Basic Standards for All Mailing Services

Permit Imprints

February 7, 2011
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Overview (604.5.0)

Mailers may be authorized to mail items without affixing postage when payment is made at the time of mailing from a permit imprint advance deposit account. Each mailpiece sent under this method must bear a permit imprint indicia showing that postage is paid. This payment method may be used for postage and extra services fees for Express Mail (eVS only), Priority Mail, First-Class Mail, Standard Mail, and Package Services. This method is not available for Periodicals or for Express Mail, not mailed using the electronic verification system (eVS) program, and must not be used to pay postage on any mailpiece that is designed for reply purposes (except for permit reply mail under 507.10.0). Permit imprint mailings must contain at least 200 pieces or 50 pounds (604.5.1.2) except nonpresorted Bound Printed Matter, or as allowed in 604.5.1.2, but higher volumes may be required depending on price claimed. These mailings must be presented for weighing unless otherwise authorized by Business Mailer Support (608.8.1).

Fees (604.5.1.4)

A mailer must complete PS Form 3615, Mailing Permit Application and Customer Profile, and pay a one-time application fee at the Post Office where mailings are made. If no permit imprint mailings are made during a 2-year period, the permit is revoked. A separate annual mailing fee may also be due, depending on the class of mail to be prepared.

Indicia Preparation (604.5.3)

Producing permit imprints: embossed or unembossed permit imprint indicia may be made by printing press, hand stamp, lithography, mimeograph, address plate, or similar device. They must not be typewritten or hand-drawn.

Formats: permit imprints for ordinary mail and official mail must be prepared in one of the formats described in 604.5.3.10. A company permit imprint is one in which the exact name of the company or individual holding the permit is shown in the indicia in place of the city, state, and permit number, subject to 604.5.3.9.

Indicia Content (604.5.3.6)

A permit imprint indicia on Express Mail, First-Class Mail, or Priority Mail must show "Express Mail" or "First-Class Mail" or "Priority Mail" (or "Priority"), as applicable; "U.S. Postage Paid"; city and state; and permit number. If the Electronic Verification System (eVS) is used under 705.2.9, the marking "eVS" (or the alternative "e-VS" or "E-VS") must appear directly below the permit number. The "Express Mail" and "Priority Mail" (or "Priority") marking may be omitted when using USPS-provided Express Mail and Priority Mail envelopes and containers. The indicia may show the mailing date, amount of postage paid, or the number of ounces for which postage is paid. The ZIP Code of the permit holder may be shown directly after the state name or in a separate inscription reading "ZIP Code 00000," when that ZIP Code does not create uncertainty about the permit holder's correct address or permit number. Instead of printing the city and state of mailing in the indicia, the mailer may print "Mailed From ZIP Code," followed by the 5-digit ZIP Code assigned to the postmaster of the mailing office. The indicia may also include the required price markings.

Standard Mail, Parcel Post, Bound Printed Matter, Media Mail, and Library Mail permit imprints must contain the same information required for First-Class Mail permit imprints, except that the date and words "First-Class Mail" or "Priority" or "Priority Mail" must be substituted with the applicable class or subclass name. The permit imprint may include the amount of postage paid, the weight of the piece, and price markings as required (604.5.3.7).

Mail Preparation

All pieces in a permit imprint mailing must be of identical weight unless otherwise authorized by Business Mailer Support (608.8.1). Other markings and endorsements may be required by the standards for the price claimed or service requested.

Deposit

Mailings must be deposited and accepted at the Post Office that issued the permit, at a time and place designated by the postmaster, except as otherwise provided for plant-verified drop shipments.

Mail must not be deposited in street collection boxes. Postage statements must be submitted as specified by the standards for the price claimed or service requested.

Express Mail, Priority Mail, and First-Class Mail

Standard Mail

Package Services