Long time mailers in the United States often have existing postage accounts with the USPS that they would prefer to continue to use with their Postalytics campaigns. We’ve created a process for USPS self-funded permit configuration with Postalytics and our print partners. After the permit is reviewed and fully configured, these customers can launch Postalytics campaigns that will split the billing between Postalytics and the USPS. Postalytics will charge for the use of the software, printing and mailing, and the USPS account will be charged directly for First Class, Standard Class or Nonprofit postage.
What are the USPS Self-funded Permit Eligibility Requirements for use with Postalytics?
If you’ve got a commercial mail account with the USPS and you’d prefer to use your permit imprint indicia on your mailings, and you’re willing to pay the required postage fees to the USPS directly, you can configure it in Postalytics.
If you’d like to do this but you do not have a USPS mailing permit, you’ll need to set one up with the USPS. You can start by filling out USPS form 3615 and bringing it to the local post office you’d like your indicia address associated with.
In order to configure your USPS mailing permit with Postalytics, you’ll need:
- an active, funded USPS Commercial mailing permit
- Your Postalytics plan must be Pro, Agency or higher (Free and Marketer plans are not eligible)
- Smart Send campaigns of 250 or more pieces for Standard/Nonprofit Class or 550 or more pieces for First Class are eligible (no Triggered Drip campaigns)
How to Set Up your USPS Permit in Postalytics
If your organization has received authorization from the USPS to send commercial mail with your own permit, and your account is properly funded for your campaigns, you’ll need to provide some information about your account and agree to special terms and conditions.
The process will take a few days for we and our print partners to confirm and configure the permit information so that your USPS permit indicia will be applied to your mailers.
First, enter some general contact information that we’ll use to keep you abreast of our progress in getting your permit information configured.
Next, choose “United States” in the Permit Country drop down and then “Self Funded” in the Permit Type drop down.
Then fill out the Name, Company, Address, Registration ID, Permit Registration ID Permit Number information exactly as they are laid out in your permit.
It is very important that the information that you enter in the form match the exact information in your permit. If something as simple as the organization name or address is incorrect, we won’t be able to process the mail properly and your mailing will be delayed.
Postage Mailing Agreement
Finally, you’ll need to agree to the “Postage Mailing Agreement”, which outlines your responsibilities to use the USPS Self-funded Postage permit in the way that it is intended.
After you fill out the required fields and agree to the Postage Mailing Agreement, select “Apply” at the bottom of the page.
Permit Approval and Next Steps
Next, your application will be in “Pending” status for a couple of days while Postalytics and our print partners confirm with the USPS the information you’ve entered and distribute your self-funded permit indicia throughout our systems. You’ll see the banner “Your application is under review” on your Postalytics Home Dashboard as well as on this Postage Permit page.
Start Sending Mail Using Your USPS Self-Funded Permit
After we’ve confirmed the information in your application and configured your permit indicia in our systems, we’ll notify you of approval or contact you to discuss any issues discovered. Assuming there are no issues, you’ll be notified of the approval, and you can begin sending mail with your USPS Self-funded permit.
You can then use the Direct Mail Credits tool to purchase credits with pricing that does not include postage (as you’ll be paying this directly to the USPS), or the Smart Send campaign wizard with lists of 250 contacts or greater for Standard Class postage, or 550 contacts or greater for First Class postage, to start sending campaigns. When you send mail that uses your USPS Self-funded permit, it will be sent using the specific indicia generated by your application.