Paying for postage: permits, meters, PC Postage and EPS

What does "Presorted First-Class Mail, US Postage Paid" mean on an envelope?

The words U. S. POSTAGE PAID beside a mail class and a permit number form a permit imprint: the sender paid postage from a USPS account instead of stamps.4USPS Picture Permit® Indicia (PPI) Technical Requirements Version 8.0PDF page 2“MAIL CLASS (in ALL CAPS) U. S. POSTAGE PAID CITY, STATE (ZIP CODE optional) PERMIT NO.”USPS original2USPS Picture Permit® (PPI) Product Requirementspage 5“A mailer may be authorized to mail material without affixing postage when payment is made at the time of mailing from a permit imprint advance deposit account established with USPS.”USPS original PRESORTED, also printed PRSRT, is a marking that shows the mail is eligible for a presorted price.5Publication 32: Glossary of Postal TermsPDF page 182“A price-specific marking that is combined with the required basic class or product marking and, in some cases, with another price-specific marking to indicate eligibility for a presorted category. … The marking can also be abbreviated PRSRT.”USPS original Presorted First-Class Mail is a price category for First-Class Mail mailings of at least 500 addressed pieces, sorted and prepared to USPS standards.5Publication 32: Glossary of Postal TermsPDF page 182“A nonautomation price category for a First-Class Mail mailing that consists of at least 500 addressed mailpieces and is sorted and prepared according to mailing standards.”USPS original

How do I get a USPS bulk mail permit?

A business opens a permit online in the Business Customer Gateway, or brings the permit application, PS Form 3615, to a Business Mail Entry Unit.6Election Mail Permit Based SolutionsPDF page 1“Mailers may create their mailing permit online using the USPS Business Customer Gateway (BCG) website. … If online services are not an option go to https://about.usps.com/forms/ps3615.pdf, download and print the permit application (Form PS 3615), complete Part A, indicate the permit desired in Part B, and bring it to your local BMEU to have your mailing permit created.”USPS original That unit is the USPS office that receives, verifies and accepts bulk mail.7A Guide to Full Servicepage 101“Business Mail Entry Unit (A specialized USPS organization responsible for receiving, verifying, and accepting business (bulk) mail)”USPS original The business picks the Post Office where it will present its mail, and shows two forms of ID there before its first mailing.8Online Permit Creation Fact SheetPDF page 1“Select USPS location where you will be presenting mail for the permit … Note: Two forms of ID are required to be shown at Post Office before submitting first mailing.”USPS original

How do I pay USPS postage due?

The addressee pays the postage due marked on the piece, and USPS then delivers it.9Publication 32: Glossary of Postal Termspage 104“Such mail is marked to show the total (rounded off) deficiency of postage and fees. … Individual such pieces (or quantities fewer than 10) are delivered to the addressee on payment of the charges marked on the mail.”USPS original Postage due is the additional postage a piece owes after it enters the mailstream short of postage, often because it was forwarded.10Publication 32: Glossary of Postal Termspage 165“Additional postage owed USPS after the mailpiece is entered into the mailstream. … Mail on which additional postage is collectable on final delivery, generally because of forwarding or additional services provided.”USPS original For a mailing of 10 or more such pieces, USPS notifies the mailer instead, so the postage can be adjusted before dispatch.9Publication 32: Glossary of Postal Termspage 104“For mailings of 10 or more pieces, the mailer is notified so that the postage charges may be adjusted before dispatch.”USPS original

How do I get an indicia for USPS mail?

A permit imprint indicia comes with a mailing permit: the mailer files PS Form 3615 and any fee that applies at the Post Office where it mails.2USPS Picture Permit® (PPI) Product Requirementspage 5“A mailer may obtain a permit to use a permit imprint indicia and pay postage by submitting the Mailing Permit Application and Customer Profile, PS Form 3615, http://about.usps.com/forms/ps3615.pdf,and the applicable fee to the Post Office where mailings are made.”USPS original Each piece must then bear the indicia: the mail class, U. S. POSTAGE PAID and the permit's city, state and number.2USPS Picture Permit® (PPI) Product Requirementspage 5“Each mailpiece sent under this payment method must bear a permit imprint indicia showing that postage is paid.”USPS original4USPS Picture Permit® Indicia (PPI) Technical Requirements Version 8.0PDF page 2“MAIL CLASS (in ALL CAPS) U. S. POSTAGE PAID CITY, STATE (ZIP CODE optional) PERMIT NO.”USPS original Postage meters and PC Postage print their own indicia, and a meter permit for business mailings has no application fee.3Election Mail Permit Based SolutionsPDF page 2“Postage evidencing systems print indicia, such as information-based indicia (IBI) or intelligent mail indicia, to indicate postage payment. … Although these payment methods can be used for all classes of mail, a permit must be granted to use the meter for business mailings.”USPS original6Election Mail Permit Based SolutionsPDF page 1“There is no application fee required to establish a Meter permit or a Precanceled Stamp permit.”USPS original To use one, a mailer rents or leases a meter from an authorized provider, or registers with one for PC Postage, and agrees with USPS to the rules for its use.11DMM 604: Postage Payment Methods and Refunds“A meter lease or rental agreement with an authorized provider is required for postage meter use. Registration with an authorized provider is required for PC Postage system use. … Customers must enter into an agreement with the USPS for authorization to use postage evidencing systems.”USPS original A meter or PC Postage system can't be bought: it is rented or leased.11DMM 604: Postage Payment Methods and Refunds“Postage evidencing systems are rented or leased. They may not be purchased, sold, or resold.”USPS original

What happens to mail with no postage?

