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Standard Mail consists of mailable matter
that is neither mailed or required to be mailed as First-Class Mail
nor entered as Periodicals (unless permitted or required by standard)
and that weighs less than 16 ounces.
As advances in technology have enabled mailers to increase the amount
of “personal information” in computer-generated mailings,
including advertising material typically entered as Standard Mail,
the Postal Service has determined the need for guidance concerning
the inclusion of “personal information” in Standard Mail
(regular or nonprofit rates).
The following “decision tree” along with Customer Support
Rulings will assist you in determining if your mailpiece is eligible
at the Standard Mail rates of postage.
These eligibility standards for Standard Mail are effective June
1, 2005. On October 27, 2004, the USPS published the Federal
Register Final Rule for Eligibility Requirements for Standard Mail.
 Indicates
Customer Support Ruling. Click on icon to see more information.
Standard Mail Eligibility Decision Tree (PDF)
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Summary of Customer Support Rulings (CSR)
on Qualifications for Standard Mail
| Q. Is it typewritten or
handwritten? |
| A. Yes |
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|
 |
| CSR |
|
Description |
|
DMM Reference |
| PS-091 |
|
This CSR discusses whether the age of documents affects their
status as handwritten or typewritten matter that is mailable only
at First-Class Mail or Express Mail rates. |
|
133.3 |
| Back to Top |
| Q. Is it a bill or statement of account? |
| A. Yes |
|
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|
|
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| CSR |
|
Description |
|
DMM Reference |
| PS-031 |
|
This CSR shows whether a computer prepared mortgage payment
card is considered a bill or statement of account that is mailable
only at First-Class Mail or Express Mail rates, rather than
as Standard Mail. |
|
233.2 |
| Back to Top |
| Q. Does it contain personal
information? |
| A. No |
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|
| CSR |
|
Description |
|
DMM Reference |
| PS-026 |
|
In this CSR a determination will be made as to whether a “check” is “personal” information
and mailable only at First-Class Mail or Express Mail rates. |
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243.2 |
|
| PS-159 |
|
This CSR discusses whether certain information inserted into
a mailpiece by computer constitutes “personal information” within
the meaning of postal standards governing what may be mailed
as Standard Mail and what must be mailed as First-Class Mail. |
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343.2 |
|
| PS-317 |
|
In this CSR, a question is raised as to whether certain information
is considered “personal” information for the purpose
of classifying mail. |
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243.2 |
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| PS-320 |
|
In this CSR, a determination will be made as to whether a “check,” while
present in a mailpiece, is “personal” information
mailable only as First-Class Mail or at Express Mail rates. |
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243.2 |
|
| PS-323 |
|
This CSR discusses whether “personal information” present
in the mailpiece of an organization authorized to mail at Nonprofit
Standard Mail rates causes the piece to be ineligible for Standard
Mail rates. |
|
243.2 |
| Back to Top |
| Q. Does it contain personal
information? |
| A. Yes |
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| CSR |
|
Description |
|
DMM Reference |
| PS-238 |
|
In this CSR, a determination will be made as to whether a
mailpiece containing “personal” information is
eligible as Standard Mail under current rules as well as revised
standards that are effective June 1, 2005. |
|
243.2 |
|
| PS-262 |
|
This CSR discusses whether “personal information” present
in the mailpiece of an organization authorized to mail at the
Nonprofit Standard Mail rates causes the piece to be ineligible
for Standard Mail rates. |
|
243.2 |
|
| PS-275 |
|
In this CSR, a case study serves to clarify whether certain “personal
information” present in the mailpiece of a “points
program” mailing is part of an “explicit” advertisement
where all of the personal information is “directly related” to
the advertisement and the “exclusive” purpose for
