The U.S. Postal Service has one particular requirement that I see is overlooked a great deal. Here is an excerpt from one of the rules, as printed in the current Domestic Mail Manual:
3.17 Enclosed Reply Cards and Envelopes, 3.17.1 Basic Standard
All letter-size reply cards and envelopes (business reply mail (BRM), courtesy reply mail (CRM), and meter reply mail (MRM)) provided as enclosures in automation First-Class Mail, Periodicals, and Standard Mail and addressed for return to a domestic delivery address must meet the applicable standards for automation-compatible mail in 3.0.
In other words, the U.S. Postal Service is saying that in order for a direct mail piece to receive reduced automation postage rates, not only does the direct mail piece have to meet all the stringent automation compatibility rules on its way out, it must also meet those rules for any reply mail coming back in!
Basically, the post office is saying that they do not want to give you a discount on your direct mail services unless you make it easier for them to mail back the included reply mail. I have always found this to be an odd requirement.
Nonetheless, if it is not adhered to, your direct mail media will not receive automation discounts; this will not only cost you more in overall postage, but may also cause a delay in your final delivery times.
With Direct Mail Media, How Do You Place a Barcode on Reply Mail?
If you currently do not have an automation compatible barcode for your return mail, then you can obtain one easily by contacting your local post office. You will want to ask for the mailing requirements department of the Business Mail Entry section.
The post office will supply you with a fax number or email address where you can send them your return address to; once processed, they will relay back an address complete with a barcode. For future business mailing services, you can supply your printer with this barcode for your reply mail print runs.
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