Faculty and Staff

Bulk Mail Services

Last updated August 14, 2009 3:49:49 PM PDT
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Learn about bulk mail services available at UCSD Mail Services.

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) calls bulk mail "Standard Mail" and regulates Mail Services' eligibility to mail at either the regular or the much lower nonprofit rate. Failure to comply with postal requirements jeopardizes UCSD's bulk-mailing privileges.

A bulk mailing consists of:

  • 200 or more pieces
  • Pieces identical in size, weight, and content
  • Pieces sorted in ascending ZIP code order

Standard mail

Read about the different classes of Standard Mail offered by Mail Services:

Common regulations governing all classes of Standard Mail:

Standard Mail regulations
Destination Domestic mail only
Size limits All pieces must be rectangular or square in shape, weigh less than 16 ounces, and meet the following dimenision requirements:

Letters
  • Minimum: 3 1/2 x 5 inches, .007 inches thick
  • Maximum: 6 1/2 x 11 1/2 inches, .25 inches thick
Flats
  • Minimum: 6 1/8 x 11 1/2 inches, .25 inches thick
  • Maximum: 12 x 15 inches, .75 inches thick
Postcards
  • Minimum: 3 1/2 x 5 inches, .007 inches thick
  • Maximum: 4 1/4 x 6 inches
Indicia
(when used)		 A bulk-mail indicia must be:
  • Printed or imprinted by a meter on each mail piece
  • Applied on the front side of each piece in the upper right-hand corner, facing right side up


  • Nonprofit bulk-mail indicia
    Indicia sample
Note: Only the indicia may appear on the upper right-hand corner.
Pre-cancelled stamp
(when used)		 A pre-cancelled stamp must be:
  • Applied on the front side of each piece in the upper right-hand corner, facing right side up.
Note: Only the pre-cancelled stamp may appear on the upper right-hand corner.
ZIP codes ZIP codes are required on every address.

Mail pieces must be sorted in ascending ZIP code order.

Mail pieces with incorrect ZIP codes are undeliverable and disposed of by the USPS unless otherwise indicated. Contact Jorge Espinoza, (858) 534-1164, for information about:
  • Return service requested
  • Address service requested
  • Forwarding service requested
Return address Use this return address format:
  • University of California, San Diego
  • Department name
  • 9500 Gilman Dr., Dept. plus Mail Code
  • La Jolla CA  92093 plus Mail Code


  • Sample:
    SOCIOLOGY DEPARTMENT
    9500 GILMAN DR DEPT 0533
    LA JOLLA CA  92093-0533
Inserts All inserts must be identical in size, weight, and texture including paper:
  • Color
  • Shape
  • Thickness
All inserts must identify the material as UCSD-related and UCSD-sponsored, and must bear the UCSD address. Only UCSD may benefit from the mailing.

Material may not be handwritten.

Tips:

  • Before you design and print your mailing material, contact Jorge Espinoza, (858) 534-1164, to assure compliance with postal regulations. Mail Services will review all bulk-mail material and materials that do not meet the standards will not receive the bulk rate.
  • For assistance with your bulk-mail project, see Mail Preparation Services.

Different classes of Standard Mail:

Standard nonprofit rate:
The mail material must directly relate to UCSD's mission and meet the non profit requirements of the IRS and USPS
Advantage The cost of mailing 200-plus pieces of mail is reduced.
Disadvantage The USPS does not consider bulk mail priority mail and it may be delayed up to 5 days.
Preparation Mail pieces must be sorted, bundled, and bagged in ascending ZIP code order.
Postage Contact Jorge Espinoza, (858) 534-1164, for current rates.


Regular Standard rate:
The mail material does not meet nonprofit eligibility. The rates are higher than nonprofit but lower than first class.
Advantage The cost of mailing 200-plus pieces of mail is reduced.
Disadvantage The USPS does not consider bulk mail priority mail and it may be delayed up to 5 days.
Preparation Mail pieces must be sorted, bundled, and bagged in ascending ZIP code order.
Postage Contact Jorge Espinoza, (858) 534-1164, for current rates.

Standard pre-cancelled stamps:
A pre-cancelled stamp is used in place of the bulk-mail indicia.
Advantage The cost of mailing 200-plus pieces of mail is reduced and
postage is a stamp rather than a printed indicia.
Disadvantage The USPS does not consider bulk mail priority mail and it may be delayed up to 5 days.
Preparation Mail pieces must be sorted, bundled, and bagged in ascending ZIP code order.
Postage Purchase pre-cancelled bulk stamps:
  • In rolls of 3,000 or 10,000 only
  • Contact Jorge Espinoza, (858) 534-1164, to order stamps.
Note: Unused stamps may not be returned.

Additional classes of bulk mail:
  • First Class mailings have a minimum of 200 identical pieces but receive no postage discount.
  • First Class Presort mailings have a minimum of 500 identical pieces and receive a discount from the USPS.
  • First Class Presort pre-cancelled stamps are mailings handled in the same manner as Standard Mail and, in place of the bulk-mail indicia, a pre-cancelled stamp is used.
For more information, contact Sandi Hildebrand, (858) 534-9922.

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