Mail Growth Incentives

The program has two parts: the First-Class Mail Growth Incentive and the Marketing Mail Growth Incentive.4Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 3“On September 27, 2023, the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) approved the request by the United States Postal Service (USPS) to update the Mail Classification Schedule (MCS) by establishing two separate Mail Growth Incentives (MGI): the First-Class Mail Growth Incentive and the Marketing Mail Growth Incentive.”USPS original The Postal Regulatory Commission approved both on September 27, 2023.4Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 3“On September 27, 2023, the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) approved the request by the United States Postal Service (USPS) to update the Mail Classification Schedule (MCS) by establishing two separate Mail Growth Incentives (MGI): the First-Class Mail Growth Incentive and the Marketing Mail Growth Incentive.”USPS original They run at the same time, but they are separate offers that cannot be combined.4Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 3“These are separate offers that run concurrently and cannot be combined.”USPS original In 2025, USPS asked the Commission to make the program permanent and got approval to continue it for the following calendar year.5Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 5“USPS filed with the PRC in 2025 to make the MGI Program permanent and received approval from the PRC to continue the Incentives for the following Calendar Year.”USPS original

Only Mail Owners earn postage credit.3Mail Growth Incentives Terms & ConditionsPDF page 2“Only Mail Owners are eligible to earn postage credits in a Mail Growth Incentive and all Mail Owners must agree to these terms and conditions before they can be registered in either of the Mail Growth Incentives.”USPS original A Mail Owner is the business, organization or person who decides what a mailpiece says, benefits from it and pays its postage.6Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 2“the business entity, organization, or individual who makes business decisions regarding the mail piece content, directly benefits from the mailing, and ultimately pays for the postage on the mail piece.”USPS original A Mail Service Provider, a business that mails for Mail Owners, may count as a Mail Owner only for its own or its subsidiaries' mail.6Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 2“A business entity, organization, or individual whose services define it as a Mail Service Provider may also be considered a Mail Owner, but only for its own mail or the mail of its subsidiaries.”USPS original

For calendar year 2026, growth is measured from January through December 2026.1PostalPro: Mail Growth Incentives“Incentive Performance Period | January 2026 — December 2026”USPS original The baseline period it is compared with runs from January through December 2025.1PostalPro: Mail Growth Incentives“Incentive Baseline Period | January 2025 — December 2025”USPS original Registration for 2026 runs from March through May 2026.1PostalPro: Mail Growth Incentives“Registration | March 2026 — May 2026”USPS original

USPS tracks a Mail Owner's volume in PostalOne! by its Customer Registration ID, or CRID.4Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 3“USPS tracks all mail volume through PostalOne! using the Mail Owner Customer Registration ID (CRID).”USPS original A CRID is a number that identifies a Mail Owner on its postage statements.6Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 2“CRIDs are unique numbers that identify Mail Owners by name (and location (city, state)) on Postage Statements when they submit mail, and in PostalOne! as the statement is processed, finalized and paid for.”USPS original Mail Owners register in the My Products Portal, which they reach through the Business Customer Gateway.7Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 6“During this time, Mail Owners must register for one or both Mail Growth Incentives via the My Products Portal (MPP), accessible through the Business Customer Gateway (BCG).”USPS original Once registered, a Mail Owner keeps mailing as usual.8Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 4“Once a Mail Owner is registered for an Incentive, they can continue mailing as usual.”USPS original Neither incentive asks for extra submissions with the mail or its documentation.8Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 4“Neither of the Mail Growth Incentives requires additional submissions to go along with tendering mail or mail documentation for the Program.”USPS original

Each incentive takes its own registration, and USPS calculates postage credit for each one separately.7Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 6“However, registration for each mail class must be completed separately, and postage credit will be calculated independently for each incentive.”USPS original Registrations are usually approved within one week.9Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 12“Registrations are typically approved within one week.”USPS original Complex registrations may take a month or longer.9Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 12“Complex registrations may take a month or longer.”USPS original

