Presorted First Class Mail

If you've ever received a mail marked "presorted first class", you may have wondered what that means. Is it junk mail? Is it important? And why is it marked as "presorted"? In this article, we'll dive into the world of presorted first class mail and answer all your questions.

What is Presorted First Class Mail?

Presorted first class mail is a type of mail that has been sorted and prepared by the sender according to specific USPS (United States Postal Service) guidelines. This type of mail is typically used by businesses and organizations to send large quantities of mail at a discounted rate.

Presorted first class mail is different from regular first class mail in that it has been sorted and prepared by the sender, rather than being sorted by the USPS. This allows the USPS to process and deliver the mail more efficiently, resulting in a lower cost for the sender.

How is Presorted First Class Mail Sorted?

To qualify as presorted first class mail, the mail must meet certain sorting requirements set by the USPS. These requirements include:

• The mail must be sorted by ZIP code in ascending order.
• The mail must be bundled and labeled according to USPS guidelines.
• The mail must be accompanied by USPS documentation, submitted to the USPS electronically.

By sorting the mail in this way, the USPS is able to process and deliver the mail more efficiently, resulting in a lower cost for the sender.

Is Presorted First Class Mail Junk?

One of the most common questions about presorted first class mail is whether or not it is junk mail. The answer is: it depends.

While some presorted first class mail may be considered junk mail, not all of it is. Many businesses and organizations use presorted first class mail to send important information to their customers or members. For example, a bank may use presorted first class mail to send out monthly statements to their customers, or a non-profit organization may use it to send out newsletters to their members.

However, there are also companies that use presorted first class mail to send out advertisements or promotional materials, which may be considered junk mail by some recipients.

Why is Presorted First Class Mail Marked as "Presorted"?

Presorted first class mail is marked as "presorted" to indicate that it has been sorted and prepared by the sender, rather than by the USPS. This allows the USPS to quickly identify and process the mail, resulting in a lower cost for the sender.

The "presorted" mail may also include an intelligent mail barcode, which contains information about the mail, such as the sender's name and address, the recipient's address, and handling information.

Benefits of Presorted First Class Mail

There are several benefits to using presorted first class mail, both for the sender and the recipient.

Lower Postage Rates

The main benefit of presorted first class mail is the lower postage rates. By sorting and preparing the mail according to USPS guidelines, the sender is able to take advantage of discounted rates, resulting in significant cost savings. For instance, at the beginning of 2024, the cost of a postage stamp for a letter is $0.68. For a 5,000 piece mailing, the postage cost would be $3,400. If that mail is presorted, you'll likely get a presort postage rate of around $0.54 for any mail pieces 3.5 oz or lighter in weight. The postage difference for the same 5,000 pieces is $700. The $0.68 rate is for pieces less than 1 oz in weight. For pieces up to 2 oz, the retail price is $0.92. For pieces up to 3.5 oz, the single-piece rate is $1.40.

Faster Delivery

Because presorted first class mail is sorted and prepared by the sender, it can be processed and delivered more quickly by the USPS. This means that the recipient will receive their mail faster than if it had been sent as regular first class mail.

More Efficient Processing

By sorting the mail according to USPS guidelines, the sender is helping the USPS to process and deliver the mail more efficiently. This not only benefits the sender in terms of lower postage rates, but it also benefits the USPS and the recipient by reducing processing time and improving delivery times.

How to Send Presorted First Class Mail

If you're interested in sending presorted first class mail, there are a few steps you'll need to follow.

Step 1: Obtain a USPS Mailing Permit

In order to send presorted first class mail, you will need to obtain a USPS mailing permit. This permit allows you to use the USPS's presort services and receive discounted postage rates.

You can obtain a mailing permit online, in under 5 minutes. Learn how to obtain a USPS Permit easily. You don't have to pay for this permit until you drop your first mailing off at the bulk mail entry unit of the post office where your permit is held.

Step 2: Sort and Prepare Your Mail

Once you have a mailing permit, you can begin sorting and preparing your mail according to USPS guidelines. This includes sorting the mail by ZIP code and by AADC groups, then bundling and labeling the mail. You don't need to know what AADC grouping is. Presort software like AccuZIP6 does this for you in seconds. Most of your mail, especially if it's letter-size mail, won't need to be bundled.

Step 3: Submit Your Mail to the USPS

Once your mail is sorted and prepared, you can submit it to the USPS for processing and delivery. You'll drop the mail off with an accompanying Confirmation Page, which includes a barcode labeled "Scan At Acceptance", making the drop-off process very easy. To pay for the mail, you either include a check for the postage amount, or the money can be taken out of an Enterprise Payment System (EPS) account, which is a bank account of yours. To setup an EPS account, you would do this online and supply bank account and routing number information.

Examples of Presorted First Class Mail

There are many different types of mail that can be sent as presorted first class mail. Some common examples include:

• Monthly statements from banks or credit card companies
• Newsletters from non-profit organizations
• Promotional materials from businesses
• Invoices from utility companies
• Direct mail advertisements

Conclusion

Presorted first class mail is a type of mail that has been sorted and prepared by the sender according to USPS guidelines using presort software. It offers several benefits, including lower postage rates, faster delivery, and more efficient processing. If you're interested in sending presorted first class mail, be sure to follow the necessary steps and guidelines to ensure a successful mailing.