Using a Mail Merge to Print Barcodes
Getting Started with Postal Bulk Mail
Preparing and Submitting Your Mailing
Is it a Postcard, Letter, Flat or Parcel?
Intelligent Mail Barcoding (IMB)
"Move Update" (NCOA) Requirement
CASS Certification
Marketing Mail(Bulk Mail)
Presorted First Class
Periodical Class
Bound Printed Matter
Bulk Rate Parcels
Using a Mail Merge to Print Barcodes (w/video)
Can Bulk Mail be Personalized?
If you're mailing the same light weight parcel to many different recipients, you can save hundreds or thousands of dollars in shipping costs by using one of USPS' services for shipping light weight bulk parcels.
That's because while other carriers typically price by the pound, USPS offers four different parcel categories priced by the ounce, so you don't pay for more than you are actually shipping. And, even if your package weighs almost a pound, these rates are still typically cheaper than other services' one-pound rates.
Here's what this page covers:
What are the postage rates?
What are the different services?
What software do I need?
The main requirements to earn these low rates are simple: your labels need to be in a USPS-specified format with USPS-approved tracking barcodes, and you must upload a special "Shipping Services File" (SSF) to USPS before delivering your shipment to the post office.
The SSF contains the address, tracking code and other information about your parcels, so that USPS doesn't have to enter that information manually. That way, you'll be able to get electronic tracking information for each parcel on the USPS web site. Tracking is free for most bulk parcel services.
Our Postage $aver for Parcels software automatically creates labels in the correct format, and creates and submits the SSF file via secure transmission directly to USPS.
In addition to the categories of light weight parcels shown on this page, there are also bulk rates for Bound Printed Matter, which can weigh up to 15 pounds. Please see our Bound Printed Matter page for information and postage rates.
That's because while other carriers typically price by the pound, USPS offers four different parcel categories priced by the ounce, so you don't pay for more than you are actually shipping. And, even if your package weighs almost a pound, these rates are still typically cheaper than other services' one-pound rates.
Here's what this page covers:What are the postage rates?What are the different services?What software do I need?The main requirements to earn these low rates are simple: your labels need to be in a USPS-specified format with USPS-approved tracking barcodes, and you must upload a special "Shipping Services File" (SSF) to USPS before delivering your shipment to the post office.
The SSF contains the address, tracking code and other information about your parcels, so that USPS doesn't have to enter that information manually. That way, you'll be able to get electronic tracking information for each parcel on the USPS web site. Tracking is free for most bulk parcel services.
Our Postage $aver for Parcels software automatically creates labels in the correct format, and creates and submits the SSF file via secure transmission directly to USPS.
In addition to the categories of light weight parcels shown on this page, there are also bulk rates for Bound Printed Matter, which can weigh up to 15 pounds. Please see our Bound Printed Matter page for information and postage rates.
USPS offers several different light weight bulk parcel services, with different requirements and different levels of service. This parcel rate calculator figures out which services are available for your particular parcel, and shows you the rates for each available service.
If you need the fastest delivery, or if you need to use certified or registered mail services, then First Class Package Services is the only way to go. Otherwise, one of the other options may cost less.
Rates updated for USPS changes effective January 27, 2019.
(For Bound Printed Matter parcels, please see our Bound Printed Matter page.)
Make the selections below to find the rates available for your parcels, then scroll down to learn about each applicable service.
Mailer is:
commercial nonprofit
Parcel Shape:
rectangular box
other (tubes, triangles, etc.)
Weight in ounces (must be less than 16):
Mailed At: What are these?
If you need the fastest delivery, or if you need to use certified or registered mail services, then First Class Package Services is the only way to go. Otherwise, one of the other options may cost less.
Bulk Parcel Postage Rate Calculator
Rates updated for USPS changes effective January 27, 2019.
(For Bound Printed Matter parcels, please see our Bound Printed Matter page.)
Make the selections below to find the rates available for your parcels, then scroll down to learn about each applicable service.
Mailer is:
commercial nonprofit
Parcel Shape:
rectangular box
other (tubes, triangles, etc.)
Weight in ounces (must be less than 16):
Mailed At: What are these?