The First-Class Mail Growth Incentive counts presort letters, presort postcards and presort flats.4Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 3“Qualifying products for the First-Class Mail Growth Incentive include: Presort Letters Presort Postcards Presort Flats”USPS original Only commercial presort First-Class Mail qualifies.5Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 5“Only Commercial Presort First-Class Mail qualifies for the First-Class Mail Growth Incentives.”USPS original Remittance Mail, usually single-piece First-Class Mail, does not count.5Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 5“No, Remittance Mail is usually Single-Piece First-Class Mail, which is not eligible for the Mail Growth Incentives.”USPS original

The Marketing Mail Growth Incentive counts these Marketing Mail products:4Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 3“Qualifying products for the Marketing Mail Growth Incentive include: Marketing Mail Saturation Letters and Flats Marketing Mail High Density Letters and Flats Marketing Mail Letters and Flats Marketing Mail Carrier Route Marketing Mail Parcels and Saturations Parcels”USPS original

• Saturation Letters and Flats
• High Density Letters and Flats
• Letters and Flats
• Carrier Route
• Parcels and Saturation Parcels

Folded self-mailers count as letters.8Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 4“Yes, Folded Self-Mailers are classified as letters and are eligible, provided they meet the requirements for qualifying commercial volume.”USPS original Every Door Direct Mail counts when it is commercial mail, but not when it is retail mail.5Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 5“EDDM Commercial Mail qualifies for the Marketing Mail Growth Incentive, but EDDM Retail Mail does not.”USPS original Plus One Postcards do not count, because their host mailing already qualifies.8Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 4“No, Plus One Postcards, which are mailed along with a host Saturation Marriage Mail mailing, do not qualify because the host mailpiece already qualifies, and the Plus One Postcard already has a low price point.”USPS original Detached Address Labels are part of the host mailpiece and do not count on their own.5Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 5“No, Detached Address Labels are considered part of the host mail piece and do not qualify separately.”USPS original Mail that earns promotional discounts can still count toward the incentives.8Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 4“Yes, mailings eligible for promotional discounts can also participate in the Mail Growth Incentives, provided they meet the qualification requirements (see FAQ #1).”USPS original

The baseline is the volume growth is measured against: the Mail Owner's qualifying mail in the previous calendar year.10MGI Credit Claim Request Deckpage 2“Agreed Upon Baseline: the confirmed total mail volume of all qualified previous calendar year First Class or Marketing Mail the customer has agreed to.”USPS original USPS finds every CRID linked to the parent company and adds their volume into one enterprise baseline.11Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 10“USPS identifies all CRIDs associated with the parent company or enterprise through postal systems to calculate the overall baseline volume at the Mail Owner’s enterprise level.”USPS original The registering CRID is the one tied to the Business Customer Gateway account of the person who registers.11Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 10“The registering CRID is the one associated with the BCG account of the person completing the registration.”USPS original During registration, the Mail Owner sees one total volume and the number of CRIDs behind it.12Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 7“During registration, Mail Owners will see a single aggregated volume figure for all associated CRIDs, along with the number of CRIDs used to calculate the baseline.”USPS original

A Mail Owner who disagrees opens the Service Request, the record the portal creates at registration.13Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 8“Open the Service Request (SR) created during the registration submission and review the baseline volumes and CRIDs.”USPS original It selects Registration Assistance and picks an option.13Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 8“Select the button labeled “Registration Assistance” and choose the appropriate option from the drop-down list.”USPS original To dispute the number, it chooses Baseline as the discussion type and enters a proposed baseline.14Adjustments to Mail Growth Incentives Registrationpage 3“To submit a request to discuss Incorrect Baseline, select Baseline as the discussion type and complete the fields for Proposed Baseline and Additional Comments and select the Next button.”USPS original The request goes to the Program Office for approval.14Adjustments to Mail Growth Incentives Registrationpage 3“On the following screen, Customers can view their entry, Add Additional Discussions, and Submit their Discussion request to the Program Office for Approval.”USPS original USPS makes the final decision on the baseline.2Mail Growth Incentives Terms & ConditionsPDF page 3“The Postal Service will make the final decision on the baseline.”USPS original