USPS endorses a piece that arrives without postage Returned for Postage and returns it to the sender without trying to deliver it.11DMM 604: Postage Payment Methods and Refunds“Except under 8.4, matter of any class, including that for which extra services are indicated, received at the office of mailing or office of address without postage, is endorsed “Returned for Postage” and is returned to the sender without an attempt at delivery.”USPS original A piece with no return address, or one addressed to its own sender, becomes dead mail, which USPS can neither deliver nor return.11DMM 604: Postage Payment Methods and Refunds“If no return address is shown, or the delivery and return addresses are identical, or the delivery and return addresses are different but for the same person or organization, the piece is treated as dead mail.”USPS original12Publication 32: Glossary of Postal Termspage 57“Mail that is undeliverable as addressed or undeliverable at a forwarding address and cannot be returned to the sender (usually because there is no return address on the piece or the classification of the mail does not entitle it to return service).”USPS original Mail with some postage but not enough is shortpaid instead: USPS returns it to the mailer or collects the postage due from the addressee.13Publication 32: Glossary of Postal Termspage 205“Mail with insufficient postage that is either returned to the mailer for additional postage if identified at the mailing office or delivered to the addressee after the collection of the additional postage due.”USPS original

Is there a fee for a USPS bulk mail permit?

Yes: as of July 12, 2026, a permit imprint application costs $390.00 once, and First-Class Mail presort and USPS Marketing Mail mailing fees cost $390.00 a year each.14PRC: Mail Classification Schedule through July 12, 2026 (docx, converted to HTML with mammoth)“Revisions Through July 12, 2026 … Application to Use Permit Imprint (one-time only) | 390.00 … First-Class Mail Presort Mailing Fee (per year) | 390.00 … USPS Marketing Mail Mailing Fee (per year) | 390.00”USPS original6Election Mail Permit Based SolutionsPDF page 1“There is a one-time application fee to establish a Permit Imprint permit.”USPS original

Meter and precanceled stamp permits have no application fee.6Election Mail Permit Based SolutionsPDF page 1“There is no application fee required to establish a Meter permit or a Precanceled Stamp permit.”USPS original The annual fee can be waived for a permit whose mail is at least 75% Full-Service eligible, with at least 90% of that mailed as Full-Service.6Election Mail Permit Based SolutionsPDF page 1“Permit Holders presenting Full-Service mailings are eligible for the waiver of annual presort mailing when 75% or more of each permit’s overall volume is Full-Service Eligible, AND 90% or more of each permit’s Full-Service Eligible mail is submitted as Full-Service.”USPS original

What is the USPS Enterprise Payment System?

The Enterprise Payment System, or EPS, lets business customers pay for USPS products and services through one account, the Enterprise Payment Account.15Enterprise Payment System (EPS) Account Creation Fact Sheet - August 2024PDF page 1“allows customers to pay for Postal products and services through a single account, called the Enterprise Payment Account (EPA).”USPS original Customers fund it by ACH Debit from their bank or by prefunding a Trust Account.16Enterprise Payment System (EPS) FAQspage 2“funded as an Automated Clearing House (ACH) Debit, which allows automatic withdrawal from your bank account, or Trust Account, which allows you to prefund your account.”USPS original EPS is open to all customers.17Enterprise Payment System (EPS) FAQspage 6“It is open to all customers.”USPS original

Can a small business get a postage meter?

Yes: a business leases a postage meter from a USPS-authorized provider, or prints PC Postage with a computer, a printer and Internet access.1Publication 32: Glossary of Postal TermsPDF page 170“Postage meters are available for lease only from authorized providers.”USPS original18Publication 32: Glossary of Postal Termspage 160“A hardware/software-based postage evidencing system offered by USPS-authorized providers (commercial vendors) for purchasing and printing Information-Based Indicia (IBI) postage from a personal computer, a printer, and Internet access.”USPS original Customers of Postage Evidencing Systems, USPS's name for meters and PC Postage, range from small home businesses to large eCommerce shippers.19PostalPro: Postage Evidencing Systems (PES)“Postage meters and PC Postage products, collectivity identified as the Postage Evidencing Systems (PES) are secure postage metering systems that generate indicia imprinted on or affixed to a shipping/mailing piece to evidence prepayment of postage.”USPS original20Importance of IMI-PC for USPSPDF page 1“PES customers range from small home businesses that send a handful of mail each week, to large eCommerce enterprises that ship thousands of packages daily.”USPS original A meter used for business mailings needs a meter permit, which has no application fee.3Election Mail Permit Based SolutionsPDF page 2“Although these payment methods can be used for all classes of mail, a permit must be granted to use the meter for business mailings.”USPS original6Election Mail Permit Based SolutionsPDF page 1“There is no application fee required to establish a Meter permit or a Precanceled Stamp permit.”USPS original

The mark on a mailpiece shows how its postage was paid, and not every payment method is allowed for every mail class.1Publication 32: Glossary of Postal TermsPDF page 170“The way in which a mailer pays postage as shown by the form of postage or indication of postage on the outside of the mailpiece such as adhesive stamp, permit imprint, precanceled stamp, metered postage, and Information-Based Indicia from PC Postage product/ services. … Not all postage payment methods are permitted for some mail classes or products.”USPS original Stamps, including precanceled stamps, are affixed to each piece, and business mailers can buy them from Stamp Fulfillment Services, a USPS unit in Kansas City.1Publication 32: Glossary of Postal TermsPDF page 170“A gummed or self-adhesive paper stamp affixed to mail as payment for postal services.”USPS original3Election Mail Permit Based SolutionsPDF page 2“With precanceled stamps, a lower rate of postage is affixed to each piece and the difference is paid when the mailing is presented.”USPS original21Election Mail Permit Based SolutionsPDF page 3“Business mailers can purchase stamps directly from USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services (SFS) and choose how their orders will be delivered.”USPS original22Publication 32: Glossary of Postal Termspage 211“A postal unit in Kansas City, MO, that supplies philatelic product orders (stamps and other items).”USPS original Postage meters and PC Postage are Postage Evidencing Systems, which print indicia, the marks that show postage was prepaid, on each piece or label.19PostalPro: Postage Evidencing Systems (PES)“Postage meters and PC Postage products, collectivity identified as the Postage Evidencing Systems (PES) are secure postage metering systems that generate indicia imprinted on or affixed to a shipping/mailing piece to evidence prepayment of postage.”USPS original23Publication 32: Glossary of Postal Termspage 102“Imprinted designation and markings on mail that denote postage payment (e.g., permit imprint, metered postage, and PC Postage products).”USPS original3Election Mail Permit Based SolutionsPDF page 2“Mailers print indicia directly on a mailpiece or on a label that is affixed to a mailpiece.”USPS original A permit imprint is printed on the piece, and the postage comes out of an account when the business presents the mailing.2USPS Picture Permit® (PPI) Product Requirementspage 5“Each mailpiece sent under this payment method must bear a permit imprint indicia showing that postage is paid. … A mailer may be authorized to mail material without affixing postage when payment is made at the time of mailing from a permit imprint advance deposit account established with USPS.”USPS original

