Define franked mail
Franked mail refers to mail that has been pre-paid and pre-stamped with a postage frank, which is a special mark or stamp that indicates the mail has been paid for. The frank is usually applied by a postal authority or a business that has a special arrangement with the postal service.
In the past, franked mail was commonly used by businesses, government agencies, and other organizations to send mail without having to purchase individual stamps for each piece of mail. The frank was a way to indicate that the mail had been paid for, and the recipient would not have to pay additional postage to receive it.
Franked mail is still used today, although it is less common than it was in the past. Some businesses and organizations may still use franked mail for certain types of correspondence, such as invoices, statements, and other official documents.
Here are some key characteristics of franked mail:
- Pre-paid: Franked mail is pre-paid, meaning that the postage has already been paid for.
- Pre-stamped: Franked mail is pre-stamped with a special mark or stamp that indicates it has been paid for.
- Official use: Franked mail is typically used for official purposes, such as business or government correspondence.
- No additional postage required: The recipient does not have to pay additional postage to receive franked mail.
Examples of franked mail include:
- Official government documents, such as tax forms or government notices
- Business correspondence, such as invoices or statements
- Non-profit organization mailings, such as fundraising appeals or newsletters
- Educational institution mailings, such as student transcripts or diplomas
It's worth noting that franked mail is not the same as metered mail, which is mail that has been paid for using a postage meter machine. While both types of mail are pre-paid, franked mail typically has a special mark or stamp that indicates it has been paid for, whereas metered mail has a printed postage impression.