A Mail Owner with a baseline under one million pieces can still take part.12Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 7“Mail Owners with a baseline volume below one million pieces may still participate.”USPS original One with no baseline should be ready to prove volume it mailed under another CRID.12Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 7“Mailer Owners with no baseline volume should be prepared to submit proof of mail volume processed under another CRID so that a baseline can be established.”USPS original Subsidiaries or business units may register separately, which USPS decides case by case.13Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 8“However, subsidiaries or business units may be considered for separate registration in Mail Growth Incentives on a case-by-case basis.”USPS original

The closing date of a postage statement decides whether its mail falls in the baseline period or the performance period.9Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 12“The Postage Statement closing date will serve as the official record date for determining whether a mailing falls within the baseline period or the Incentive performance period.”USPS original Mail sent before the Mail Owner registers still counts toward the year.9Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 12“Yes, all mail volume for the calendar year will be counted, including volume sent before registration.”USPS original

A Mailer ID does not carry volume on its own: mail tracked only by Mailer ID is left out.15Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 11“Mail volume tracked solely through Mailer IDs (MIDs) will not be included in MGI volume tracking.”USPS original A Mailer ID used on qualifying mail must belong to a registered Mail Owner CRID.15Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 11“If a MID is used for qualifying mail, it must belong to a registered Mail Owner CRID for the mail volume to be eligible.”USPS original

When a Mail Service Provider mails for a Mail Owner, the eDoc must give both the Mail Owner CRID and the Mail Service Provider's CRID.9Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 12“If the mail was sent BY the Mailing Agent FOR the Mail Owner, the Mail Owner CRID and the Mailing Agent CRID must be provided in their respective eDoc fields.”USPS original When the Mail Owner is also the permit holder, its permit holder CRID can serve as the Mail Owner CRID.15Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 11“If the Mail Owner is also the Permit Holder, the Permit Holder CRID that is identical to the Mail Owner CRID can be used.”USPS original Any permit may pay for the mail, as long as the registered CRID is listed correctly.16Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 15“If the Mail Owner’s registered CRID is correctly listed on the mailing statement (using By/For designation as applicable), any permit may be used for payment.”USPS original Permits play no part in registration.9Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 12“Permits are not used during the MGI registration process for either Incentive.”USPS original

Postage credit is 30% of the added pieces times the final average price paid per piece for the year.2Mail Growth Incentives Terms & ConditionsPDF page 3“The earned postage credits will be calculated as 30% of the product of (a) the incremental number of pieces and (b) the final average price paid per piece for the entire Mail Growth Incentive period.”USPS original The added pieces are those beyond the agreed baseline or one million pieces, whichever is greater.17Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 13“The Postal Service will issue a 30% postage credit based on the incremental volume for the calendar year, calculated against the greater of (a) the agreed-upon baseline volume or (b) one million pieces.”USPS original So a Mail Owner with a baseline under one million earns postage credit only on volume beyond one million pieces.18Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 14“No, Mail Owners with a baseline of fewer than one million pieces will only earn postage credit on calendar year volume that exceeds one million pieces.”USPS original There is no maximum.17Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 13“No, there is no maximum limit on the postage credit a Mail Owner can earn.”USPS original

Postage credit is figured on the combined baseline of all registered CRIDs, not CRID by CRID.18Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 14“Postage credit is calculated based on the combined baseline of all registered CRIDs and is not allocated by individual CRID.”USPS original The average price is what the Mail Owner paid after every other incentive and promotional discount.8Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 4“The final credit amount will reflect the actual price paid after the application of all other incentives and promotional discounts.”USPS original