Business mail at commercial prices needs a mailing permit, an authorization to use one payment method for business mailings.8Online Permit Creation Fact SheetPDF page 1“To mail at a discounted rate you are required to open a mailing permit.”USPS original6Election Mail Permit Based SolutionsPDF page 1“A mailing permit grants permission to use a certain postage payment method for commercial (business) mailings.”USPS original Each permit is established under one Post Office's finance number, a six-digit number that identifies a Post Office or facility.24Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 17“A Permit is established under a specific Post Office's Finance Number. … A USPS finance number is a six-digit number that identifies a United States Postal Service (USPS) Post Office or facility.”USPS original Mail Anywhere lets a mailer use one permit at any location.25PostalPro: Mail Anywhere“Mailer can use a single permit at any location via the Mail Anywhere program.”USPS original USPS Picture Permit Indicia adds a color logo to the permit imprint on automation letters and postcards, for a fee per piece.26PostalPro: USPS Picture Permit® Indicia (PPI)“Picture Permit Imprint Indicia standards allow organizations to include business-related color images, such as their organization logos, organization brand or trademarks in the permit indicia area on automation First-Class Mail® letters and postcards, and USPS Marketing Mail® letters, for a per-piece fee in addition to postage.”USPS original

Every business mailing comes with a postage statement, which reports the mail presented and the prices claimed.6Election Mail Permit Based SolutionsPDF page 1“Postage statements must be submitted for all business mailings as specified by the standards for the class of mail and the prices claimed.”USPS original1Publication 32: Glossary of Postal TermsPDF page 170“Documentation provided by a mailer to USPS that reports the type and volume of mail being presented, type of postage method used, processing category of the mail, total weight of the mailing, and other required information and certifies that the mail meets the applicable eligibility standards for the prices and fees claimed.”USPS original Permit imprint postage is paid from an advance deposit account, funds the mailer keeps with USPS.27Publication 32: Glossary of Postal Termspage 161“Payment is made against an advance deposit account that is established with USPS for postage and services.”USPS original28Publication 32: Glossary of Postal Termspage 11“A liability account into which a mailer deposits funds that are maintained by USPS to pay for future services used by the mailer such as permit imprint mailings, Business Reply Mail pieces, postage due mail, or Periodicals.”USPS original The Enterprise Payment System puts a business's permits on one account, in place of separate permit accounts at each Post Office.29Enterprise Payment System (EPS) User Guidepage 5“Commercial Mailings can now be managed with one centralized payment account eliminating multiple permit accounts at different Post Office locations.”USPS original A Priority Mail Express shipper can pay from a USPS Corporate Account without affixing postage, and funds it through the National Customer Management System.30Publication 32: Glossary of Postal Termspage 229“A funded or credit card–backed account with a corresponding account number that permits a mailer to pay postage for Priority Mail Express shipments without affixing postage.”USPS original31Express Mail Corporate Account (EMCA) Migration to National Customer Management System (NCMS)PDF page 1“This document provides the steps EMCA customers need to complete in-order to use the NCMS to fund their EMCA and to delink the their EMCA from CAPS.”USPS original

When a piece enters the mail short of postage, the difference is postage due, which USPS collects from the addressee or the mailer.10Publication 32: Glossary of Postal Termspage 165“Additional postage owed USPS after the mailpiece is entered into the mailstream.”USPS original13Publication 32: Glossary of Postal Termspage 205“Mail with insufficient postage that is either returned to the mailer for additional postage if identified at the mailing office or delivered to the addressee after the collection of the additional postage due.”USPS original

A postage stamp is a paper stamp affixed to mail as payment for postal services.1Publication 32: Glossary of Postal TermsPDF page 170“A gummed or self-adhesive paper stamp affixed to mail as payment for postal services.”USPS original A precanceled stamp is canceled before USPS sells it to mailers for bulk mailings, so the pieces skip the canceling machine.32Publication 32: Glossary of Postal TermsPDF page 180“A postage stamp canceled by marking across the face before it is sold to mailers for use with bulk mailings. … Mailpieces with these stamps do not go through a canceling machine at the time of mail processing.”USPS original Each piece carries a lower amount, and the mailer pays the difference when it presents the mailing, by check, meter strip or advance deposit account.3Election Mail Permit Based SolutionsPDF page 2“With precanceled stamps, a lower rate of postage is affixed to each piece and the difference is paid when the mailing is presented. … The postage difference can be paid with a check, a meter strip, or through an advanced deposit (permit) account.”USPS original

Precanceled postage can pay for mailings at presorted and automation First-Class Mail prices and at all USPS Marketing Mail prices.11DMM 604: Postage Payment Methods and Refunds“precanceled postage is an optional postage payment method for mailings at Presorted and automation First-Class Mail prices and at all USPS Marketing Mail prices.”USPS original USPS Marketing Mail was called Standard Mail until January 22, 2017.33Intelligent Mail® Package Barcode (IMpb) ACS™ Technical Guidepage 3“On January 22, 2017, Standard Mail® underwent a name change and was rebranded as USPS Marketing Mail™”USPS original

Business mailers can buy stamps, including precanceled stamps, directly from USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services.21Election Mail Permit Based SolutionsPDF page 3“Special Precanceled Stamp Order Processing for Business Mailers … Business mailers can purchase stamps directly from USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services (SFS) and choose how their orders will be delivered.”USPS original Precanceled stamps can't be paid for by credit card.21Election Mail Permit Based SolutionsPDF page 3“However, Precanceled stamps cannot be purchased with a credit card.”USPS original Mailers order through a StampsNow account with Stamp Fulfillment Services, and StampsNow purchases can be paid from an Enterprise Payment Account.21Election Mail Permit Based SolutionsPDF page 3“STEP 1 - establish a Stamps Now® account with SFS, no set-up fee”USPS original34Enterprise Payment System (EPS) FAQspage 5“The StampsNow system has been integrated with EPS to enable payment for purchases using your EPA.”USPS original A mailer that buys precanceled stamps at a Post Office with cash advances keeps doing so there, outside EPS.34Enterprise Payment System (EPS) FAQspage 5“Cash advances for precanceled stamps – if doing this at the Post Office today, continue to do so – it would be outside of EPS.”USPS original

