Sometimes we forget that we are spending an awful lot of time slinging mailing lingo around. For some of us in the “list world” this is second nature – for others, we might as well be speaking Greek! To those who might not live and breathe the postal jargon as we do, here is a handy reference guide to a few of the most common terms you will hear when working with your list provider, printer or mailing house on a direct mail piece:
Automation-Compatible Mail
Mail that meets postal specifications concerning design, size, machine readability, and characteristics so that it can be scanned and processed by automated mail processing equipment.
Address Correction Service
If mail cannot be delivered as addressed, this service allows the sender on request, using the appropriate ancillary service endorsement, to obtain the addressee’s new (forwarding) address (if a change-of-address order was filed), or the reason the mail cannot be delivered as addressed.
Automation Discount
A postage reduction offered to mailers who barcode their letters and flats and meet addressing, readability, and other requirements for processing on automated equipment.
Bulk Mail
Mail that is generally rated for postage partly by weight and partly by the number of pieces in the mailing. A rate discount is given based on the mail preparation work done by the mailer and the place of mail deposit. To qualify as bulk mail, there must be at least 200 pieces or 50 lbs. of mail. While first class postage increases with every ounce, standard mail gives you the same low rate of postage up to 3.3087 ounces. Delivery is slower.
CDS (Computerized Delivery Sequence)
A postal product that contains all addresses. A customer of the USPS may participate in this product if they have at least 90% of the addresses in a particular ZIP code. Once certified, the USPS uses the CDS product to maintain the customer’s data.
Carrier Routes
A group of addresses to which the USPS assigns the same code to aid in mail delivery. These codes are 9 digits – 5 numbers for the ZIP code, one letter for the carrier route type and 3 numbers for the carrier route code. For example “98001C001”.
Carrier Route Sortation
The practice of sorting mail by carrier route to qualify for reduced postage rates. The term is a general descriptor of the available rates for this type of preparation, which include Enhanced Carrier Route Standard Mail, automation carrier route First-Class Mail, carrier route Periodicals, and carrier route Bound Printed Matter
CASS (Coding Accuracy Support System)
A USPS approved process which improves address deliverability and standardization.
Destination Delivery Unit (DDU) Rate
A rate available for Periodicals, Standard Mail, Parcel Post, and Bound Printed Matter that is properly prepared and entered by the mailer at the postal facility that serves the delivery address on the mail.
Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)
Postal Service manual that contains the basic standards and rates for domestic mail services.
Drop Shipment
Typically the movement of a mailer’s product on private transportation from the point of production to a postal facility closer to the destination of those pieces.
Delivery Point Barcode (DPBC)
A POSTNET barcode that represents the ZIP+4 code generally and the last two digits of the primary street address number (or post office box, etc.) and a correction digit. The DPBC allows automated sortation of mail to the carrier level in walk sequence.
Destination Entry
The process of transporting and depositing mail at the postal facilities that serve the addresses on the mailpieces in a mailing. The mailer receives additional discounts for destination entry mail. After your mail is verified and postage is paid at the facility where you hold your permit, you can take your mail to one of three places to receive a destination entry discount: a destination bulk mail center (DBMC) (or destination area distribution center [DADC] for Periodicals), a destination sectional center facility (DSCF), or a destination delivery unit (DDU). The discount you receive depends on which of these locations you choose.
ECR (Enhanced Carrier Route)
This is a subclass to standard mail. ECR has 3 rates: Basic, High Density and Walk Sequence Saturation.
Fulfillment
The actual process of stuffing envelopes, setting up a mailing list, and shipping out a mailing piece. Following up on and tracking a mailing is also part of fulfillment.
Indicia
Imprinted designations on mailpieces that indicate postage payment (e.g., metered postage or permit imprint).
Machinable
The ability of a mailpiece to be sorted by mail processing equipment. (Compare with nonmachinable.)
Merge/Purge
To combine more than one mailing list (merge), and then delete any duplicate entries (purge).
National Change of Address (NCOA)
An address correction service provided to mailers by the Postal Service through its licensees. The licensees match computerized mailing lists with change of address data, and NCOA provides current, standardized, and ZIP+4 coded addresses for all residential and business movers before the mail enters the mailstream.
Nonmachinable
Mail that cannot be sorted on mail processing equipment because of size, shape, content, or address legibility. Such mail is normally processed manually and could be subject to a surcharge.
Periodicals
A class of mail consisting of authorized magazines, newspapers, or other publications formed of printed sheets that are issued at least four times a year at regular, specific intervals from a known office of publication.
Postage Statement
Documentation provided by a mailer to the Postal Service that reports the volume of mail being presented and the postage payable or affixed, and that certifies that the mail meets the applicable eligibility and addressing standards for the rate claimed.
Presorted Mail
A form of mail preparation, required to bypass certain postal operations, in which the mailer groups pieces in a mailing by ZIP Code or by carrier route or carrier walk sequence (or other Postal Service–recommended separation).
Saturation
Refers to the level of penetration a mailing list has into each carrier route. The more deliveries on a route that are included, the better the saturation rate will be.
Seasonal Address
An address that is coded as “Seasonal” by the USPS is one where the occupant does not permanently reside. Typically these are vacation homes or addresses in areas with large increases in population during certain seasons of the year.
Sectional Center Facility (SCF)
A postal facility that serves as the processing and distribution center for post offices in a designated geographical area, defined by the first three digits of the ZIP Codes of these offices. Some SCFs serve more than one 3-digit ZIP Code range.
Simplified Addressing
An alternative addressing format used when delivery of identical mailpieces is requested to every customer on a rural route or highway contract route, or to all post office box customers at a post office without city carrier service. Instead of listing a name and address, the mailer may use “Postal Customer.” Simplified address may also be used by government agencies for official mail sent to all stops on city routes and post office boxes at post offices with city delivery service. s available for discount mail.
Standard Mail
A mailing service (class of mail) that comprises the subclasses of Regular Standard Mail, Nonprofit Standard Mail, Enhanced Carrier Route Standard Mail, and Nonprofit Enhanced Carrier Route Standard Mail. Circulars, printed matter, pamphlets, catalogs, newsletters, direct mail, and merchandise can be sent as Standard Mail.
Tray
A container used by the Postal Service and mailers to hold letters and First-Class Mail flats. It is used as a basic unit of mail quantity for purposes of preparing mail to qualify for discounted postage rates.
Walk Sequence Mail
Walk Sequenced mail is provided in the exact order in which the carrier walks or drives each route so the carrier does not need to sort the mail, which saves the USPS time and money. This savings is passed along to the mailer in the form of the lowest postal rate.
Mary McCarty
List Services Manager
