First Class Postage . . .
    First Class mail includes all matter in writing, personal correspondence, all bills and statements of account.
 
Postage Rates for First Class Mail
Weight (not to exceed) Non-Automation Automation  
Letter Size
Single Piece Presorted Mixed AADC AADC 3-Digit 5-Digit Carrier Route
1 oz 0.37 0.352 0.309 0.301 0.292 0.278 0.275
2 oz 0.60 0.577 0.534 0.526 0.517 0.503 0.500
3 oz 0.83 0.761 0.718 0.710 0.701 0.687 0.684
4 oz 1.06 0.986 0.943 0.935 0.926 0.912 0.909
Post Card Rate
  0.23 0.212 0.194 0.187 0.183 0.176 0.170
  Automation verses Non-Automation:

Automation compatible mail pieces qualify for a lower postage rates. On average an automation mail piece's postage rate can be 20% less than a non-automation mail piece.

If the mail piece is automation compatible it can be processed by postal processing machinery (such as optical character readers). A non-automation compatible mail piece will be processed manually. Using machinery to process mail pieces is less costly and time consuming resulting in savings in the form of a lower postage rates.

A 20% savings in postage can be substantial; there for it is important to have a Professional mailer process your mailing to meet the postal requirements necessary to be automation compatible. Key requirements for automation compatible mail pieces are listed below:
  1. Minimum mailing size of 500 pieces
  2. Must be 100% delivery point bar-coded
  3. Must meet physical size and shape requirements
  4. Documentation must be prepared using certified software
  5. All addresses must be 100% CASS certified within 180 days of the mail date
  6. All addresses must have been "Move-Updated" verified within the last 180 days of the mail date
  Weight:

As the weight of your mail piece increases; the postage rate increases. The weights in the left column are upper limits for the specified rate. A mail piece that weighs 1oz. or less will cost $0.37. Any mail piece between 1 oz. and 2 oz. will cost $0.60 in postage.

When planning your mailing it is important to remember how each mailing element can affect the postage rate. For example, if you had a self-mailing brochure that was 1.1 oz; you might be able to save a substantial amount of money by printing on a slightly lighter paper weight. Weight is not the only issue, the size of a mail piece can also affect your postage costs.

These are just two reasons to have a Professional Mailer review your mailing project.
  Entry Point Discounts:

The entry point discounts apply to mail prepared as prescribed by the Postal Service and addressed for delivery within the service area of that bulk mail facility.

An example of this is the post office in Oakland, California. This post office is classified as a “destination sectional center facility” (DSCF). Mailings dropped off to this post office and where the recipient’s addresses are located within California, qualify for the DSCF entry point postage discount.
 
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