Postage meters and PC Postage are Postage Evidencing Systems: they print indicia, the markings on mail that show postage was paid.19PostalPro: Postage Evidencing Systems (PES)“Postage meters and PC Postage products, collectivity identified as the Postage Evidencing Systems (PES) are secure postage metering systems that generate indicia imprinted on or affixed to a shipping/mailing piece to evidence prepayment of postage.”USPS original23Publication 32: Glossary of Postal Termspage 102“Imprinted designation and markings on mail that denote postage payment (e.g., permit imprint, metered postage, and PC Postage products).”USPS original Mailers print the indicia on the piece or on a label, in its upper-right corner.3Election Mail Permit Based SolutionsPDF page 2“Mailers print indicia directly on a mailpiece or on a label that is affixed to a mailpiece. … Mailers must place indicia in the upper-right corner of the mailpiece or label.”USPS original Metered postage can pay for any mail class except Periodicals and Bound Printed Matter.35Publication 32: Glossary of Postal Termspage 133“Any mail class or product (except Periodicals and Bound Printed Matter) with postage printed with a USPS-approved postage meter or PC Postage product/system.”USPS original Business mailings need a meter permit and special rate markings, which the meter can print.3Election Mail Permit Based SolutionsPDF page 2“Although these payment methods can be used for all classes of mail, a permit must be granted to use the meter for business mailings. … Special rate markings are required for business mailings that can be applied with a meter stamp.”USPS original

In December 2020, two USPS standards were in use for these systems: Information-Based Indicia, begun in 1999, and Intelligent Mail Indicia, introduced in 2013.20Importance of IMI-PC for USPSPDF page 1“Currently there are two types of PC in use for PES: 1) Information Based Indicia Program (IBIP) and 2) Intelligent Mail Indicia - Performance Criteria (IMI-PC). … Mail Entry and Payment Technology December 2020 … The IBIP was established in 1999 and ushered in the transition from mechanical PES to digital PES. … The IMI-PC was introduced in 2013 and meets current USPS business needs.”USPS original USPS was replacing every system built on the first with one built on the second.20Importance of IMI-PC for USPSPDF page 1“As a result, the USPS is working closely with PES providers to replace all IBIP based PES with IMI-PC based PES.”USPS original

Customers reset a meter at their place of business through the Computerized Meter Resetting System.36Publication 32: Glossary of Postal Termspage 46“An electronic system that permits users of approved postage evidencing systems to reset such devices at their places of business.”USPS original A PC Postage account can request its funds from an Enterprise Payment Account.37EPS - PC Postage Fact SheetPDF page 1“EPS allows customers to pay for Postal mailing and shipping products and fund their PC Postage Account through a single account, called the Enterprise Payment Account (EPA). … Log into your PC Postage Account and request funding from your EPA”USPS original

A mailing permit lets a business pay for its business mailings by one payment method.6Election Mail Permit Based SolutionsPDF page 1“A mailing permit grants permission to use a certain postage payment method for commercial (business) mailings.”USPS original Business mail goes to a Business Mail Entry Unit, the USPS office that receives, verifies and accepts bulk mail, with a postage statement.6Election Mail Permit Based SolutionsPDF page 1“All business mail must be brought to a Business Mail Entry Unit (BMEU). … Postage statements must be submitted for all business mailings as specified by the standards for the class of mail and the prices claimed.”USPS original7A Guide to Full Servicepage 101“Business Mail Entry Unit (A specialized USPS organization responsible for receiving, verifying, and accepting business (bulk) mail)”USPS original To get business prices, a First-Class Mail mailing needs at least 500 pieces, and a USPS Marketing Mail mailing 200 pieces or 50 pounds.6Election Mail Permit Based SolutionsPDF page 1“To qualify for business mail postage discounts, a minimum number of pieces is required per mailing: … 500 pieces for First-Class Mail … 200 pieces (or 50 pounds of mail) for USPS Marketing Mail”USPS original

The three outgoing permit types are permit imprint, metered and precanceled, and creating any one of them online creates all three.39Online Permit Creation Fact SheetPDF page 2“Outgoing Permits: PI—Permit Imprint, MT—Metered, PC – Precanceled … Selecting any one of the permit types would result in creation of all three permit types for future mailings.”USPS original A business that opens a permit without linking it to an Enterprise Payment Account must pay the permit fees at its Business Mail Entry Unit.39Online Permit Creation Fact SheetPDF page 2“Permit Only— if you do not want to link to an EPS Account … Note: With this option, you must pay the fees at your BMEU.”USPS original

A mail service provider is a business that mails for mail owners, the businesses that decide what a mailpiece says and pay its postage.40Quick Step Guide to Mailer Identifier (MID) and/or CRID Acquisitionpage 1“a business entity, organization, or individual acting on behalf of one or more Mail Owners by providing mailing services for which the Mail Owners compensate the Mail Service Provider. … the business entity, organization, or individual who makes business decisions regarding the mailpiece content, directly benefits from the mailing, and ultimately pays for the postage on the mailpiece directly or by way of a Mail Service Provider”USPS original A provider can still take a completed PS Form 3615 and a check to its Business Mail Entry Unit to open a mail owner's permit.41Enterprise Payment System (EPS) FAQspage 7“Yes, MSPs can still take a completed PS Form 3615 and a check to their local BMEU to open a permit on behalf of the MO.”USPS original To pay through EPS, that permit needs the mail owner's own Enterprise Payment Account.42Enterprise Payment System (EPS) FAQspage 13“The mail owner would need to set up their EPA or the MSP could open the permit under their CRID and EPA.”USPS original The provider can instead open the permit under its own account and its own Customer Registration ID, the number that identifies a business location.42Enterprise Payment System (EPS) FAQspage 13“The mail owner would need to set up their EPA or the MSP could open the permit under their CRID and EPA.”USPS original43CRID ManagementPDF page 1“A CRID is a unique ID number issued to identify a customer’s physical business location”USPS original

