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®.

However, there are some lower rates if you look at the entry discounts.  Specifically DSCF and DBMC discounts. (DDU no longer apply, except parcels) DSCF? DBMC? 

• DSCF = Destination Sectional Center Facility Read more HERE
• DBMC = Destination Bulk Mail Center
• DDU = Destination Delivery Unit
• ASF = Auxilliary Service Facility

These are important discounts that are easy to get, but they require even more work on your part. Basically the more automated and closer the mail gets to its destination, the lower your rates. By sorting and barcoding you accomplish the 1st part, easier mail processing. Drop Shipments do the 2nd part, get the mail closer to the destination, so the post office does not have to transport the mail.

There are two ways for you the mailer, to transport the mail closer.

1. You drive it
2. You mail it

In my area 75080, the SCF facility is 15 miles from my office. Not a great distance. Hassle yes. Time consuming yes.  However the pay off on taking a 15,000 letter mailing that all went to the area served by that SCF is .04 per item, and thats $600 in postage saved. 

Thats the hitch, all of the mail that is served by that SCF. So you the mailer has to do an additional sort of your trays to determine what goes to that facility. Its more time and more work, but as you can see might a nice pay off if the quanties are right.

The other option is to mail it. Yes, you mail your mail to the closest destination. In a sense you are paying for postage twice, so it does require some math to make sure you are saving money doing the drop shipment. There are two options for mailing, Priority Mail and Express Mail.  I have found that Express Mail is not cost effective.  There are many rules about Priority Mail drop shipments. You can read more @ the DMM M072, if you are so inclined. Mailing the above example might cost $300 in Priority Mail, so the savings is not as large, but you gain it all back in time. (My opinion)

DBMC discounts are not as good as DSCF, but the BMC does handle mail for a much wider area, so more of your mail can be sent to one location. There are over 150 SCF offices, and only 21 BMCs. There are these things called ASFs, thats the subject of a different post.

There are savings out there, as a mailer you can always figure them out, or you can let us do the work for you. Outback Communications, is a direct mail company that knows how to Drop Ship your mail to lower your cost, and get the mail delivered faster.  Contact us and we will show you how we can help.