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Postal Class

Class of Mail Cost Speed
First Class Mail - Retail High USPS service standard: 1-2 days across the US. Can take longer depending on time of year or other factors
First Class Mail - Presorted Discount Low
Standard Mail Lower

USPS service standard: 2-9 days across the US; but depending on the circumstances Mailrite advises to plan for up to

  • 1 week for the East Coast
  • 2 weeks for the Mid-West
  • 3 weeks for the West Coast
Non-Profit Standard Mail Lowest
  • For a comparison of presorted, automation rates, click here.
  • Contact your Mailrite Account Manager for more detailed information on delivery expectiations for your specific mailing.

Qualifying for Non-Profit Standard Rates

Just because your organizations has 501(3)c non-profit IRS status doesn't mean you qualify for Non-Profit Standard rates. The USPS definition of a Non-Profit organization for mailing purposes is not quite the same as the IRS definition for tax purposes. The USPS definition follows.

To qualify for Non-Profit Standard rates PS Form 3624 and supporting documentation are required at the post office where your mail is deposited. For Mailrite customers that will normally be Putney, VT. If you are a first time Mailrite customer and have already filed PS Form 3624 at some time in the past in a different post office, Mailrite will assist you in filling out PS Form 3623, authorizing Mailrite as an additional mailing site. Contact your Mailrite Account Manager.

Only political committeses, voting registration officials, and organizations that meet specific standards for qualified nonprofit organizations and that have received specific authorization from the USPS may mail eligible matter at the Non-Profit Standard Mail rates. Except for mailings deposited under the plant-verified drop shipment program, a separate authorization is required at each post office where Non-Profit rate mailings are deposited.

Qualified organization: the organization is not organized for profit, and none of its net income inures to the benefit of any private stockholder or individual. Types of organizations that may qualify: religious, educational, scientific, philanthropic, agricultural, labor, veterans, and fraternal. Voting registration officials and national and state political committees may be qualified without regard to their nonprofit status.
Ineligible nonprofit organizations: service, social, and hobby clubs; citizens' and civic improvement associations; state, county, and municipal governments are generally not eligible.
Eligible and ineligible matter:
  • Prohibitions and restrictions: Nonprofit rates not permitted for mailing promotional material for credit cards, insurance policies, and travel arrangements. Authorized organizations may not let any other person or organization use their authorizations to mail at Non-Profit Standard Mail rates.
  • Cooperative mailings: mailable at Non-Profit Standard Mail rates only if each cooperating organization is individually authorized to mail at Non-Profit Standard Mail rates where the mailing is deposited.