Postal Information Resources

Trying to wade through the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) to find pertinent information can be a daunting task, and even when you locate the appropriate information, it can sometimes be difficult to understand. Luckily, the United States Postal Service (USPS) also offers Quick Service Guides, which offer a quick, easy view of the more detailed DMM regulations. This is just one of many handy resources that are available to help make your mailing life easier.

Eligibility guides 

How do you decide whether to mail something at First-Class Mail or Standard Mail? Well, you could flip a coin, but it would probably be more effective to take a look at the Determining Standard Mail Eligibility guide from the USPS. It includes a decision tree as well as references to pertinent Customer Support Rulings. Speaking of which, mailers can review these past rulings that have been made by the USPS in situations where the regulations may contain some gray areas. What about if you are mailing at Standard Mail Nonprofit rates, how do you insure your mailpieces are eligible? Consult Publication 417-Nonprofit Standard Mail Eligibility.

Pricing guides for Mailers

The USPS provides all sorts of great information regarding the pricing for their various products and services. Mailers can access the complete Price List, or check out the rates in Excel format. The Excel format is particularly beneficial when there is an upcoming rate change, in which case the USPS posts both the current and the proposed new rates on the Postal Explorer web page. Mailers can also review the various postage statements, which are used to submit mailings to the USPS, or use the postage price calculators.

Mail Preparation 

Of course, the DMM is the most complete source of postal regulations, but there are also other guides available to assist mailers with mail preparation questions. How about the Mailpiece Design section of the Postal Explorer web page? It provides helpful tips, templates, and a look-up tool to locate the USPS Mailpiece Design Analyst closest to you in case you need additional assistance. The RIBBS web site has a dedicated landing page for Folded Self-Mailers, including links to reference materials and locators for Business Mail Entry offices and Mailpiece Design Analysts.

USPS Publications 

There are also a host of individual publications offered by the USPS to provide assistance to mailers for anything from Address Change Service to Official Election Mail (how timely is this!?). Mailers can even access past versions of the DMM in cases where you need to see what the old regulations used to be. And, you can keep up to date on new postal changes by checking out the bi-weekly Postal Bulletin.

If all else fails, check out Window Book's Postal Concierge service!

Don't miss out on our educational mailing webinars!
Log on to our webinar registration site to sign up.