Precanceled and Unprecanceled
Stamps
Updated October 1996
PS-225 (604.1.2)
This Customer Support Ruling discusses
the use of precanceled and unprecanceled stamps to pay for regular postage and fees.
Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) 604.1.2, provides that bulk
rate and Nonprofit rate stamps may be used to pay regular postage and fees for special
services, provided the mailpiece is endorsed as required to indicate the appropriate
class of the mailpiece and, if applicable, the special service desired. The
total postage affixed must at least equal the postage charge for the class of the
mailpiece and, if applicable, the proper fee for the special service desired.
As such, unprecanceled bulk rate and Nonprofit rate stamps may be used to pay the
First-Class Mail rate of postage on letters provided each letter bears the applicable
legal rate of postage and is marked "First-Class Mail."
DMM 604.3.3, provides that stamps
precanceled with the rate category may be used to pay single piece rated postage
on mail provided the mail is endorsed to show the proper class, such as First-Class
Mail. The endorsement must be placed immediately below the postage.
Thus, if a permit to use precanceled stamps is obtained at a post office, precanceled
stamps may be used to pay postage on single letters which are mailed at the First-Class
Mail rate of postage. However, each letter must bear the endorsement "First-Class
Mail." Postage must be affixed at the proper First-Class Mail rate.
A fee is not required to be paid for processing a PS Form 3615, Mailing Permit Application
and Customer Profile.
DMM 604.3.1.6 prescribes that mail
bearing precanceled postage must be presented to the post office where the permit
is held to authorized postal employees at weigh units, window units or detached
mail units. Deposit of mail bearing precanceled postage in street collection
boxes is not permitted. Therefore, precanceled stamps may not be used to prepay
postage on courtesy reply envelopes that will be used for the conveyance of matter
through the mails (at any rate of postage) to a company from different locations.
(Signed)
Anita J. Bizzotto
Manager
Mailing Standards
United States
Postal Service
Washington DC 20260-3436
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