A permit's finance number, the six-digit number of the Post Office it is established under, appears on a finalized postage statement.24Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 17“A Permit is established under a specific Post Office's Finance Number. … A USPS finance number is a six-digit number that identifies a United States Postal Service (USPS) Post Office or facility. … This 6-digit number can be located on a finalized postage statement/receipt”USPS original Its first two digits are a state or project code.44Publication 32: Glossary of Postal Termspage 83“The first two digits are a state or project code; the next four are uniquely assigned from 0001 through 9999 to each installation in alphabetic order.”USPS original USPS gives each combination of permit number, permit type and finance number its own account number of 6 or 7 digits.45Mail.dat Technical Specifications R65.0.0.0page 176“The Account number is sometimes referred to as the national Account Number as it is a unique 6-7 digit number assigned to each permit number, permit type, and finance number combination.”USPS original Once a permit is linked to an Enterprise Payment Account, that account's 10-digit number replaces this account number.45Mail.dat Technical Specifications R65.0.0.0page 176“If the permit number has been linked to a EPS account, then the EPS account number replaces the display of the national Account number and should be used in the .mpa Payment Account Number instead. … The EPS account number is a 10-digit number.”USPS original The Business Customer Gateway shows the 10-digit number, and eDoc, the electronic postage statement, should carry it.42Enterprise Payment System (EPS) FAQspage 13“Yes, this will be updated to include the 10 Digit EPA.”USPS original45Mail.dat Technical Specifications R65.0.0.0page 176“If the permit number has been linked to a EPS account, then the EPS account number replaces the display of the national Account number and should be used in the .mpa Payment Account Number instead.”USPS original46Electronic Documentation (eDoc) Fact SheetPDF page 1“an electronic postage statement that may also contain specific information about a mailing such as barcode information and qualification reports”USPS original

A business finds its permits' accounts and finance numbers in the Business Customer Gateway, under Manage Permits in Mailing Services.24Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 17“or it can also be located in your Business Customer Gateway account under "Manage Permits" which is located under "Mailing Services". … You will need to click on your business name hyperlink and scroll down toward the bottom to see your list of accounts.”USPS original A registered mail service provider looks up a permit's owner with Permit Lookup, in the Business Customer Gateway's Customer Validation Tool.47Customer Registration Identification (CRID) and Mailer Identifier (MID) Acquisition Fact SheetPDF page 2“Registered Mail Service Providers have the ability to conduct queries of customer identifiers to validate the data of their Mail Owners. … To use this service, log-in to the Business Customer Gateway at https://www.gateway.usps.com/ (Note: the MSP indicator in the account profile must be checked to enable this service) … Enter the identifying permit information to retrieve the CRID, Company Name, & Address of the business location that owns the permit”USPS original It returns the name and address of the business location that owns the permit.47Customer Registration Identification (CRID) and Mailer Identifier (MID) Acquisition Fact SheetPDF page 2“Enter the identifying permit information to retrieve the CRID, Company Name, & Address of the business location that owns the permit”USPS original

A permit imprint is a postage payment mark that authorized mailers use instead of a postage stamp or meter stamp.48How to Create an EDDM Bulk MailingPDF page 2“A permit imprint indicia is a postage payment mark that authorized mailers may use instead of a postage or meter stamp.”USPS original It shows the mail class, U. S. POSTAGE PAID and the permit's city, state and number.4USPS Picture Permit® Indicia (PPI) Technical Requirements Version 8.0PDF page 2“MAIL CLASS (in ALL CAPS) U. S. POSTAGE PAID CITY, STATE (ZIP CODE optional) PERMIT NO.”USPS original A company permit imprint may show the company name in place of the city, state and permit number.49USPS Picture Permit® Indicia (PPI) FAQsPDF page 2“All existing permit indicia markings are still required, including the mail class, U.S. Postage Paid, City, State, and Permit Number or the company name in lieu of city, state, and permit number when using a company permit imprint as per Sect. 604.5.3.9 of the DMM.”USPS original

Seamless Acceptance is a USPS program that automates the entry and verification of commercial mailings.50PostalPro: Seamless Acceptance“Seamless Acceptance automates the entry and verification of commercial mailings by leveraging electronic documentation, Intelligent Mail barcodes (IMbs), and information collected from handheld sampling devices and mail processing equipment scans.”USPS original11DMM 604: Postage Payment Methods and Refunds“All pieces in a permit-imprint mailing must be of identical weight, except for pieces from mailers participating in the Seamless Acceptance Program for letters and flats and USPS SHIP for parcels.”USPS original USPS Ship is the USPS platform for commercial package payment and verification.51PostalPro: USPS Ship“USPS Ship is a modernized platform enabling commercial package payment, verification, and end-to-end visibility for a wide array of domestic and international products.”USPS original Pieces from their mailers are the two exceptions to the weight rule for permit imprint mailings.11DMM 604: Postage Payment Methods and Refunds“All pieces in a permit-imprint mailing must be of identical weight, except for pieces from mailers participating in the Seamless Acceptance Program for letters and flats and USPS SHIP for parcels.”USPS original

Before this rule took effect, USPS Product Acceptance could authorize other exceptions.3Election Mail Permit Based SolutionsPDF page 2“All pieces in a permit imprint mailing must be of identical weight unless otherwise authorized by USPS Product Acceptance.”USPS original

With Mail Anywhere, a mailer can shift mail from one site to another without opening a permit at the new site or changing the imprint.25PostalPro: Mail Anywhere“Mailers will have greater flexibility in managing their production since they can shift mail from one site to another without having to open another permit at a new site or change the imprint on the mail.”USPS original

The annual fee covers the permit for 12 months and is due by the first mailing.6Election Mail Permit Based SolutionsPDF page 1“The annual mailing fee is class based and covers the permit for 12 months. … The annual mailing fee is due at the time, or before, the first mailing is presented.”USPS original First-Class Mail and USPS Marketing Mail pay separate annual fees.21Election Mail Permit Based SolutionsPDF page 3“First-Class Mail and Marketing Mail require separate annual mailing fees.”USPS original Mailers with an Enterprise Payment Account can pay the permit imprint application fee and annual fees online in the Business Customer Gateway.52Pay Permit Fees and Auto-Fee Renewal Fact SheetPDF page 1“Mailers with an EPA can pay their permit imprint application fee and annual permit fees online through the Business Customer Gateway (BCG).”USPS original