including the personal information is in support of the advertisement. |
|
243.2 |
|
| PS-318 |
|
In this CSR a determination will be made as to whether certain “personal” information
present in the mailpiece is part of an “explicit” advertisement
where all of the personal information is “directly related” to
the advertisement and the “exclusive” purpose for
including the personal information is in support of the advertisement. |
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343.2 |
|
| PS-319 |
|
In this CSR a determination will be made as to whether a “check” is
considered “personal information” and mailable
only at First-Class Mail or Express Mail rates. |
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233.2.3 |
|
| PS-321 |
|
In this CSR, a case study serves to clarify whether certain “personal
information” present in the mailpiece of a credit card
issuer’s mailing is part of an “explicit” advertisement
where all of the personal information is “directly related” to
the advertisement and the “exclusive” purpose for
including the personal information is in support of the advertisement. |
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233.2 |
|
| PS-322 |
|
This CSR discusses whether “personal information” in
the mailpiece of an organization authorized to mail at the
Nonprofit Standard Mail rates causes the piece to be ineligible
for Standard Mail rates. |
|
233.2 |
|
| PS-323 |
|
This CSR discusses whether “personal information” present
in the mailpiece of an organization authorized to mail at Nonprofit
Standard Mail rates causes the piece to be ineligible for Standard
Mail rates. |
|
243.2 |
|
| PS-324 |
|
This CSR discusses whether “personal information” in
an “advocacy” mailpiece causes the piece to be
ineligible for entry as Standard Mail. |
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243.2 |
| Back to Top |
| Q. Is there explicit
advertising for a product or service for sale or lease, or
an explicit solicitation for a donation? |
| A. No |
|
|
|
|
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| CSR |
|
Description |
|
DMM Reference |
| PS-319 |
|
In this CSR a determination will be made as to
whether a “check” is considered “personal
information” and mailable only at First-Class Mail or
Express Mail rates. |
|
233.2.3 |
| Back to Top |
| Q. Is there explicit
advertising for a product or service for sale or lease, or
an explicit solicitation for a donation? |
| A. Yes |
|
|
|
|
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| CSR |
|
Description |
|
DMM Reference |
| PS-238 |
|
In this CSR, a determination will be made as
to whether a mailpiece containing “personal” information
is eligible as Standard Mail under current rules as well as
revised standards that are effective June 1, 2005. |
|
243.2 |
|
| PS-262 |
|
This CSR discusses whether “personal information” present
in the mailpiece of an organization authorized to mail at the
Nonprofit Standard Mail rates causes the piece to be ineligible
for Standard Mail rates. |
|
243.2 |
|
| PS-275 |
|
In this CSR, a case study serves to clarify whether certain “personal
information” present in the mailpiece of a “points
program” mailing is part of an “explicit” advertisement
where all of the personal information is “directly related” to
the advertisement and the “exclusive” purpose for
including the personal information is in support of the advertisement. |
|
243.2 |
|
| PS-318 |
|
In this CSR a determination will be made as
to whether certain “personal” information present
in the mailpiece is part of an “explicit” advertisement
where all of the personal information is “directly related” to
the advertisement and the “exclusive” purpose for
including the personal information is in support of the advertisement. |
|
343.2 |
|
| PS-321 |
|
In this CSR, a case study serves to clarify whether certain “personal
information” present in the mailpiece of a credit card
issuer’s mailing is part of an “explicit” advertisement
where all of the personal information is “directly related” to
the advertisement and the “exclusive” purpose for
including the personal information is in support of the advertisement. |
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233.2 |
|
| PS-322 |
|
This CSR discusses whether “personal information” in
the mailpiece of an organization authorized to mail at the
Nonprofit Standard Mail rates causes the piece to be ineligible
for Standard Mail rates. |
|
233.2 |
| Back to Top |
| Q. Is all the “personal
