Quick Service Guide 604d
Basic Standards for All Mailing Services
Permit Imprints

January 2006
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Overview (604.5)

Mailers may be authorized to mail without affixing postage if payment is made at the time of mailing from permit imprint advance deposit account. This payment method may be used to pay special service fees as well as postage. Each mailpiece sent under this method must bear a permit imprint indicia showing that postage is paid. Permit imprint mailings must contain at least 200 pieces or 50 pounds (604.6), but higher volumes may be required for mail at some rates. These mailings must be presented for weighing unless otherwise authorized by Business Mailer Support (608.8.1).

Fees (604.5.1.4)

A mailer must complete Form 3615, Mailing Permit Application and Customer Profile, and pay a $160 one-time application fee at the post office where mailings are made. If no permit imprint mailings are made during a 24-month period, the permit is revoked. A separate annual mailing fee may also be due, depending on the class of mail to be prepared.

Indicia Preparation (604.5.3)

Producing imprints: embossed or unembossed permit imprints may be made by printing press, handstamp, lithography, mimeograph, address plate, or similar device. They must not be typewritten or hand-drawn.

Formats: permit imprints for ordinary mail, official mail, and Mailgrams must be prepared in one of the formats described in 604.5.3. See reverse for examples as applicable to the rate claimed or class of mail. Company-style imprints may be used, subject to 604.5.3.9.

Indicia Content (604.5.3.2)

Permit imprints for First-Class Mail and Priority Mail must show city and state, applicable markings ("First-Class Mail," "Priority Mail," or "Priority"), "U.S. Postage Paid," and permit number. The Priority Mail marking may be omitted when using USPS-provided Priority Mail envelopes and containers. The permit imprint may include the mailing date, amount of postage paid, or number of ounces for which postage was paid, ZIP Code, and rate markings. The endorsement "Mailed From ZIP Code," followed by the 5-digit ZIP Code assigned to the post office of mailing, may be used instead of printing the city and state (604.5.3.6).

Standard Mail, Parcel Post, Bound Printed Matter, Media Mail, and Library Mail permit imprints must contain the same information required for First-Class Mail imprints, except that the date and words "First-Class Mail" or "Priority" or "Priority Mail" must be substituted with the applicable class or subclass name. The permit imprint may include the amount of postage paid, the weight of the piece, and rate markings as required (604.5.3.7).

Mail Preparation

All pieces in a permit imprint mailing must be of identical weight unless otherwise authorized by Business Mailer Supprt (608.8.1). Other markings and endorsements may be required by the standards for the rate claimed or service requested.

Deposit

Mailings must be deposited at a business mail entry unit or other location designated by the postmaster. Mail must not be deposited in street collection boxes. Postage statements must be submitted as specified by the standards for the rate claimed.

For the specific DMM standards applicable to this category of mail, consult the DMM sections referenced above and the general sections within each DMM module.

First-Class Mail

Standard Mail 

Package Services

These are only examples; not all possible variations are shown. See 604.5.3.10 (Exhibits 4.1a and 4.1b) for other examples.

When not in indicia, class and/or rate must be marked on mailpiece (see individual standards for each subclass of mail).

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