USPS® Domestic Requirements Update
What you need to know for 2009
The United States Postal Service® is making several changes to their postal rates and mail
specifications. We have used our printing and mail expertise to sort through all the technical
terminology and updates from the USPS®, and have created a comprehensive update for you.
This document includes the new rates and regulations, and provides answers to many of your
questions. If you need more clarification on any of these updates, or have a specific issue that is
not covered here, please contact your Ivie account team.
Thank you.
USPS® Domestic Requirements Update
What you need to know for 2009
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© 2009 Ivie & Associates, Inc. All rights reserved
Overview of Changes
Rate Increase Effective 5/11/2009
1st Class average increase 5.51%
Standard average increase 5.34%
Flat Addressing Changes Effective 3/29/2009
Address placement in “top half” of the mail piece
Move Update Compliance
All Standard Presort and Presorted First Class mail must meet the 95-day compliance
requirements:
Standard Presort non-compliance penalties will go into effect 1/4/2010
First Class Presort non-compliance penalties are in effect.
Form 6014 is no longer valid for compliance verification
When in doubt, NCOA the data file
New Letter-Sized Booklets Requirements Effective: 11/8/2009
The following standard has been issued for “booklet” type mail pieces: Booklets
consist of bound sheets or pages that are compatible with machinable processing.
USPS® Rates & Revised Guidelines
See pages 3-4
USPS® Domestic Requirements Update
What you need to know for 2009
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© 2009 Ivie & Associates, Inc. All rights reserved
First Class Mail Rates
Effective May 11, 2009
1.0 oz
Postcards or less
Full Rate 0.28
Non Auto PreSort 0.245
Auto Mxd ADC 0.23
Auto ADC 0.22
Auto 3 Digit 0.218
Auto 5 Digit 0.205
Delivery 1-3 business days
Dimension Length Height Thickness
Minimum 5 in. 3.5 in. 0.007 inch
Maximum 6 in. 4.25 in. 0.016 inch
1.0 oz 2.0 oz 3.0 oz or 3.5 oz or
Letters or less or less Less less
Full Rate 0.440 0.61 0.78 0.95
Non Auto PreSort 0.414 0.539 0.664 0.789
Auto Mxd ADC 0.382 0.507 0.632 0.757
Auto ADC 0.360 0.485 0.610 0.735
Auto 3 Digit 0.357 0.482 0.607 0.732
Auto 5 Digit 0.335 0.460 0.585 0.710
Delivery 1-3 business days
Letter Dimension Booklet Dimensions Max weight 3.0 oz
Length Height Thickness Length Height Thickness
Minimum 5 in. 3.5 in. 0.009 inch 5 in. 3.5 in. 0.009 in.
Maximum 11.5 in. 6.0125 in. .25 inch 10.5 in. 6 in. .25 in.
1.0 oz 2.0 oz 3.0 oz or
Flats / Large Envelopes or less or less Less
Non Auto PreSort 0.757 0.927 1.097
Auto Mxd ADC 0.725 0.895 1.065
Auto ADC 0.603 0.773 0.943
Auto 3 Digit 0.542 0.712 0.882
Auto 5 Digit 0.380 0.550 0.720
Delivery 1-3 business days
Dimension Length Height Thickness
Minimum 6 in. 5 in. 0.009 inch
Maximum 15 in. 12 in. .75 inch
Please contact your Ivie associate for a full pricing breakdown.
USPS® Domestic Requirements Update
What you need to know for 2009
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© 2009 Ivie & Associates, Inc. All rights reserved
Standard Mail Regular Rates
Effective May 11, 2009
Letters (3.3 oz or less)
Automation No Discounts BMC Entry SCF Entry
Auto Mxd ADC 0.27 0.236 n/a
Auto ADC 0.253 0.219 0.21
Auto 3 Digit 0.251 0.217 0.208
Auto 5 Digit 0.233 0.199 0.19
Enhanced Carrier
Route No Discounts BMC Entry SCF Entry
Basic 0.262 0.228 .219
High Density 0.193 0.159 .150
Saturation 0.182 0.148 .139
Delivery 2 - 7 business days
Letter Dimension Booklet Dimensions Max weight 3.0 oz
Length Height Thickness Length Height Thickness
Minimum 5 in. 3.5 in. 0.009 inch 5 in. 3.5 in. 0.009 inch
Maximum 11.5 in. 6 1/8 in. .25 inch 10.5 in. 6 in. .25 inch
Flats (3.3 oz or less)
Automation No Discounts BMC Entry SCF Entry
Auto Mxd ADC 0.496 0.462 n/a
Auto ADC 0.486 0.452 0.443
Auto 3 Digit 0.418 0.384 0.375
Auto 5 Digit 0.346 0.312 0.303
Enhanced Carrier
Route No Discounts BMC Entry SCF Entry
Basic 0.262 0.228 0.219
High Density 0.220 0.186 0.177
Saturation 0.194 0.160 0.151
Delivery 2-7 business days
Dimension Length Height Thickness
Minimum 6 in. 5 in. 0.009 inch
Maximum 15 in. 12 in. .25 inch
Please contact your Ivie associate for a full pricing breakdown
USPS® Domestic Requirements Update
What you need to know for 2009
P a g e |4
© 2009 Ivie & Associates, Inc. All rights reserved
Booklets
Booklets consist of bound sheets or pages that are compatible with machinable processing.
Booklets must have a bound edge. Sheets that are fastened with at least two staples in the
manufacturing fold (saddle stitched), perfect bound, pressed-glued, or joined together by another
binding method that produces an end where pages are attached together, are considered booklets.
Booklets are open on three sides before sealing, similar in design to a book. Booklets must be
uniformly thick. Large bound booklets that are folded for mailing qualify for automation and
machinable prices if the final mail piece remains nearly uniform in thickness.
Physical Standards for Booklets
Booklets must be:
Height: not more than 6 in. or less than 3.5 in. high.
Length: not more than 10.5 in. or less than 5 in. long.
Thickness: not more than 0.25 in. or less than 0.009 in. thick.
Weight: not more than 3.0 ounces.
Aspect ratio: within 1.3 to 2.5
Paper: Booklet covers generally must be made with a minimum paper basis weight of 60-
pounds or equivalent. Minimum basis weights are higher for some designs.
Tabs, Tape and Glue
o A minimum of 3 closure applications are required
Maximum placement variance of .25 in. in either direction.
2 located on the leading edge
Within .50 in. of the spine
Within 1 in. of the face
1 located on the trailing edge
Within 1 in. of the face
o Minimum size of 1.50 in. non-perforated tabs is required. Tabs may be made of
opaque paper, translucent paper, vinyl or plastic.
Tabs must be tight against the edge of the mailpiece. A maximum 1/16-in.
overhang is recommended.
o Glue spots may be used instead of tabs and must be placed within .75 in. of the open
edges
o Continuous glue lines may be used as cover-to-cover seals and must be placed along
the entire length of the open edge and end no more than .75 in. from the open ends
USPS® Domestic Requirements Update
What you need to know for 2009
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© 2009 Ivie & Associates, Inc. All rights reserved
Ivie & Associates, Inc. is a full-service retail marketing company that was
established in 1993. We provide project management, print procurement, media,
creative, production, and IT solutions for our Clients.
601 Silveron Blvd. Suite 200 | Flower Mound, TX 75028
Call us at: 972-899-5000
Visit us online: [Link]
“Ivie” and the Ivie circle leaf logo are registered trademarks of Ivie & Associates, Inc.
United States Postal Service and USPS are registered trademarks of the United States Postal Service
