Sorting FAQ

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Should I choose First-Class or Standard Mail?

If you are mailing bills, statements of accounts, personal correspondence, hand-written or typed materials, or other important items, choose First-Class Mail.
If you are mailing postcards no larger than 4.25 by 6 inches (and no thicker than 0.016 inches), First-Class card rates will be cheaper than Standard rates. Note that all postcard-sized mail, regardless of class, must be packaged. Also note that additional size regulations apply.
As of July 1997, First-Class mail is subject to an address update requirement. "Addresses on all pieces must be updated within 180 days before mailing through a USPS-approved address update tool, e.g., Address Change Service (ACS), National Change of Address (NCOA), FASTforward^sm, or the appropriate ancillary service endorsement." This requirement does not apply to Standard Mail. The 32-bit version of Envelope Manager can now do FASTforward.
For Automation discount mailings, First-Class Mail requires at least 500 pieces, whereas Standard Mail requires only 200.
Non-Profit rates apply only to Standard Mail.