Qualifying mailpieces will receive a three percent discount on postage!

The Postal Service filed a notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission to temporarily adjust the prices for its market-dominant products, First-Class Mail and Standard Mail [Link]. The change (aka Summer Program) will provide commercial mailers an upfront discount on the prices for First-Class Mail and Standard Mail letters and flats, which include a mobile barcode (QR/2D) inside or on the mailpieces.

This adjustment will take effect at 12:01 AM on July 1, 2011, and expire at 11:59 PM on August 31, 2011.

To qualify for the program, the following conditions must be met:

• Mailpieces must be First-Class Mail Presort letters or flats or Standard Mail commercial Letters or Flats (pieces paying Nonprofit prices are ineligible for the discount).
• Mailpieces must include a two-dimensional mobile barcode inside or on the mailpiece, and the must be readable by a mobile smart phone. One dimensional barcodes, although readable by smart phones, do not qualify. If the mobile barcode is on the outside of the mailpiece, it must comply with all Domestic Mail Manual mail design requirements.
• The objective of the two-dimensional mobile barcode on eligible mail pieces must be to initiate interaction with consumers via mobile smart phones to market, promote, or educate. Two-dimensional barcodes used for other purposes - such as:
  • for internal corporate operational processes, or
  • for postage evidencing are not eligible for the discount.
• All mailpieces in the mailing must contain a qualifying two-dimensional mobile barcode. Each postage statement is considered a mailing for purposes of the promotion.
• Mailing documentation must be submitted
• Except for the IMb full-service discount, the mailing may not claim any other incentive.