Q. When you first apply for Periodicals authorization, does the number of copies distributed or the number printed determine if the circulation is more than 50 percent?

A. It is based on the number of copies circulated. If I printed 100 copies and distributed 70, it would depend on how the 70 copies were distributed. However, I would also need to specify what happened to the other 30 copies. If destroyed, for example, they would not count among the copies distributed.

Q. Must Periodicals be “mailed” or “published” four times a year?

A. To qualify at the Periodicals rates, a publication must be published a minimum of four times a year, not mailed. This is an important distinction.

Q. Are in-county rates based on the location of the known office of publication, or the Post Office of original entry?

A. First, the known office of publication must be within the service area of the original entry Post Office. In-county rates are available for copies entered within the county in which the Post Office of original entry is located, for delivery to addresses within that county.