An advance deposit account holds a mailer's funds with USPS to pay for permit imprint mailings, Business Reply Mail and postage due mail.28Publication 32: Glossary of Postal Termspage 11“A liability account into which a mailer deposits funds that are maintained by USPS to pay for future services used by the mailer such as permit imprint mailings, Business Reply Mail pieces, postage due mail, or Periodicals.”USPS original A permit's deposits are made at its own Post Office, unless its postage is paid from an Enterprise Payment Account.54Mail Anywhere Fact SheetPDF page 1“Deposits must continue to be made at the Post Office of permit unless payment is taken from an Enterprise Payment System (EPS) account.”USPS original

The Enterprise Payment System, or EPS, pays for a business's USPS products and services from one Enterprise Payment Account.15Enterprise Payment System (EPS) Account Creation Fact Sheet - August 2024PDF page 1“allows customers to pay for Postal products and services through a single account, called the Enterprise Payment Account (EPA).”USPS original A permit pays through EPS once it is linked to the account, and EPS keeps the balance for the account, not for each permit.17Enterprise Payment System (EPS) FAQspage 6“Permits linked to EPS will use the EPS account for payment.”USPS original55Enterprise Payment System (EPS) FAQspage 17“EPS maintains balance at the EPA level rather than at the individual permit.”USPS original EPS also pays for PO Boxes, address quality products and PC Postage.56Publication 199: Intelligent Mail Package Barcode (IMpb) Implementation Guide for Confirmation Services and Electronic Payment Systemspage 32“EPS supports commercial, domestic and international products and services which includes First-Class Mail®, USPS Marketing Mail™, Periodicals, PO Boxes, Caller Services and Reserve Services (EPOBOL) and Address Quality Products, (ACS, AEC, AECII).”USPS original37EPS - PC Postage Fact SheetPDF page 1“EPS allows customers to pay for Postal mailing and shipping products and fund their PC Postage Account through a single account, called the Enterprise Payment Account (EPA).”USPS original

Six kinds of permit can pay through EPS:16Enterprise Payment System (EPS) FAQspage 2“EPS supports the following permit types: Permit Imprint (PI), Metered (MT), Precanceled Stamps (PC), Periodicals (PE and PP), Postage Due and Business Reply Mail.”USPS original

• permit imprint
• metered
• precanceled stamps
• Periodicals, including the pending Periodicals permit that lets an applicant mail while it awaits a decision57Periodicals: Application Process - Frequently Asked QuestionsPDF page 2“Upon submission of the PS Form 3500 Application for Periodicals Mailing Privileges and payment of the application fee, a Pending Periodicals (PP) permit will be issued which allows the applicant to mail while awaiting a decision.”USPS original
• Postage Due
• Business Reply Mail

The account is funded by ACH Debit or by a Trust Account.16Enterprise Payment System (EPS) FAQspage 2“funded as an Automated Clearing House (ACH) Debit, which allows automatic withdrawal from your bank account, or Trust Account, which allows you to prefund your account.”USPS original With ACH Debit, EPS adds up each day's transactions and withdraws the total from the customer's bank.58Enterprise Payment System-ACS/AEC FactsheetPDF page 2“Daily transactions are aggregated and withdrawn at 6 pm EST directly from the customer’s linked bank account.”USPS original A Trust Account is an advance deposit account inside EPS: the customer deposits funds, and each transaction comes out of the balance.59Enterprise Payment System (EPS) User Guidepage 59“Determine the Payment Method: ACH Debit (direct daily debit from a corporate bank account) or Trust (advanced deposit account) to fund purchases paid through EPS”USPS original58Enterprise Payment System-ACS/AEC FactsheetPDF page 2“Funds are deposited with USPS and transactions are deducted from the available balance.”USPS original ACH Debit is the method customers use most.60Enterprise Payment System (EPS) FAQspage 12“ACH Debit is the most frequently used method.”USPS original USPS pays no interest on Trust balances.42Enterprise Payment System (EPS) FAQspage 13“No interest will be paid on balances.”USPS original

EPS reports show only EPS transactions.61Enterprise Payment System (EPS) User Guidepage 38“Enterprise Payment reports will display only Enterprise Payment transactions, while PostalOne! reports will display both PostalOne! and Enterprise Payment transactions.”USPS original Deposits into a Trust Account appear in the Transaction History Report, the high-level view of all product and service transactions.62Enterprise Payment System (EPS) FAQspage 15“Funds deposited into the EPS Trust will be reflected in the EPS Transaction History Report.”USPS original61Enterprise Payment System (EPS) User Guidepage 38“The Transaction History Report is a high-level view of all product and service transactions that can be filtered using the Search field and sorted by clicking on the Column Headers and exported as an Excel, CSV or PDF file.”USPS original At 100% scale, part of an EPS report falls outside the print window, so the scale must be reduced to fit it on one page.55Enterprise Payment System (EPS) FAQspage 17“Below, at 100% scale, part of the report is not in the print window. The scale must be reduced for the report to fit on one page.”USPS original In the print window, the user picks Custom Scale and lowers the percentage until the whole report shows on one page.55Enterprise Payment System (EPS) FAQspage 17“In the Print Window, select Custom Scale and decrease the percentage until the page is scaled to display the report fully on one page.”USPS original

The Centralized Account Processing System, or CAPS, is a postage payment system that funds permit imprint, Business Reply Mail and postage due accounts.63Publication 32: Glossary of Postal Termspage 35“A postage payment system that business mailers can use to fund permit imprint, Business Reply Mail service, Merchandise Return Service, postage due, USPS Corporate Accounts, and Address Element Correction.”USPS original It is an electronic alternative to paying with checks and cash at many Post Offices.63Publication 32: Glossary of Postal Termspage 35“CAPS is an electronic alternative to presenting checks and cash for postage and fees at multiple Post Offices.”USPS original It offers an account funded before mailing, or a debit account at the customer's bank.63Publication 32: Glossary of Postal Termspage 35“CAPS offers two account types: a centralized trust fund account using electronic funds transfer to the CAPS bank prior to mailing and a centralized debit account in which a customer designates a debit-enabled bank account for postage charges.”USPS original In October 2020, USPS planned to retire CAPS in the summer of 2021.31Express Mail Corporate Account (EMCA) Migration to National Customer Management System (NCMS)PDF page 1“Mail Entry and Payment Technology October 2020 … The CAPS system will retire in the summer of 2021.”USPS original