What's the difference between the various USPS bulk light weight parcel services?
USPS offers four different categories of service for bulk light weight parcels. If you have entered information about your parcels in the rate calculator above, then only the applicable categories are shown below. Otherwise, all four are shown. Show all four categories.
First Class Package Services
You should always start by looking at First Class. Since USPS restructured its parcel rates in January, 2016, First Class is often the best service and also the lowest rate, with the simplest preparation. Sometimes, however, other options will cost less, so use the rate calculator above to find the best pricing for your parcel. First Class Package Services give you:
Parcel Select Lightweight
This is the economy service for commercial mailers (any mailer that is not a nonprofit mailer), though sometimes it is more expensive than the faster First Class service, depending on the weight and shape of your package. Parcel Select Lightweight gives you:
Marketing Mail Nonprofit Parcels
This is an economy service for nonprofit mailers. Postage rates are lower than rates for First Class Package Service. Marketing Mail Nonprofit Parcels gives you:
Marketing Mail Marketing Parcels
This is an economy service for mailing product samples and similar materials. Marketing parcels must be addressed with "OR CURRENT RESIDENT" or similar marking so that they are not forwarded nor returned to the mailer if they are undeliverable as addressed. Rates are generally lower than other categories but not always, so use the rate calculator above to find the best rate. Marketing Mail Marketing Parcels gives you:
First Class Package ServicesYou should always start by looking at First Class. Since USPS restructured its parcel rates in January, 2016, First Class is often the best service and also the lowest rate, with the simplest preparation. Sometimes, however, other options will cost less, so use the rate calculator above to find the best pricing for your parcel. First Class Package Services give you:
- The fastest service.
- Sometimes the lowest rate, but sometimes more expensive than other options.
- Tracking included at no extra charge.
- Optional services including insurance, registered and certified mail, signature confirmation, restricted delivery.
- 50-piece minimum if you use a postal permit and indicia (a "postage paid" box on the label. No minimum quantity, if you pay for postage with a postage meter.
- No sorting requirement! Any piece can go in any sack!
Parcel Select LightweightThis is the economy service for commercial mailers (any mailer that is not a nonprofit mailer), though sometimes it is more expensive than the faster First Class service, depending on the weight and shape of your package. Parcel Select Lightweight gives you:
- Sometimes the lowest rate.
- Tracking included at no extra charge.
- Optional services including insurance, signature confirmation, restricted delivery.
- Minimum quantity of 200 pieces or 50 pounds, whichever is less.
- Sorting required.
Marketing Mail Nonprofit ParcelsThis is an economy service for nonprofit mailers. Postage rates are lower than rates for First Class Package Service. Marketing Mail Nonprofit Parcels gives you:
- Always a lower rate than First Class.
- Tracking optional for 40¢ extra.
- Optional services including insurance, signature confirmation, restricted delivery.
- Minimum quantity of 200 pieces or 50 pounds, whichever is less.
- Sorting required.
Marketing Mail Marketing ParcelsThis is an economy service for mailing product samples and similar materials. Marketing parcels must be addressed with "OR CURRENT RESIDENT" or similar marking so that they are not forwarded nor returned to the mailer if they are undeliverable as addressed. Rates are generally lower than other categories but not always, so use the rate calculator above to find the best rate. Marketing Mail Marketing Parcels gives you:
- Often the lowest rate.
- Tracking optional for 40¢ extra.
- No optional services other than tracking.
- Minimum quantity of 200 pieces or 50 pounds, whichever is less.
- Sorting required.
What software do I need to prepare USPS bulk parcels?
Our Postage $aver for Parcels software is everything you need to prepare your bulk parcel shipments.
Postage $aver for Parcels:
Postage $aver for Parcels:
- Computes postage for each piece automatically;
- Sorts your mailing list as required for sorted sacking;
- Prints the required barcoded sack tags;
- Prints a set of customized sacking instructions for each shipment (except for First Class where there are no specific sacking requirements);
- Prints the USPS postage statement and price qualification report;
- Prints USPS-format barcoded shipping labels, in sorted order where applicable;
- Creates the USPS Shipping Services File and uploads it to USPS.
