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