information” directly related to the advertising solicitation? |
| A. No |
|
|
|
|
|
| CSR |
|
Description |
|
DMM Reference |
| PS-321 |
|
In this CSR, a case study serves to clarify whether
certain “personal information” present in the mailpiece
of a credit card issuer’s mailing is part of an “explicit” advertisement
where all of the personal information is “directly related” to
the advertisement and the “exclusive” purpose for
including the personal information is in support of the advertisement. |
|
243.2 |
| Back to Top |
| Q. Is all the “personal
information” directly related to the advertising solicitation? |
| A. Yes |
|
|
|
|
|
| CSR |
|
Description |
|
DMM Reference |
| PS-238 |
|
In this CSR, a determination will be made as
to whether a mailpiece containing “personal” information
is eligible as Standard Mail under current rules as well as
revised standards that are effective June 1, 2005. |
|
243.2 |
|
| PS-262 |
|
This CSR discusses whether “personal information” present
in the mailpiece of an organization authorized to mail at the
Nonprofit Standard Mail rates causes the piece to be ineligible
for Standard Mail rates. |
|
243.2 |
|
| PS-275 |
|
In this CSR, a case study serves to clarify
whether certain “personal information” present
in the mailpiece of a “points program” mailing
is part of an “explicit” advertisement where all
of the personal information is “directly related” to
the advertisement and the “exclusive” purpose for
including the personal information is in support of the advertisement. |
|
243.2 |
|
| PS-318 |
|
In this CSR a determination will be made as to
whether certain “personal” information present
in the mailpiece is part of an “explicit” advertisement
where all of the personal information is “directly related” to
the advertisement and the “exclusive” purpose for
including the personal information is in support of the advertisement. |
|
343.2 |
|
| PS-322 |
|
This CSR discusses whether “personal information” in
the mailpiece of an organization authorized to mail at the
Nonprofit Standard Mail rates causes the piece to be ineligible
for Standard Mail rates. |
|
233.2 |
| Back to Top |
| Q. Is the exclusive purpose
of the “personal information” to support the
advertising or solicitation? |
| A. No |
|
|
|
|
|
| CSR |
|
Description |
|
DMM Reference |
| PS-322 |
|
This CSR discusses whether “personal information” in
the mailpiece of an organization authorized to mail at the
Nonprofit Standard Mail rates causes the piece to be ineligible
for Standard Mail rates. |
|
233.2 |
| Back to Top |
| Q. Is the exclusive purpose
of the “personal information” to support the
advertising or solicitation? |
| A. Yes |
|
|
|
|
|
| CSR |
|
Description |
|
DMM Reference |
| PS-238 |
|
In this CSR, a determination will be made as
to whether a mailpiece containing “personal” information
is eligible as Standard Mail under current rules as well as
revised standards that are effective June 1, 2005. |
|
243.2 |
|
| PS-262 |
|
This CSR discusses whether “personal information” present
in the mailpiece of an organization authorized to mail at the
Nonprofit Standard Mail rates causes the piece to be ineligible
for Standard Mail rates. |
|
243.2 |
|
| PS-275 |
|
In this CSR, a case study serves to clarify whether
certain “personal information” present in the mailpiece
of a “points program” mailing is part of an “explicit” advertisement
where all of the personal information is “directly related” to
the advertisement and the “exclusive” purpose for
including the personal information is in support of the advertisement. |
|
243.2 |
|
| PS-318 |
|
In this CSR a determination will be made as to
whether certain “personal” information present
in the mailpiece is part of an “explicit” advertisement
where all of the personal information is “directly related” to
the advertisement and the “exclusive” purpose for
including the personal information is in support of the advertisement. |
|
343.2 |
| Back to Top |
Additional Information
For the content standards for Standard Mail, see Domestic Mail Manual
(DMM) 243.2 for letters, 343.2 for flats, or 443.2 for parcels.
For the content standards for First-Class Mail, see DMM 233.2 for
letters, 333.2 for flats, or 433.2 for parcels.
On October 27, 2004, the USPS published the Federal
Register Final Rule for Eligibility Requirements for Standard Mail.
For questions concerning Standard Mail eligibility, contact your
manager, district Business Mail Entry.
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