Postal Explorer > Publication 417 - Nonprofit Standard Mail Eligibility > 4 Qualified Mailings

4 Qualified Mailings

4-1 Legal Responsibilities

Authorization to mail at the Nonprofit Standard Mail (nonprofit) rates is a privilege granted by law only to authorized organizations. Civil and criminal penalties apply to false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements made in connection with a Nonprofit Standard Mail mailing. Under USPS standards, an authorized organization must:

• Ensure that only its own matter is mailed under its Nonprofit Standard Mail authorization.

• Never use the nonprofit rates to send matter on behalf of, or produced for, an unauthorized organization or individual.

• Never delegate, lend, or "rent" its Nonprofit Standard Mail authorization to any other person or organization.

• Ensure that a properly completed postage statement is presented with each mailing.

Note: The mailer's signature on the postage statement certifies that the mailpiece is eligible for the nonprofit rates.