What is USPS Presort Mailing? Categories, Discount Tiers & Rates

What is USPS Presort Mailing?

USPS Presort is a bulk mail program where businesses sort their own mail by ZIP code before delivery to USPS earning discounted postage rates in return.

It is designed for businesses sending at least 200 pieces (Marketing Mail) or 500 pieces (First-Class Mail). By organizing shipments before drop-off, businesses reduce USPS's processing workload and qualify for lower per-piece rates.

For example, a business sending 1,000 promotional mailers groups them by destination ZIP code. USPS skips the initial sorting step, speeding up delivery and cutting postage costs by up to 43% versus retail rates.

What Does Presorted Mail Mean?

Presorted mail is divided into Standard Mail (also known as Marketing Mail) and First Class Mail

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How USPS Presort Differs from Regular Mail

Presort mail beats regular mail on cost, processing speed, and per-piece rates at the cost of a minimum volume requirement. By sorting mail in advance, businesses reduce USPS handling work and qualify for discounted postage rates.

When to use each:

• Marketing Mail Presort — Non-urgent bulk materials: flyers, catalogs, newsletters
• First-Class Presort — Time-sensitive mail that requires forwarding and return services

When to Use Each Service

• Marketing Mail: Best for non-urgent, bulk promotional materials
• First-Class Presort: Best for time-sensitive, personalized mail with tracking and forwarding

How Does USPS Presort Work?

To qualify for USPS presort discounts, businesses must follow a structured mailing process:

1. Sort Mail by ZIP Code – Group mail according to destination ZIP Codes.
2. Bundle Similar Mail Together – Create bundles based on 5-digit, 3-digit, or mixed ZIP groupings.
3. Apply Barcodes & Labels – Each piece must have a USPS Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMb) for automated sorting.
4. Provide USPS Documentation – Submit a postage statement detailing quantity, weight, and mail type.
5. Drop Off at USPS Bulk Mail Entry Unit (BMEU) – Since the mail is pre-sorted, USPS processes it faster than standard mail.

This sorting effort reduces work for USPS, allowing them to offer discounted postage rates.

USPS Presort Discount Tiers

The more precisely you sort, the more you save. USPS offers 3 discount levels based on sorting depth.

The more sorting a business does upfront, the lower the postage costs. There are two key ways USPS presort mail can provide cost-saving benefits for businesses: by reducing USPS operational costs, which leads to discounted postage rates, and by comparing in-house presorting with 3rd party presorting to understand the advantages of each approach.

Should You Use In-House or Third-Party Presorting?

Businesses can either handle presorting manually or outsource it to a third-party service. Choosing a reliable mailing service provider is crucial to ensure data security and compliance with USPS regulations.

Comparison: In-House vs. Third-Party Presorting

USPS Presort Rate Comparison

Below is a side-by-side cost comparison between normal rates and presorted rates:

Presorted First-Class Mail Rates

Presorted Standard Mail Rates

Save Money with USPS Presort Mailing!

Presort mail is an effective tool for reducing mailing costs for bulk shipments. By grouping mail according to delivery zones, USPS does less work and passes the savings on to you.

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FAQs

What is USPS presort?

It is the mailing category where packages are presorted based on their zip codes (3-digit and 5-digit), size, and destination by businesses before being sent to USPS. 

Is presorted mail junk mail?

No, the presorted mail is not junk mail. It is sent in bulk, but that is the nature of the business and not necessarily spam mail.

What's the difference between a  5-digit presort and a basic presort?

A 5-digit presort is more precise since these mails are categorized based on the complete zip code, leading to the exact location. A basic presort is categorized into the city or state - a larger geographic area. 5-digital presort is more economical than basic.