Each claim period uses the year-to-date volume and average price up to its start.17Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 13“Postage credit for each claim period will be calculated based on the year-to-date mailed volume and actual average price paid up to the start of that period.”USPS original After the year ends, USPS adjusts the July and October postage credit up or down to match the final average price.2Mail Growth Incentives Terms & ConditionsPDF page 3“At the end of the Mail Growth Incentive performance period, any and all postage credits issued in July and/or October, of the same calendar year, will be adjusted up or down as necessary to ensure total earned postage credits issued for the entire Incentive period are based upon final average price paid per piece for the entire Mail Growth Incentive period.”USPS original Spending postage credit during the year lowers the average price per piece.19Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 16“Yes, using postage credit during the Incentive Period will reduce a Mail Owner’s calculated average actual price per piece.”USPS original A lower average price may earn less postage credit.19Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 16“A lower average price per piece may result in earning less postage credit.”USPS original

There are three claim periods: July, October, and January 15 to February 28 of the next year.20Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 17“There are three postage credit claim periods available: July, October and January 15 – February 28 of the following calendar year.”USPS original The Mail Owner claims through its registration Service Request in the My Products Portal.19Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 16“Mail Owners can claim available postage credit through their Mail Growth Incentive registration Service Request (SR) in the My Products Portal (MPP).”USPS original The baseline must be confirmed before any claim.21MGI Credit Claim Request Deckpage 3“Prior to submitting an Incentive Permit Request, the Baseline Volume on the Registration Request must be Confirmed to submit and claim credit for a permit.”USPS original

The finance number is six digits, leading zeroes included.22MGI Credit Claim Request Deckpage 4“Check the Postage statement to verify the finance number is 6 digits, include any leading zeroes.”USPS original Postage credit goes only to Permit Imprint permits, shown as PI or OI.25Mail Growth Incentives Terms & ConditionsPDF page 4“Claimed postage credits can only be issued to Permit Imprint (PI or OI) permits.”USPS original It cannot go to meter permits, because USPS cannot track whether postage credit on a meter stays in its mail class.19Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 16“No, Incentive postage credit cannot be applied to MT permits because USPS cannot track or restrict usage to ensure Marketing Mail credit is only used for Marketing Mail.”USPS original

A Mail Owner may assign postage credit to permits it does not own, such as a Mail Service Provider's.16Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 15“A Mail Owner may assign earned postage credit to one or more permits of their choice, including an MSP’s permit.”USPS original The assignment is complete only when the permit holder accepts it.16Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 15“The assignment will only be completed if the permit holder accepts it.”USPS original A Mail Service Provider must approve or reject the claim within ten business days.26MGI Credit Claim Request Deckpage 12“Mail Service Providers must approve or reject credit claim requests within ten business days of submission.”USPS original Once the holder accepts, the Mail Owner gives up all rights to that postage credit.16Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 15“Once accepted, the Mail Owner forfeits all rights to the assigned credit.”USPS original

To spend postage credit in an eDoc, the mailer enters a code in a Component Characteristics Record: MG for Marketing Mail, FG for First-Class Mail.19Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 16“To use the credit to pay for postage, mailers must indicate the appropriate code (MG or FG) in a CCR in Mail.dat/.XML.”USPS original Postal Wizard can apply postage credit too.27Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 19“Postal Wizard can be used to apply approved postage credit.”USPS original Postage credit comes off the final amount due, after all other discounts, incentives and promotions.7Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 6“The Mail Growth Incentive postage credit is applied to the final amount due on the postage statement after all other discounts, incentives, and promotions have been applied.”USPS original A mailer can apply any amount up to that total.28Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 18“Yes, the current postal system allows postage credit to be applied in any amount, up to the total amount due after all other incentives and discounts are applied.”USPS original

Marketing Mail postage credit pays for any qualifying Marketing Mail product, not only the one that earned it.28Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 18“Yes, postage credit earned under the Marketing Mail Growth Incentive can be applied to any qualifying Marketing Mail products.”USPS original The My Products Portal shows balances and usage on its MGI Credit Balance and Postage Statement tabs.27Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 19“MPP provides reporting and tracking of postage credit usage and balance through the MGI Credit Balance and Postage Statement tabs -in the My Incentives section/tile.”USPS original