A business funds a USPS Corporate Account through the National Customer Management System, and pays for Priority Mail Express shipments from it without affixing postage.31Express Mail Corporate Account (EMCA) Migration to National Customer Management System (NCMS)PDF page 1“This document provides the steps EMCA customers need to complete in-order to use the NCMS to fund their EMCA and to delink the their EMCA from CAPS.”USPS original30Publication 32: Glossary of Postal Termspage 229“A funded or credit card–backed account with a corresponding account number that permits a mailer to pay postage for Priority Mail Express shipments without affixing postage.”USPS original That system lets Stamp Fulfillment Services work with other USPS organizations on national programs.64PostalPro: Stamp Fulfillment Services“The National Customer Management System (NCMS) enables SFS to partner with internal Postal Service organizations to implement national programs in support of corporate initiatives.”USPS original In it, a customer pays by credit card or by ACH debit or credit.31Express Mail Corporate Account (EMCA) Migration to National Customer Management System (NCMS)PDF page 1“Customers can use Credit Card or Automated Clearing House (ACH)-debit/credit for establishing payment method in NCMS.”USPS original Customers who funded the account through CAPS had to move it to that system.31Express Mail Corporate Account (EMCA) Migration to National Customer Management System (NCMS)PDF page 1“Current Priority Mail Express (PME) customers who are using CAPS to fund their EMCA need to start using the USPS National Customer Management System (NCMS) to fund their EMCA.”USPS original

Centralized Postage Payment lets publishers of Periodicals entered at three or more Post Offices pay postage at one USPS office instead of at each entry Post Office.65Publication 32: Glossary of Postal Termspage 36“A postage payment system that allows publishers of authorized Periodicals publications entered at three or more Post Offices to pay postage at the Pricing and Classification Service Center rather than through individual accounts maintained at each entry Post Office if they meet certain requirements concerning multiple plants and/or multiple publications at multiple sites.”USPS original Through EPS, such a publisher is charged when a payment is scheduled, or else 28 days after the mailing date.66Enterprise Payment System (EPS) FAQspage 4“The funds will be withdrawn when the mailer/BMEU schedules a payment/if a payment is not scheduled then the mailer will be charged 28 days from the mailing date on the postage statement”USPS original

Postage due is the additional postage a piece owes after it enters the mailstream without enough postage.10Publication 32: Glossary of Postal Termspage 165“Additional postage owed USPS after the mailpiece is entered into the mailstream.”USPS original Mail that owes it is shortpaid mail, also called postage due mail.10Publication 32: Glossary of Postal Termspage 165“Also called shortpaid mail.”USPS original Mail that arrives with no postage at all is omitted postage.68Publication 32: Glossary of Postal Termspage 151“Matter of any class, including that for which Special Services are indicated, received at either the office of mailing or office of address without postage.”USPS original

USPS marks a shortpaid piece with the postage and fees it lacks.9Publication 32: Glossary of Postal Termspage 104“Such mail is marked to show the total (rounded off) deficiency of postage and fees.”USPS original Fewer than 10 such pieces are delivered once the addressee pays the charges marked on them.9Publication 32: Glossary of Postal Termspage 104“Individual such pieces (or quantities fewer than 10) are delivered to the addressee on payment of the charges marked on the mail.”USPS original For a mailing of 10 or more, USPS notifies the mailer so the postage can be adjusted before dispatch.9Publication 32: Glossary of Postal Termspage 104“For mailings of 10 or more pieces, the mailer is notified so that the postage charges may be adjusted before dispatch.”USPS original A piece caught at the mailing office goes back to the mailer for more postage.13Publication 32: Glossary of Postal Termspage 205“Mail with insufficient postage that is either returned to the mailer for additional postage if identified at the mailing office or delivered to the addressee after the collection of the additional postage due.”USPS original Revenue assurance is the USPS policy of finding uncanceled stamps and misclassified mail, and collecting postage and fees for unpaid or shortpaid mail.69Publication 32: Glossary of Postal Termspage 193“An ongoing policy to prevent the loss of revenue by identifying uncanceled postage stamps, and misclassified mail and collecting postage and fees for unpaid or shortpaid mail”USPS original

A business can pay for postage due mail from an advance deposit account, and Postage Due accounts can move into EPS.28Publication 32: Glossary of Postal Termspage 11“A liability account into which a mailer deposits funds that are maintained by USPS to pay for future services used by the mailer such as permit imprint mailings, Business Reply Mail pieces, postage due mail, or Periodicals.”USPS original16Enterprise Payment System (EPS) FAQspage 2“Postage Due can be migrated to EPS.”USPS original A meter or precanceled stamp mailing that owes additional postage can pay it with a combination of permits or payment types.34Enterprise Payment System (EPS) FAQspage 5“No, you can use a combination of permits/payment types when entering a statement with additional postage due.”USPS original USPS encourages linking every permit to an Enterprise Payment Account so that all postage statements finalize properly.34Enterprise Payment System (EPS) FAQspage 5“However, EPS users are encouraged to link all permits to an EPA to ensure that all postage statements finalize properly.”USPS original

Refunds go directly to the Enterprise Payment Account, and a reversal is processed to the original EPS payment method.62Enterprise Payment System (EPS) FAQspage 15“Refunds will be made directly to your EPA. … The reversal will be processed to the original EPS payment method.”USPS original Value added refunds, the postage USPS returns to a mailer who sorts customers' metered mail to a finer level, are deposited there too.70Publication 32: Glossary of Postal TermsPDF page 234“The postage returned by USPS to an authorized mailer or service provider who prepares metered First-Class Mail or Standard Mail pieces received from customers and adds value to the mail by sorting it to a finer level or moving it to an automation category.”USPS original62Enterprise Payment System (EPS) FAQspage 15“VARs will now be deposited into your EPA, eliminating the need to cut a paper check.”USPS original

