic1	.294	.269	.262
Saturation2	.190	.170	.165

Flats

	None	NDC	SCF
Non-Automation4
Mixed ADC	.652	.609	—
ADC	.617	.574	.564
3-Digit Presort	.561	.518	.508
5-Digit Presort	.469	.426	.416
Automation4
Mixed ADC	.632	.589	—
ADC	.597	.554	.544
3-Digit Presort	.523	.480	.470
5-Digit Presort	.405	.362	.352
Carrier Route3
Basic	.300	.270	.262
Saturation2, 5	.224	.186	.179
Saturation EDDM5	.225	.187	.180

1. Requires Line-of-Travel sortation
2. Requires Walk Sequence sortation
3. For pieces weighing less than 3.5 oz.
4. For pieces weighing less than 4.0 oz.
5. Surcharge for use of detached address labels = .04/pc
Misc: Customized Market Mail .462
NDC: Network Distribution Center
SCF: Sectional Center Facility

Letters

	None	NDC	SCF
Machinable3
Mixed AADC	.184	.162	—
AADC	.174	.152	.146
Non-Machinable4
Mixed ADC	.550	.528	—
ADC	.470	.455	.449
3-Digit Presort	.455	.433	.427
5-Digit Presort	.387	.365	.359
Automation3
Mixed AADC	.173	.151	—
AADC	.163	.141	.135
5-Digit Presort	.138	.116	.110
Carrier Route3
Basic1	.209	.184	.177
Saturation2	.111	.091	.086

Flats

	None	NDC	SCF
Non-Automation4
Mixed ADC	.478	.435	—
ADC	.443	.400	.390
3-Digit Presort	.387	.344	.334
5-Digit Presort	.295	.252	.242
Automation4
Mixed ADC	.458	.415	—
ADC	.423	.380	.370
3-Digit Presort	.349	.306	.296
5-Digit Presort	.231	.188	.178
Carrier Route3
Basic	.216	.186	.178
Saturation2, 5	.136	.098	.091
Saturation EDDM5	.137	.099	.092

1. Requires Line-of-Travel sortation
2. Requires Walk Sequence sortation
3. For pieces weighing less than 3.5 oz.
4. For pieces weighing less than 4.0 oz.
5. Surcharge for use of detached address labels = .04/pc
Misc: Customized Market Mail .342
NDC: Network Distribution Center
SCF: Sectional Center Facility

Addressing for Automation

How and where addresses are placed on mail pieces is important to efficient mail processing. The template below applies to any letter-size mailer. Any non-address information, such as logos, advertising, etc., should be placed above the delivery address line.

Business Reply Mail

Per Piece (without advance deposit)	0.830
Charge (with advance deposit*)	0.091
Annual BRM Permit	235.00
Annual Accounting Fee	690.00
Address Correction Service Mail piece forwarded, notice provided
Manual Notice	0.61 ea
Electronic Notice
First Class	0.13 ea
Other	0.31 ea
Permit Fees Authorization to use permit imprint (indicia)
Application Fee	235.00
Annual Mailing Fee	235.00

(per class of mail; separate fees required for First Class and Standard mail)
* Requires payment of annual accounting fee + advance deposit postage account.

Mail Standards

	Flats	Letters	Postcards
Minimum Size	6 1⁄8" × 11 1⁄2"	3 1⁄2" × 5 1⁄2"	3 1⁄2" × 5 1⁄2"
Maximum Size	12" × 15"	6 1⁄8" × 11 1⁄2*"	4 1⁄4" × 6"
Minimum Thickness	0.25"	0.009"	0.007"
Maximum Thickness	0.75"	0.25"	0.016"

* Folded Self-Mailer Maximum Size = 6" × 10 ¹⁄₂"

Minimum Presort Mailing Size

1st Class	500 pcs
Standard Mail	200 pcs (or 50 lbs.)

• All Automation Rate Mail must be 100% barcoded with delivery-point barcodes.
• Pieces that are rigid, non-rectangular or not uniformly thick pay a non-machinable surcharge.
• All mail must have an approved address correction process performed within 95 days prior to mailing.

A folded self-mailer is formed of two or more panels created when a single or multiple unbound sheets of paper are folded together and sealed to form a letter-size mailpiece.

Size and Weight

Dimensions

Height	3 1⁄2" to 6" maximum
Length	5" to 10" 1⁄2" maximum
Weight	up to 3 oz

Paper Basis Weight

• 70 lb minimum for 1 oz mailpiece
• 80 lb over 1 oz up to 3 oz

Closure Methods

Glue

Tabs (2 or 3 Based on Mailpiece Design)

• Placed either at top of lead/trail
• Within 1" from adjacent edge(s)
• Lower lead edge tab ¹⁄₂" from bottom

Panel Count

Address side view. Fold edge must be on the bottom.

Flap

Used for closure of mailpiece on non-address side.

• Placed either at top or lead / trail
• Horizontal fold letter, external flap is final fold from top edge
• Vertical fold letter, external flap must be final fold from lead edge
• Die-cut shape external flaps allowed
• Glue line seal along the contour of the edge recommended
• Glue spots / elongated glue lines or tabs must sufficiently seal the flap to the non-address side panel