Online Resources for Mailers

Rates, Zone Charts, and Postage Statements

Domestic Rates and Fees

Domestic rates are available in PDF (read-only), HTML, and in tab-delimited downloadable files.

Site and Selection:
Postal Explorer at http://pe.usps.gov
Domestic Rate Charts [left column]
• “Business/Complete (PDF)”
• “Business/Complete (HTML)”
Domestic Mail


International Rates and Fees

General mailing information and international rates for most international services are available in PDF (read-only) and HTML.

Site and Selection:
Postal Explorer at http://pe.usps.gov
International Mail
• “International Rates and Fees”


Rate Calculators

Interactive domestic and international rate calculators are available for modeling or estimating postage costs. The Business Rate Calculator computes rates for all Periodical mail and includes a printable rate log.

Site and Selection:
Postal Explorer at http://pe.usps.gov
Rate Calculators [left column]
• “Business/Bulk”
• “International Calculator”


Postal Zone Charts

Interactive zone charts are available for computing postage on zone-rated mail such as Priority Mail and Parcel Post

Site and Selection:
Postal Explorer at http://pe.usps.gov
• “Zone Charts” [left column]


Postage Statement Wizard

Wizard automatically computes and prints Periodicals postage statements.

Site and Selection:
Postal Explorer at http://pe.usps.gov
• “Postage Statement Wizard” [left column]

Mailing Standards


Mail Classification and Preparation:

Domestic Mail Manual
International Mail Manual
The Postal Explorer website provides up-to-the-minute domestic and international mailing information. You can access Domestic Mail Manual 200-A, A Guide to Mailing for Businesses and Organizations; Domestic Mail Manual (updated monthly); the International Mail Manual (updated biweekly); Quick Service Guides; zone charts; and many other publications on mailpiece design, addressing standards, and nonprofit eligibility are available.

Site and Selection:
Postal Explorer at http://pe.usps.gov
Domestic Mail
• “Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)”
International Mail
• “International Mail Manual (IMM)”


Customer Support Rulings

Customer Support Rulings clarify the meaning of certain standards in the Domestic Mail Manual.

Site and Selection:
Postal Explorer at http://pe.usps.gov
Domestic Mail
• “Customer Support Rulings”

Addressing Products, Certified Vendors, Polywrap


Address Change Service (ACS)

This site provides information on ACS, a system that meets the needs of business mailers with a cost-effective and efficient means of obtaining accurate change-of-address (COA) information electronically.

Site and Selection:
RIBBS at http://ribbs.usps.gov [left column]
• “Address Change Service”


Computerized Delivery Sequence (CDS)

This site provides information on the CDS File, a 5-digit ZIP Code based electronic product that provides and updates delivery sequence address information by carrier route for qualified mailers.

Site and Selection:
RIBBS at http://ribbs.usps.gov [left column]
• “CDS Qualification”

Labeling Lists

This site provides information and order forms to subscribe to updated electronic versions of the Domestic Mail Manual labeling lists used for the sortation of mail.

Site and Selection:
RIBBS at http://ribbs.usps.gov [left column]
• “Labeling Lists”

Mailpiece Quality Control (MQC)

This site provides information on MQC, a Postal Service certification program for mailpiece design for mailers and their employees. The course incorporates a self-study guide and a final exam.

Site and Selection:
Postal Explorer at http://pe.usps.gov [left column]
• “Mailpiece Design”

Manifest Analysis and Certification (MAC)

This site provides publications on MAC, list of certified MAC vendors, and a list of certified MAC Gold mailers.

Site and Selection:
RIBBS at http://ribbs.usps.gov [left column]
• “MAC”


OneCodeACS

The Intelligent Mail® barcode (formally known as the 4-State Customer Barcode) is the next generation of USPS® barcode technology used to sort and track letters and flats. Intelligent Mail® barcode technology, among other things, combines the capabilities of the POSTNET barcode and the Planet Code® barcode into one unique barcode.

Site and Selection:
Intelligent Mail® Barcode

Polywrap

This site presents a current list of approved polywrap and polywrap manufacturers.

