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USPS Direct Mail Guide

Independent guide. Not affiliated with or endorsed by USPS.

USPS bulk mail

"Bulk mail" isn't an official USPS class. It's the everyday name for mail sent in quantity at commercial prices, either as USPS Marketing Mail or as presorted First-Class Mail.

Checked 2026-11-07

The two bulk classes

USPS Marketing MailFirst-Class Mail presort
Minimum200 pieces or 50 lb500 pieces
Use it forAdvertisingAnything, including bills and personal content
SpeedNo delivery guaranteeFaster
Letter prices from$0.255$0.621

Why it's cheaper

USPS charges by how much work is left for it to do:

  1. Sorting. Mail bundled by 5-digit ZIP Code is cheaper than mixed mail, and mail in carrier route order is cheapest.
  2. Barcodes. Automation prices need an Intelligent Mail barcode and a machinable piece.
  3. Entry point. Mail dropped at a regional plant (DSCF) or the local delivery unit (DDU) costs less than mail entered at your local office.

The steps

  1. 01Permit and fees
  2. 02Prepare the list
  3. 03Presort
  4. 04Print and address
  5. 05Postage statement
  6. 06Enter the mail
  1. Get a permit and pay the fees. A permit imprint account, the $390 annual mailing fee for your class and the $390 permit application fee.
  2. Prepare the list. Clean addresses and remove duplicates. Commercial prices also have address-quality rules.
  3. Presort. Sort the mail into the bundles and trays the price requires. Mail houses use presort software for this.
  4. Print and address. The permit imprint indicia goes top right.
  5. Complete the postage statement and fund your account.
  6. Enter the mail at the Business Mail Entry Unit where your permit is held, or drop it further along for entry discounts.
What is the minimum for USPS bulk mail?

200 pieces or 50 pounds for Marketing Mail, and 500 pieces for presorted First-Class Mail.

Do I need a permit for bulk mail?

Usually. Most bulk mailers pay through a permit imprint. Meters and precanceled stamps are other options.

Where do I drop off bulk mail?

At the Business Mail Entry Unit or Post Office that holds your permit, unless you're dropping further along the network for entry discounts.