MailPro
News for Mailing Professionals

Average number of pieces of mail processed daily: 703 million. Average number of pieces of mail processed daily during the holidays: 1.7 billion.

2008 POLITICAL CAMPAIGN MAILING SEASON continued

FIRST-CLASS MAIL REMINDERS

• There are separate rate categories for postcards, letters, flats (large envelopes) and parcels (packages). See page 5 of the July/August 2007 MailPro at usps.com/mailpro, or page 20 of the RATEFOLD (Notice 123). Ask your Post Office for Notice 3-S, First-Class Mail Shape-Based Pricing Template.
• The maximum letter size is 11-1/2 inches by 6-1/8 inches high by 1/4-inch thick. If a mailpiece exceeds any of the physical dimensions or the maximum weights below, it is classified and priced as a large envelope or flat. 
• The maximum weight for single-piece and automation-rate letters is letters is 3.5 ounces. The maximum weight for nonautomation presort rate letters is 3.3 ounces. 
• Regardless of weight, letters that do not meet aspect ratio standards, or have any other nonmachinable characteristics, are subject to the 17-cent nonmachinable surcharge, in addition to the applicable postage.
• The maximum size for postcards eligible for the card rate is 6 inches long by 4-1/4 inches high by 0.016-inch thick.
• First-Class Mail that cannot be delivered as addressed is forwardable and returnable, as appropriate.

STANDARD MAIL REMINDERS

Standard Mail, including Nonprofit Standard Mail, that cannot be delivered as addressed is disposed of at the delivery office unless the mailpiece has an appropriate ancillary service endorsement, such as “return service requested.” Your Post Office or mail service provider can explain the ancillary service endorsement options available and their associated cost.

• Mailings bearing an ancillary service endorsement must have a complete domestic return address located in the upper left corner of the address side of the mailpiece.
• The maximum letter size is 11-1/2 inches by 6-1/8 inches high by 1/4-inch thick. If a mailpiece exceeds any of the physical dimensions or the maximum weights below, it is classified and priced as a flat, or Not Flat-Machinable, as appropriate. 
• The maximum weight for automation-rate and enhanced carrier route-rate letters is 3.5 ounces. The maximum weight for nonautomation presort-rate letters is 3.3 ounces. 
• Letters that do not meet aspect ratio standards, or have any other nonmachinable characteristics, are subject to the higher nonmachinable letter rates. 
• We no longer provide destination delivery unit  entry rates for Enhanced Carrier Route letters.
• Standard Mail may receive deferred handling.

POLITICAL CAMPAIGN MAILINGS

Any material mailed at First-Class Mail or Standard Mail rates for political campaign purposes by:

• a registered political candidate,
• a campaign committee, or
• a committee of a political party is classified as a “political campaign mailing.” An individual or organization recognized as such by the appropriate government (national, state, local) election control authority is considered to be a registered political candidate or party.

USING TAG 57 WITH POLITICAL CAMPAIGN MAILINGS

Political campaign mailings are identified and documented when deposited at Post Office acceptance units prior to entry into processing and distribution. Using a red Tag 57 aids in the identification of political campaign mailings. First-Class Mail and Standard Mail entered by a registered political candidate, campaign committee or committee of a political party can be identified by using Tag 57, Political Campaign Mailings, on the mailing containers. Use of Tag 57 with eligible campaign mailings is optional.

Mailings made by organizations other than those listed above, even if promoting or endorsing political candidates, referendums and so forth, are not classified as political campaign mailings and cannot use Tag 57.

For mailings prepared in trays and strapped, affix Tag 57 with a wire twist tie to the strap at the end of the tray that bears the tray label. If your Post Office permits letter trays to be tendered without strapping, Tag 57 can be affixed to the tray with a rubber band double-looped through the handhold of the tray at the end that bears the tray label. For flat-size mailings prepared in sacks, affix Tag 57 to the strap or label holder — depending on the type of sack used.