Three USPS Promotions offer mailers potential postage savings and a great opportunity to mitigate the upcoming postage increase.

1) The Emerging Technology promotion began on May 1st and continues through November 30th.  This promotion provides up to a 3% or 4% postage discount depending on the technology used.

  • Up to 3% discount technologies include: Mobile Shopping (QR codes), Basic Integration with Voice Assistant (Amazon’s Alexa!), and “Enhanced” Augmented Reality
  • Up to 4% discount technologies include Advanced Integration with Voice Assistant, Video in Print, Near Field Communication, Mixed Reality and Virtual Reality

The Emerging Tech promotion now includes Mobile Shopping so utilizing a QR code is one way to implement this! If you add a QR code to your mailing that directs to a mobile-optimized donation page you can qualify for up to a 3% discount. The mail piece must also include a return envelope to respond or a thank you must be sent via the mail.

2) Registration opened on May 15th for the next promotion, Reply Mail IMbA which begins July 1st and runs through December 31st, 2023.  This is a two-tiered discount being offered for Qualified Business Reply Mail (QBRM).  Mailers can receive a 3% postage discount for using a static barcode (one barcode applied to all reply envelopes within one mailing), or receive a 6% postage discount using a serialized barcode (a unique barcode applied to each reply envelope within one mailing.)

There are two types of BRM accounts that qualify for this promotion, Qualified Business Reply Mail (QBRM) and High Volume QBRM. Here are the steps you must take to prepare for this promotion according to the USPS Promotion guidebook:

For Mailers who already have QBRM but not enrolled in IMbA, you must:

    1. Ensure your QBRM Permit is linked to your Enterprise Payment Account (EPS).
    2. Contact the MSSC (Mailing & Shipping Solutions Center) and connect your QBRM Permit to IMbA.
    3. Create a Service Request in the Mailing Promotions Portal within the USPS Business Customer Gateway (BCG) to submit for promotion approval.
    4. Once your request is approved, register for the 2023 IMbA Promotion through the USPS BCG.

For Mailers who have QBRM and IMbA setup already you must:

    1. Create a Service Request in the Mailing Promotions Portal within the USPS Business Customer Gateway (BCG).
    2. Once request is approved, register for the 2023 IMbA Promotion in the USPS BCG.

For mailers who have not used QBRM before, you must:

    1. Complete a USPS QBRM Application (this is Form 6805).
    2. Submit 10 samples to Mailpiece Design Analyst (MDA).
    3. If samples are approved, link new QBRM permit to EPS. You will be auto-enrolled in IMbA.
    4. Create a Service Request in the Mailing Promotions Portal within the USPS Business Customer Gateway (BCG) to submit for promotion approval.
    5. Once request is approved, register for the 2023 IMbA Promotion in the USPS BCG.

3) On June 15th, registration opens for the Informed Delivery Promotion.  Receive up to a 4% discount on postage by pairing a digital, clickable ride-along image and an optional representative image with your mail campaign. This promotion will run from August 1st through December 31st, 2023.

Be sure to work closely with your mail service provider, agency, or production partner to assist you with the implementation process.

As for the next postage increase expected to begin on July 9th, the PRC (Postal Regulatory Commission) has not yet approved the new increases but is expected to in the next few weeks.

Stay tuned for our next PMG Postal Update which will include more information and guidance on the upcoming postage increase, along with our recap and insights from the National Postal Forum (May 21st-24th).