A mailing that an Enterprise Payment System Trust Account cannot cover is held until funds are added.71Enterprise Payment System (EPS) FAQspage 8“Yes, the process will remain the same as it is today.”USPS original USPS encourages an ACH Debit backup, which then pays the whole transaction from the bank.71Enterprise Payment System (EPS) FAQspage 8“We encourage mailers to use ACH Debit as a Backup payment method. … With an ACH Debit Backup assigned, if the EPS Trust has insufficient to cover a transaction, the entire transaction will be pulled from the ACH Debit Backup Payment Method.”USPS original A Trust Account can go negative if an acceptance employee at the Business Mail Entry Unit performs an override.42Enterprise Payment System (EPS) FAQspage 13“It can if an override is performed by the BMEU acceptance employee.”USPS original

Business mailings cannot be entered at commercial prices until the permit's annual mailing fee is paid.21Election Mail Permit Based SolutionsPDF page 3“Business mailings cannot be entered at commercial prices until the annual mailing fee is paid.”USPS original A permit is canceled when a 2-year period passes with no mailings and no annual fee payments.21Election Mail Permit Based SolutionsPDF page 3“Note: If no mailings are entered and no annual fee payments are made during a 2-year period, the permit is canceled.”USPS original Permits linked to an Enterprise Payment Account can be enrolled in Auto-Fee Renewal, which pays their fees automatically.52Pay Permit Fees and Auto-Fee Renewal Fact SheetPDF page 1“Mailers also have an option to make a one-time fee payment or enroll / unenroll single or multiple permits linked to an EPA using Auto-Fee Renewal feature.”USPS original If EPS declines one of those payments, every enrolled permit is unenrolled.72Pay Permit Fees and Auto-Fee Renewal Fact SheetPDF page 3“If the Auto Fee Renewal Payment request from EPS is declined (i.e. ACH Debit Return, Suspended/ Inactive EPS, Insufficient Funds) all enrolled permits will be auto unenrolled from Auto Fee Renewal”USPS original

A permit with a negative balance cannot be linked to an Enterprise Payment Account, and an inactive permit does not migrate to one.41Enterprise Payment System (EPS) FAQspage 7“Note that users cannot link a permit with a negative balance.”USPS original59Enterprise Payment System (EPS) User Guidepage 59“Permits will not migrate to Enterprise Payment Account if they are inactive or have a negative balance”USPS original USPS can suspend an Enterprise Payment Account while it researches unauthorized activity.73Enterprise Payment System (EPS) FAQspage 16“If any unauthorized activity occurs USPS can suspend the account while researching the suspicious transaction.”USPS original

A Mail Anywhere mailing must identify the account number of the paying permit.74Mail Anywhere Fact SheetPDF page 2“The account number of the permit holder’s permit (paying permit) must be identified.”USPS original If the number does not match the paying permit, the mailing triggers an error and USPS does not process it.74Mail Anywhere Fact SheetPDF page 2“Customer populates the Account Number field in the .mpa record with an Account Number that does not match the paying permit in the .mpa record. … An error message would be triggered, and the Mail Anywhere job would not be processed.”USPS original

A meter's postal security device, the part that keeps the accounting of postal funds, stops printing postage if someone tampers with it.75Publication 32: Glossary of Postal Termspage 171“A USPS-approved highly secure component in a postage meter (postage evidencing system) or PC Postage product/service that manages the accounting of postal funds. … The PSD has a self-disabling feature that prohibits the printing of postage when specific programmed requirements are not met or if attempted tampering occurs.”USPS original USPS regulates Postage Evidencing Systems and their use to protect postal revenue.19PostalPro: Postage Evidencing Systems (PES)“The USPS regulates PES and their use to protect postal revenue in accordance to US Code of Federation Regulations, 39 CFR Part 501.”USPS original

Mail quality results in the Mailer Scorecard, a monthly view of a mailer's letter and flat mailings, decide when USPS assesses additional postage.76Request a Review of a Postage AssessmentPDF page 1“Mail quality results displayed in the Mailer Scorecard are used to determine when additional postage should be assessed.”USPS original25PostalPro: Mail Anywhere“The Mailer Scorecard provides a dashboard view of the results of the letter and flat mailing activity with the Postal Service over a calendar month.”USPS original USPS assesses nothing while errors stay below its threshold.76Request a Review of a Postage AssessmentPDF page 1“If the percentage of errors is below the established threshold or if the additional postage due is less than $500 cumulative across Full-Service, eInduction, and Seamless/Automated Verifications, and less than $50 for Move Update, then no additional postage is assessed.”USPS original

eInduction checks the payment and preparation of commercial mail containers with eDoc, container barcodes and handheld scanners.50PostalPro: Seamless Acceptance“The electronic Induction (eInduction) process simplifies the induction of drop shipments and expedited plant load mailings by leveraging existing eDoc, Intelligent Mail Container barcode (IMcb), and handheld scanner technologies to verify payment and preparation of commercial mail containers.”USPS original Seamless Acceptance compares a mailer's electronic postage statement with mailpiece data USPS gathers during processing.77Seamless Acceptance: Mailer Fact SheetPDF page 1“Seamless Acceptance allows the USPS and mailers to answer 3 key questions by comparing information submitted in the electronic postage statement to mailpiece characteristic data obtained during mail processing.”USPS original USPS also assesses nothing while the additional postage due stays under $500 in total across Full-Service, eInduction and Seamless verifications.76Request a Review of a Postage AssessmentPDF page 1“If the percentage of errors is below the established threshold or if the additional postage due is less than $500 cumulative across Full-Service, eInduction, and Seamless/Automated Verifications, and less than $50 for Move Update, then no additional postage is assessed.”USPS original For Move Update verifications, the limit is $50.76Request a Review of a Postage AssessmentPDF page 1“If the percentage of errors is below the established threshold or if the additional postage due is less than $500 cumulative across Full-Service, eInduction, and Seamless/Automated Verifications, and less than $50 for Move Update, then no additional postage is assessed.”USPS original