Bulk Mail (Standard Mail)

UNL mails over six million pieces of nonprofit bulk mail every year. There are a number of requirements related to nonprofit bulk mailing. While you are still in the planning stage include the Mail List Management, 2-7330, in your mailing arrangements. Mail Services can be of assistance to you to ensure your mailing program is cost effective, efficient and timely. Some important aspects of mailing nonprofit bulk include the following:

1. Permit 46 is a permit to mail classification is determined by the description in the indicia copy block. It is very important that the proper copy be printed on each mailing piece as it explains the type of service you want and the postage rate you are paying (e.g., nonprofit bulk or first-class).
2. If you are mailing fewer than 5,000 pieces, you can either have the indicia printed on the piece OR have Mail Services meter the mailing at the nonprofit bulk rate. If you are mailing over 5,000 pieces, the indicia must be printed. If you have Permit 46 printed on all pieces, the permit must be obliterated on all copies handed out (not mailed). The indicia must be covered up with an adhesive label to mail fewer than 500 copies first-class mail (not a part of a bulk mailing).
3. If you have a bulk mailing prepared by an outside printer (not Printing Services), you must receive clearance from Mailing Services to use the permit indicia as only paperwork signed by Mail Services employees is accepted by USPS.
4. Be certain the material you want to mail nonprofit bulk is your own material and is not being produced or cooperatively sponsored by a for profit organization. If you mail cooperatively with for profit, you have to pay the commercial bulk rate (a higher rate). Mail Services can and will meter mail and bill your department at the commercial rate or the nonprofit rate, which ever is appropriate to the type of material being mailed.
5. If you are planning a joint mailing with another nonprofit organization (e.g., a scholarly organization), that organization must be on file as nonprofit and have paid a mailing fee at the Lincoln Post Office. Otherwise, you must mail at the commercial bulk rate.
6. All bulk mailings (nonprofit or commercial) must have a complete University address on the outside of the mailing piece in the upper left-hand corner. The USPS verifies bulk mailings; failure to list a complete University return address will mean the mailing will be returned to sender for correction and valuable distribution time will be lost.
7. You must do the initial preparation for bulk mailing before sending it to Mailing Services. That preparation includes:
   1. Send a properly formatted diskette of you mail list to Mail Processing, 1100 No 17th Street, or e-mail to bdenovellis1@unl.edu
   2. 200 pieces or 50 pounds of printed or duplicated identical material.
   3. Addresses have a 5-digit ZIP code.
   4. Folded edge of your mail piece on the bottom.
   5. Trim edge of your mail piece (the edge opposite the fold) is tabbed or taped, NO STAPLES.
   If these preparation guidelines are followed, your bulk mailing will be processed by Mail Services and the majority of the postage discount passed along to the department.
8. Twenty-five samples of the exact mail piece are needed to determine weight and packaging according to new USPS classification requirements. Your samples will be returned.