USPS Mailing Permits Guide
Everything you need to know about mailing permits for business mail, EDDM, and non-profit postage.
What Is a USPS Mailing Permit?
A USPS mailing permit authorizes you to send bulk mail at discounted commercial rates. Instead of affixing individual stamps, permit holders use a printed indicia (a marking on the mailpiece) or a meter strip as proof of postage payment. This is the foundation of cost-effective direct mail for businesses, non-profits, and political organizations.
Types of Mailing Permits
Presort / Bulk Mail Permit (Permit Imprint)
The most common permit for regular business mailings. You pay an annual fee to the USPS and deposit postage into your permit account. The permit number is printed directly on your mailpiece as the indicia — no stamps or meter needed.
Annual fee: Approximately $275 (Mailing Fee) + $275 (Annual Presort Fee) = $550/year. Fees may change — check with USPS or contact us for current pricing.
EDDM Retail (No Permit Required)
Every Door Direct Mail — Retail (EDDM Retail) requires no mailing permit. You pay postage at the post office or online through the USPS Business Mail Entry tool. This makes EDDM the easiest entry point for businesses new to direct mail.
Postage rate: Flat rate per piece (currently $0.247 per piece for flats). No annual fees, no permit required. Maximum 5,000 pieces per day per ZIP code.
EDDM with Bulk Mail Entry (BMEU)
For larger EDDM campaigns, a bulk mail permit with BMEU entry removes the 5,000 piece per day limit and can offer slightly lower rates. This is what Cornerstone uses for client EDDM campaigns.
Requires: Active mailing permit. Cornerstone can mail under our permit on your behalf — you don't need your own.
Non-Profit Mailing Permit
Qualifying 501(c)(3) organizations can apply for dramatically reduced postage rates — often 40–60% less than commercial rates. Requires USPS authorization through PS Form 3624.
See our full guide: Non-Profit Mailing Guide
What Is an Indicia?
An indicia is the printed marking on a mailpiece that serves as proof of postage. It replaces individual stamps and appears in the upper-right corner of the mailpiece. The indicia includes the permit number, post office of mailing, class of mail, and postage payment method. Cornerstone prints the correct indicia on every piece we produce — formatted to USPS specifications for automated processing.
Do You Need Your Own Permit?
Not necessarily. Cornerstone can mail under our permit on your behalf — this is common for businesses that mail occasionally or are just starting with direct mail. You only need your own permit if you want to maintain your own postage account directly with the USPS, or if you're a non-profit seeking discounted postage rates (the non-profit authorization must be tied to your own permit).
How to Get a Mailing Permit
If you decide you need your own permit, the process involves completing USPS PS Form 3615 (Mailing Permit Application) at your local post office, paying the annual mailing fee and any applicable additional fees, and depositing an initial postage balance into your permit account.
Cornerstone can guide you through the application process or simply handle your mailings under our permit — whichever makes more sense for your volume and budget.
Need Help With Permits?
Not sure which permit type you need — or whether you need one at all? Contact us for a free consultation. We'll review your mailing needs and recommend the most cost-effective approach.
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