Understanding Bulk Postage Rates for the USPS

In the digital world, things that were essential only a few years ago are now obsolete. This includes phone books, bank statements, maps, and physical media. Many people would put mail in this category. 

However, more than 96 percent of Americans believe mail is important. receive mail. Since most people still receive mail, the United States Postal Service (USPS) is still a very effective way for businesses to advertise. This is more expensive than digital campaigns though, so you want to get the best rate possible.

Below is a breakdown of bulk postage rates USPS offers for different types of businesses and organizations. Keep reading to find out how to get the lowest shipping costs available for your marketing campaign.  

Advantages of Bulk Postage Rates

There are many advantages to using physical mail to advertise your business, including special offers and coupons. The most obvious one is that it is cheaper.

You may have assumed as much, but a lot of people do not realize how substantial savings can be. On average, you can expect to save between 35 and 65 percent with bulk mailing. 

Bulk mailing is also more straightforward and simplified. Postal standards are complex, especially when sending large quantities. Bulk mailing gives you access to guides and measures that can cut down on errors and delays. 

This can also translate to better efficiency for your business staff. Bulk mailing allows you to prepare an order in your own time, and then send them all at once (versus mailing postcards individually or in groups). 

Finally, bulk mailing is also great for marketing. It is an easy way for businesses to reach a border audience, contact homes that fall through e-marketing cracks, or target specific customer segments. This can help you reach the right audience with little effort. 

Options and Rates for Sending USPS Bulk Mail

There are many different options when sending bulk mail through the Postal Service. These vary based on delivery speed and type of materials, as well as a few other criteria. Here are the main categories to consider. 

Standard Mail

Standard mail is also known as "marketing mail" or "third class mail." To qualify for standard mail, the mailing must meet certain measures. 

One is a presort requirement (see below). This, in general, includes having mail sorted by zip code and labeled according to bulk mail addressing standards.  

Another condition for sending standard bulk mail is that you must be mailing 500 pieces or more. All pieces must also be identical as well.

Standard mail prices vary depending on the type of material you are sending. For postcard mailers between the sizes of 3.5 x 5 inches and 6 1/8 x 11 1/2 inches, the rate will be between 33 and 35.8 cents, respectively. Nonprofit organizations can leverage even lower rates of between 17.3 and 22.86 cents for those two categories.  

First Class Mail

To send bulk mail first class, there are a different set of standards and rates. The main one is that it requires sending 200 pieces of mail or more. Each mailer must also weigh under one ounce. 

While it is more expensive than standard mail, bulk first-class mail still comes with a discount. You can expect to pay about 20 percent less for bulk mailing. 

As with standard mail, first-class mail shipping rates fluctuate based on size. The bulk postage rates USPS sets for small postcards (between 3 1/2 x 5 inches and 4 1/4 x 6 inches) are 35.7 and 39.01 cents, respectively. For jumbo postcards (between 4 1/4 x 6 inches and 6 1/8 x 11 1/2 inches) the first-class rate increases to between 50.7 and 57.1 cents.

Standard vs. First Class Mail 

Standard mail is cheaper than any other type of USPS mail. It also allows for additional shipping weight, a provision that is lacking with first-class mail. You can ship standard mail up to 3.3 ounces, whereas first-class mail must be under one ounce. 

There are also a few drawbacks to standard mail as well. The main one is that it will likely take longer to get to the destination, and there is no confirmation. USPS will not forward or return it, should it be undeliverable. 

For local deliveries, you can expect standard mail to be delivered a day or two later than with priority mail. National mail can take much longer--up to a week or more. 

That is because standard mail is processed on a "time available" basis, which means it is contingent on how much priority mail there is to take precedence over it. Due to this limitation, any time-sensitive materials should be sent using first-class mail. 

The main advantage of first-class mail is that it gets priority processing. It essentially "skips the line" in front of other mail coming in.  

For this reason, it can be delivered much faster. You can expect it to arrive within one to two days locally, and between three and five days almost anywhere in the country. USPS will guarantee a delivery window for you when the mailing goes out.  

Basic vs. Automated Presort

When it comes to presort mail, there are two levels of discounts you can leverage. Presort automation gets you the lowest rate possible. 

As the name suggests, it involves sorting mail through automated processes, such as those using barcode equipment. It also must have accurate address formatting and adhere to other USPS automation guidelines. 

Basic presorted mail is non-automated but goes through a simple sorting process. It still gets you a discounted rate but not as much as mailings using presort automation. In general, it is suitable for smaller mailings.   

Find the Best Bulk Postage Rates USPS Has to Offer

Now that you understand how bulk postage rates USPS provides work, you can more accurately budget for your marketing campaign. A professional mailing company can further advise you on the advantages of each tier and type, and help you determine which is best for your mass mailing needs. 

Taradel is an all-in-one marketing platform that serves more than 20,000 business users. We match direct mail promotional fliers with social media and other digital ads, and can help you target the right customers based on neighborhood or other custom criteria.

Reach out to us today to learn more about business shipping options for mail or other products.