Randy Weiler, SPC’s Director of Postal Affairs and Logistics, is here to help you navigate the labyrinth of the USPS. What does it take to efficiently move your projects through the USPS system? What efficiencies can you gain from SPC’s lettershop expertise? Who determines postal increases?
Beginning this month, Randy will field your burning questions about mail and postal affairs in a Q&A format. You can email him at askrandy@specialtyprintcomm.com or post a question via Facebook or Twitter using the hashtag #AskRandyUSPS. He will tackle any questions you have as we post the questions and his answers each month both here on the SPC blog and on social media.
1: How long does it take for marketing mail to be delivered in home from the mailing date?
Answer: 4-14 days
It really depends on the location of the mailer and the destination of the mail recipients. It also depends on the mail entry level. SPC is located in Chicago, so I’ll base my answer off of that.
- Origin mail entered in Chicago will typically take 6-18 days to be in home depending on mail recipient location.
- SCF entered mail is usually in home 1-3 days after it is entered. Delivery of the mail to the SCF can take from 1-9 days depending on the transportation method and SCF Location.
- NDC entered mail generally is in home 3-5 days after it is entered. Delivery of the mail to the NDC can take from 1-9 days depending on the transportation method and NDC Location.
Transportation of mail to SCF and NDC locations via consolidation, the least costly method, is 3 days for facilities that are near the mailer and up to 9 days from Chicago to West Coast locations. This can be reduced by 2-3 days by shipping via LTL (less than truckload), but the cost to do so is considerably higher. So to this point, general rules of thumb for marketing mail in home expectations from Chicago are:
- Midwest: 4-8 days
- East Coast: 5-10 days
- West Coast: 7-14 days
SPC often produces mailings that have specific in home delivery requirements and therefore we target delivery to USPS facilities based on the above expectations. If mailings have significant quantities that only qualify for Origin or NDC entry, post mailing methods such as commingling can be utilized to improve upon this.
2: Will there be any USPS promotions in 2018?
Answer: Probably Not
As expected a Governor shortage on the USPS Board of Governors has delayed or quite likely eliminated mailing promotions for 2018. The USPS cannot implement any postal promotions until at least one of the three Presidential nominated Governors is confirmed by the US Senate. The Senate has been delaying or halting Governor Confirmations for years resulting in 9 vacancies on the 11 member Board of Governors. Lacking the required appointed Governor, it does not appear promising that there will be mailing promotions in 2018.
3: What is Mail Anywhere?
Mail Anywhere is a USPS authorization given to mailers meeting the quality thresholds of Full Service Electronic mail verification. It allows for mail bearing permit indicias held at USPS BMEUs throughout the United States to now be submitted for mailing by authorized mailers through their local USPS Business Mail Entry Unit, without having to open a local permit or change the indicia artwork.
There are several benefits offered to a customer who participates in the Mail Anywhere Program.
- Mailers will have greater flexibility in managing their production since they can shift mail from one site to another without having to open a permit at a new site or change the imprint on the mail.
- Mailers will be able to maintain one locally-held trust account or a single CAPS account for mailings nationwide.
- Mailers will be able to manage one permit versus multiple permits.
- Issuing office Permit Number and City/State or Company Permit Imprint indicia may be printed in the indicia on the piece and entered at any location.
- Waiver of Fees
- Permit Imprint Fees are waived at additional locations when customers have been authorized to participate in the Mail Anywhere program.
- Annual Presort Fees are only required at the office of permit if customer falls below the 90% cumulative Full-Service volume.
Randy Weiler
Director Postal Affairs and Logistics
