Nonprofit Mailers Flood USPS Mailboxes on Proposed Ruling

The Alliance of Nonprofit Mailers reports that nearly 200 mailers and mailing organizations have responded to the U.S. Postal Service’s proposed ruling seeking to clarify the difference between a personalized Standard Mail piece and a personal First Class mail piece. The comment period closed on June 18. “While some comments are still trickling in,” Alliance executive director Neal Denton said in a letter to members, “it is clear that this overwhelming response has been fueled by the concerns of nonprofit mailers.”

The rule proposes a test in which personal information would be permitted at Standard rates only when advertising or solicitation is the sole purpose of the piece and personal information is included primarily to increase the effectiveness of the ad or catalog.

The Alliance says that its members “are especially concerned about the test because they generally send joint fundraising and educational mailings. The proposal would require them to send those mailings at First Class rates instead of the [less expensive] nonprofit Standard Mail rate.” Denton says it’s unclear when the USPS will respond to the comments—and how it will then proceed.