Definition of bulk mail

Standard Mail (A) and Standard Mail (B) class mail, including advertising mail, catalogs, and parcels, mailed in large quantities of identical or similar pieces. Standard Mail is eligible for significant quantity discounts on postage, depending upon the class of mail, the profit or not-for-profit status of the mailer, the weight of the mail piece, and how the mail is sorted before entry into the postal system (e.g., by carrier route or by five-digit ZIP code). Minimum volume and automation standards apply. The mailer must pay an annual permit fee to the receiving post office. Postage may be applied by pre-canceled stamps, permit imprints, or postage meter. The discount postage rate for presorted Standard Mail is called bulk rate.