Mailing Permits

Permits can be used as an alternative to metering or stamping each mail piece when mailing in large quantities to domestic addresses. They are to be used on large identical mailings of 200 pieces or more. It is suggested mailers print the proper permit at the time of printing. This pre-printed permit saves time and labor moving your mail through the mail service. Permit mailings are paid by a trust account with the USPS.

Departments are allowed to use WWU permits on WWU business mail only.  An individual envelope with permit information in the stamp location does not make the mail free. It is an infraction of our privileges; to drop single piece permit mailers in USPS receptacles.  Do not drop permit prepared envelopes or cards in USPS receptacles.  Small quantities mailed through the Mail services are allowed; first class postage will be adhered.

The preprinted mail permit is to be covered when mailing pieces in quantities less than 200.  Mailings done in cooperation with another NON-Profit organization that is REGISTER at the Bellingham Postal Service are allowed.

No mail house or individual is allowed to use Western’s permit to submit mailings directly to the USPS without an authorized signature or pre-arranged permission. 

Western holds several permits with the USPS for different uses.  Please be sure you are using the correct permit for your type of mailing.  There are permits for standard bulk mail, first class mail, first class presort, and business reply mail.  All permit mailings with the exception of business reply are valid only on identical weight pieces in quantities of 200 or more.  When using a permit the top line of the return address must be WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY.

Non-Profit Permit

This permit is used under the following conditions:

• The mailing must consist of 200+ pieces, or 50 pounds of domestically addressed pieces. (This does not include foreign or campus addresses.)
• The mailing must be totally sponsored by WWU.
• Each mail piece must be identical in weight.
• An individual mail piece must weight less than 16 ounces.
• Pieces must be in zip code order.
• Mail pieces must have a complete domestic return address.
• They will receive the slower postal service at the most inexpensive rate.

 

Pre-Sorted Standard Mail

This permit is used under the following conditions:

• The mailing must consist of 200+ pieces, or 50 pounds of domestically addressed pieces. (This does not include foreign or campus addresses.)
• The mailing is sponsored by an organization that is note registered as a Non-Profit (call Mail Services x3770 if you have a question on your status.)
• Each mail piece must be identical in weight.
• An individual mail piece must weight less than 16 ounces.
• Mail pieces must have a complete domestic return address.

*Note: if you have any old envelopes that say "BULK RATE", do NOT use them. The indicia is obsolete and will be refused by the Post Office.

 

Pre-Sorted First Class Mail

This permit is used under the following conditions:

• The mailing must consist of 500+ pieces.
• Each mail piece must be identical in weight.
• An individual mail piece must weight less than 11 ounces.
• Do not need to be in zip code order.
• Mail pieces must have a complete domestic return address.
• Will receive first class services at a discounted postage rate.

 

First Class Mail

This permit is used under the following conditions:

• The mailing must consist of 200+ pieces.
• Do not need to be in zip code order.
• Will be charged the full first class postage rate.

 

Placement of Permit:
Mailers must print the permit in the upper-right corner of the envelope or
address label.  The position must be at least ¼ inch from the right edge of the mail piece and ¼ inch from the top edge of the mail piece.  Orientation of the permit should be with the longest dimension parallel to the address.  It must be printed wholly within a clear space no smaller than ½ inch by ½ inch.  The entire area occupied by the permit must be no larger than 1 1/2 inch below or to the left of the upper right corner of the mail piece.  Print no smaller than 4-point type. No printing should appear above or to the right of the permit information.

Producing permits:
Embossed or un-embossed permit imprints may be made by printing press, hand stamp, lithography, mimeograph, address plate, or similar device.  They must NOT be typewritten or hand-drawn. When using permits the top line of the Return address must be WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY.

 

If you have any questions please contact Mail Services x3770.