Site and Selection:
RIBBS at http://ribbs.usps.gov [left column]
• “Polywrap Manufacturers”


Presort Accuracy Validation and Evaluation (PAVE)

This site provides information about the PAVE program, publications, and electronic files, as well as PAVE conferences.

Site and Selection:
RIBBS at http://ribbs.usps.gov [left column]
• “PAVE”


Vendor Information

This site provides extensive lists of various types of vendors offering certified products and services for mail preparation including CASS/MASS products, Confirmation services, MAC products, NCOA, and PAVE.

Site and Selection:
RIBBS at http://ribbs.usps.gov [left column]
• “Vendor Information”

Publications


Federal Register

Proposed and final rules published by the Postal Service are posted on the Rapid Information Bulletin Board System (RIBBS).
These documents provide notice of proposed and final changes to mail preparation standards, public meetings, and other official announcements.

Site and Selection:
RIBBS at http://ribbs.usps.gov [left column]
• “Federal Register Notices”


Postal Bulletin

The Postal Bulletin is the official source of updates to Postal Service policies and procedures. This biweekly publication is available online and hardcopy. It includes advance notices of updates, time-sensitive instructions, and other business information.
The Postal Bulletin also includes the text of revisions to the standards in the Domestic Mail Manual and the International Mail Manual. The online version is fully searchable.

Site and Selection:
http://www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/bulletin/pb.htm.


MailPro

MailPro is a free bimonthly publication for mailing professionals. It contains information on current Postal Service programs and services, rates and classification, mailing success stories and industry news.

Site and Selection:
http://about.usps.com/mailpro/welcome.htm

• To request MailPro mail (include current mailing label), fax or e-mail your name, title, company name, complete delivery address and daytime phone number to: 


NATIONAL CUSTOMER SUPPORT CENTER
US POSTAL SERVICE

6060 PRIMACY PKWY, STE 101
MEMPHIS TN 38188-0001
Fax: 901-681-4521
E-mail: mncsc@usps.com


DMM Advisory

DMM® Advisory is an electronic message board to keep those who have a shared connection in mail updated and informed on important issues. Consistency in the treatment of the classes of mail is critical to our joint business success. When the Postal Service needs to communicate a subject of interest, ranging from general to product-specific information, it uses the DMM® Advisory to keep customers informed.

Site and Selection:
To receive the DMM® Advisory, send an e-mail to dmmadvisory@usps.com, and indicate "subscribe" in the subject line.

Postal Facilities and Networks


Business Mail Entry (BME) Offices

These offices can answer questions on rates, mail preparation, mailpiece design, and mail classification. A locator lookup tool provides the address, telephone number, and fax number of each district BME office by ZIP Code.

Site and Selection:
https://ribbs.usps.gov/locators/find-bme.cfm


Pricing and Classification Service Center (PCSC)

This center provides national mailers with guidance and support on mail preparation, mailpiece design, rate eligibility, and issue classification decisions on proposed mailings before being presented at the Business Mail Entry units.

Site and Selection:
http://pe.usps.gov
Go to the left blue navigation bar and click “PCSC”


Post Offices

Post Offices and stations and branches provide various levels of service and customer support. A locator lookup tool provides the address and telephone number of Post Offices and postal facilities near a specific address.

Site and Selection:
http://www.usps.com/ncsc/locators/find-po.html


Network Distribution Center (NDC) - formerly known as Bulk Mail Center (BMC)

The Bulk Mail Center (BMC) network has been re-engineered into a new system of 21 Network Distribution Centers (NDCs). This network consolidates the processing of originating mail into fewer sites to increase operational efficiency, decrease cost and maintain excellent service while expanding the surface transportation reach for more products.

Site and Selection:
http://blue.usps.gov/network_operations/_xls/NDC%20Mgrs%2005-17-10.xls

Facility Access and Shipment Tracking (FAST)

FAST is an electronic appointment scheduling system that replaced Drop Shipment Appointment System (DSAS).

Site and Selection:
http://fast.usps.gov/fast