As of Sept 11, you can no longer mail items at the bound printed matter (mail) rate, unless its mailed using a bulk mail permit. This little change snuck by quite a few people, BPM was the lowest rate you could mail books with and it was abused by quite a few people. I can see why it was changed.
Dont fret, we have a permit! If you are mailing out catalogs, flyers or other items that you used to mail at BPM, we can still mail them for you! We actually might be able to mail them at lower postage rates cheaper than you were mailing at before! Contact us @ Outback Communications and we will get to work on your project!
If you want to read more about what BPM is click HERE. Otherwise, keep reading about the rule change.
SUMMARY:
In this final rule, the Postal Service is revising mailing standards for all Bound Printed Matter (mail) (BPM). In March we filed a notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission for a classification change requiring all mailings of Bound Printed Matter (mail) be paid by permit only. The Commission agreed, and we are moving forward with the change.
Postage payment for BPM mailings: carrier route, presorted, and nonpresorted (single-piece) flats and parcels, regardless of volume, are limited to permit imprint. Mailers can no longer affix postage by adhesive stamps, postage meter, or PC Postage®. BPM will not be accepted at retail counters, in collection boxes, or by carriers and must be deposited and accepted at the Post Office™ facility that issued the permit. Merchandise Return Service (MRS) permit holders may continue to pay nonpresorted BPM prices on eligible items returned with a MRS label.
EFFECTIVE DATE: September 11, 2008.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carol A. Lunkins at 202-268-7262.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Mailers who are presently authorized to pay postage via permit imprint may use their existing permit to mail BPM at the Post Office where the permit is held. Mailers who wish to obtain a new authorization to pay postage via permit imprint must complete an application and pay a one-time application fee at each office of mailing to mail BPM on or after September 11, 2008. Authorization is obtained by submitting PS Form 3615, Mailing Permit Application and Customer Profile, and the applicable fee to the Post Office where mailings are to be deposited. As long as a permit remains active, there is no additional fee for use of a permit imprint indicia, but other fees (e.g., an annual destination entry mailing fee) may be due depending on where the mail is deposited.
Payment for postage must be made for each mailing through an advance deposit account before the mailing can be released for processing. Funds to pay postage must be deposited as directed by the USPS®.
Tags: bound printed matter, BPM, direct mail