USPS may withhold postage credit when mail is not entered under a registered CRID.8Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 4“Please be advised that failure to follow this process may result in earned credit being withheld.”USPS original A Mail Service Provider that leaves out the Mail Owner's registered CRID can disqualify that volume.15Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 11“Failure to do so can disqualify Mail Owner volume from the Mail Growth Incentive.”USPS original USPS has no duty to move volume from a Mail Service Provider to a Mail Owner when the By/For entry was wrong.2Mail Growth Incentives Terms & ConditionsPDF page 3“The Postal Service has no obligation to reallocate mail volume from an MSP to a Mail Owner if the By/For entry in the mailing documentation is not accurate during the Incentive performance period.”USPS original

To fix volume entered under the wrong CRID, the Mail Owner files a request in the My Products Portal under the Service Request number.16Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 15“Requests to modify calendar year mailing volumes must be submitted through the My Products Portal using the Service Request number associated with the modification.”USPS original It uploads documents that prove the right CRID and volume.16Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 15“Supporting documentation verifying the correct CRID and volume must be uploaded with the request.”USPS original Statements, reports or invoices from the Mail Service Provider that show dates and volumes are accepted.9Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 12“Acceptable documentation includes statements, reports, or invoices from the MSP showing dates and volumes of eligible mail classes/products.”USPS original

A Mail Owner without an agreed baseline by the last day of registration is not registered, even if its dispute is still open.3Mail Growth Incentives Terms & ConditionsPDF page 2“If there is no agreement on the baseline by the final day of the registration period, the Mail Owner will not be registered in the corresponding Mail Growth Incentive program even if the dispute process is ongoing.”USPS original After the baseline is agreed, no more CRIDs can be added.5Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 5“Once both parties agree on a baseline volume, no additional CRIDs can be added to an MGI Service Request.”USPS original Failing to follow any of the Terms and Conditions can disqualify the Mail Owner.25Mail Growth Incentives Terms & ConditionsPDF page 4“Failure to comply with any of the Terms & Conditions may lead to disqualification from the Mail Growth Incentive program.”USPS original

When an adjustment leaves a balance due, the Mail Owner pays it to USPS.25Mail Growth Incentives Terms & ConditionsPDF page 4“If the postage credit adjustment creates a balance due from the Mail Owner, the balance due amount will be payable to the Postal Service by the Mail Owner under existing accounts receivable/payable terms of the Postal Service.”USPS original Missing the permit deadline forfeits all remaining postage credit for that incentive.25Mail Growth Incentives Terms & ConditionsPDF page 4“Failure to designate a mailing permit within the required time period will result in forfeiture of all remaining earned postage credits for the particular Mail Growth Incentive.”USPS original Postage credit cannot pay for adjustment transactions such as residual postage, which take Enterprise Payment System funds.29Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 20“Adjustment transactions must be paid using EPS funds and cannot be covered by MGI postage credit, regardless of the permit type or availability of credit on a PI permit.”USPS original

A rejected claim comes back by email with a rejection reason and decision notes.30MGI Credit Claim Request Deckpage 8“Users will receive an email if the request has been rejected by the Program Office with information that includes the Rejection Reason, Decision Notes, a Link to the Credit Claim record and details on how to request further assistance.”USPS original When a Mail Service Provider rejects a claim, its status becomes Rejected by MSP.31MGI Credit Claim Request Deckpage 14“The Status on the request will update to Rejected by MSP.”USPS original Once a claim is approved for a permit, its postage credit cannot move to another permit.27Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 19“No, once an MGI earned postage credit is claimed and approved for a specific permit, it cannot be transferred.”USPS original

The Program Office takes requests to discuss a registration through its Service Request.1PostalPro: Mail Growth Incentives“MGI Customers can submit multiple requests to the Program Office to initiate discussions for adjusting existing Incentives Registration service requests that are in review.”USPS original A Mail Service Provider that believes it qualifies should contact the Program Office.29Mail Growth Incentives FAQspage 20“MSPs that believe they qualify for participation should contact the Program Office to discuss their specific circumstances.”USPS original