What is Metered Mail USPS? (all you must know)
If you run a business that mails a lot of first-class letters and envelopes, you’re probably acutely aware that postage is getting more expensive.
But what if you could save on domestic and international mailing costs and save yourself a trip to the post office? You can do this with Metered Mail. But what is USPS metered mail and how does it work? I found the answer you were looking for below, so keep reading!
What is USPS Metered Mail in 2022?
Metered Mail is a service provided by the U.S. Postal Service that allows businesses and individuals with large volumes of outgoing letters and/or packages to print postage directly onto their mail in 2022. This is achieved through a postage meter, which can only be rented with permission from the mailing city.
To learn more about what Metered Mail means, if anyone has access to Metered Mail, even if you can put Metered Mail into a mailbox like stamped mail, and more, go ahead!
What does metered mail mean?
Metered Mail is the United States Postal Service’s term for mail that has been postage applied by a postage meter.
It is available for all mailing categories except journals.
This includes First-Class (discounted) and First-Class Package, Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, Retail Ground and Media Mail.
It also includes some international mailing services, which can be purchased at a discount to the retail price using Metered Mail.
To use this method, you will need to load a predetermined amount into your Metered Mail account, which will be deducted from your total postage each time you print new postage.
Postage meters are leased and can only be obtained from one of five locations, including Pitney Bowes Inc. in Stamford, Conn., and FP Mailing Solutions in Addison, Illinois.
(Remember: Before you can start printing postage, you’ll need permission from the city where the letter and package will be mailed.)
Vendors set rental prices, so you’re encouraged to shop around to get the best deal on the machine that’s right for you.
An example is the SendPro Mailstation in Pitney Bowes, which rents for $24.99 per month.
That said, there are a variety of postage meters, from those that can handle 2 pounds to those that can handle 25 pounds.
Can anyone use metered mail?
As it happens, not everyone has access to Metered Mail. In fact, it is limited to businesses and individuals sending large volumes of letters and/or packages.
First, you must get a postage meter, a machine that prints postage. These can only be rented from five different companies:
- Data-Pac Mailing System Corp, Webster, NY
- FP Mailing Solutions, Addison, IL
- Hasler, Inc. in Milford, CT
- Quadient, in Milford, Connecticut
- Pitney Bowes Inc., Stamford, CT
(Note that USPS does not provide postage meters, but only approved vendors.)
Rental prices for postage meters vary and are set by individual suppliers.
Then, you must obtain permission to use the postage meter, which is obtained from the city where you mail your letters and packages.
Basically, you can visit your local post office and request PS Form 3615, Mailing Permit Application and Customer Information.
There is no application fee, but you must pay the annual mail permit fee.
So, as you can see, it’s a lot of hassle to use Metered Mail, and it’s not for everyone.
What is the difference between metered mail and stamps?
The difference between Metered Mail and Stamp Mail is that Metered Mail prints the postage on the envelope.
However, stamp mail involves the manual application of postage in the form of sticky stamps.
Plus, Metered Mail costs 9% (or 5 cents) less than mail that requires a Forever stamp, thanks to the USPS discount.
Can you put metered mail into a regular mailbox?
Most metered mail can be placed in a regular mailbox or in a collection box, but it must be done the same day it is printed.
However, pre-sort and commercial mail cannot be put into regular mailboxes and must be brought into the post office that issued the permit.
This is to ensure the correct postage is affixed, and if not, the correct postage is paid.
What are the advantages of metered mail?
Metered Mail offers many benefits to its users, most of whom are businesses or users with home offices.
Some benefits include:
- Discounted rate for letters (53 cents for letters up to 1 ounce vs. 58 cents retail price)
- Business base rates for access to international mail
- Fewer trips to the post office because you print postage at the office or at home
- The scale is built into the postage meter so you always have an accurate weight for an accurate postage amount
- A clean, uniform and professional look on letters and packages
- Faster postage application than manual/manual
To learn more, you can also read our posts on USPS mailbox regulations, how USPS mailbox installations work, and how to cancel USPS mail hold.
in conclusion
USPS Metered Mail is a professional service for business owners and individuals who handle bulk letter mail because it enables them to print postage directly onto envelopes.
The postage meter is the machine used to accomplish this task. They can only be rented from one of five companies, and you need a license from the mailing city to run them.
