USPS Says Skip the Zip Code Bundles: Mail Sorting Goes Optional!
Published Date: 2/5/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
Starting May 1, 2025, mailers sending First Class and USPS Marketing Mail flats won’t have to sort their mail into 5-digit, 3-digit, and ADC bundles and trays anymore—it’s optional! This change aims to make mailing easier and encourage full flat trays, cutting down on extra bundles. If you send this kind of mail, get ready for a simpler prep process and consider sharing your thoughts by March 7, 2025.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Sortation Rules Become Optional
Starting May 1, 2025, mailers who send First-Class Mail flats and USPS Marketing Mail flats may stop making required 5-digit, 3-digit, and ADC bundle and tray preparations — these sorts become optional. If you send flats, this reduces the required sorting steps you must perform when preparing mail.
Bundle and Tray Minimums Confirmed
The rule text keeps specific minimums for bundles and trays: bundles require a 10-piece minimum, First‑Class optional tray-based 5-digit/3-digit/ADC preparations have a 90-piece minimum, and USPS Marketing Mail full flat trays require 125 pieces or a 15‑pound minimum. If you prepare flats, these numeric thresholds determine how pieces must be grouped for bundle or tray preparation.
5-Digit Price Preparation Made Optional
The Postal Service states that preparation to qualify for the 5-digit price is optional and need not be done for all 5-digit destinations. If you seek 5-digit pricing for First‑Class tray-based preparation, you no longer must perform a 5-digit sort for every 5-digit destination.
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Key Dates
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