USPS Periodicals Mail, Merchandise Can Be Sent at Parcel Post, BPM Rates

The U.S. Postal Service published a final rule in the Federal Register yesterday that allows publishers to mail sample copies of Periodical publications enclosed or attached with merchandise sent at Parcel Post or Bound Printed Matter rates. The rule took effect Oct. 3.


To determine postage on mail entered under the new standard, postage of the Parcel Post or BPM rates is based on the combined weight of the sample publication and the merchandise or parcel.


The rule does not affect any existing standards, such as circulation requirements for Periodicals rates.


The postal service said the change "provides another venue for promoting Periodicals and Package Services. The new standards benefit customers, printers, advertisers and all affected parties by providing an opportunity for additional subscriptions, thereby creating more revenue and volume."


Melissa Campanelli covers postal news, CRM and database marketing for DM News and DMNews.com. To keep up with the latest developments in these areas, subscribe to our daily and weekly e-mail newsletters by visiting www.dmnews.com/newsletters


Follow us on Twitter @dmnews

Latest Jobs:

More in Direct Mail

Delivered: Fitness Postcards

Delivered: Fitness Postcards

What's in our mailbox this month: fitness postcards from Retro Fitness, American Woman Fitness Centers, Union's United Taekwondo Academy, and Bally Total Fitness. (We're totally pumped.)

Data-Driven Marketing Gets Dramatics Results

Data-Driven Marketing Gets Dramatics Results

Everyman Theatre company incorporated data-driven strategies to optimize its direct mail marketing. Total ROI after one campaign? 552%.

Postal Board Shelves 5-Day Delivery

Postal Board Shelves 5-Day Delivery

Bulk mailers can now feel free to set their summer and fall delivery schedules, but worries fester over a looming rate increase.