Bulk Mail Services

Last updated April 25, 2012 4:57:42 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 and may result in assessment of USPS penalty charges.

Please note: The Postal Rate Commission and the Board of Governors from the U.S. Postal Service made the decision to increase postal rates for certain types of mail, effective April 17, 2011.

For more detailed information on the new postal rates, please refer to the United States Postal Service web site: http://www.usps.com/prices/pricechanges.htm.

Move Update

The USPS implemented the Move Update process in late 2009 to help reduce mail that is undeliverable as addressed. Effective Jan. 4, 2010, noncompliance will result in a 7-cent-per-piece penalty on mailings.

This process is a requirement for requesting postage discounts on First Class mail and all Standard Mail, including Non-Profit and Presorted Standard. All mailers must provide a form showing that the address list used was matched against the National Change of Address (NCOA) database from the USPS within 95 days prior to the mailing date or use a valid endorsement such as "Address Service Requested," Change Service Requested," or "Return Service Requested."

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:

Nonprofit rate
Regular rate
Pre-cancelled stamps

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 Indicia sample Note: Only the indicia may appear on the upper right-hand corner.
Pre-canceled stamp (when used)	A pre-canceled 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-canceled 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 Sym Capps, (858) 534-9923, 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 Sym Capps, (858) 534-9923, 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 Sym Capps, (858) 534-9923, 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 Sym Capps, (858) 534-9923, for current rates.

Standard pre-canceled stamps: A pre-canceled 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-canceled bulk stamps: In rolls of 3,000 or 10,000 only Contact Sym Capps, (858) 534-9923, 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-canceled stamps are mailings handled in the same manner as Standard Mail and, in place of the bulk-mail indicia, a pre-canceled stamp is used.

For more information, contact Sym Capps, (858) 534-9923.

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