Official indicia mail

Official indicia mail refers to mail that is sent using a postage meter or a permit imprint, which is a type of postage payment system used by businesses, organizations, and government agencies. Here's a breakdown of the process:

What is indicia mail?

Indicia mail is mail that is paid for using a postage meter or a permit imprint, rather than affixing a stamp or using a postage meter with a printed indicia (a printed postage statement). The indicia is a printed statement on the mailpiece that shows the postage amount and the payment method.

Types of indicia mail:

There are two main types of indicia mail:

  1. Postage Meter Mail: This type of mail is paid for using a postage meter, which is a machine that prints the postage amount directly onto the mailpiece.
  2. Permit Imprint Mail: This type of mail is paid for using a permit imprint, which is a printed statement on the mailpiece that shows the postage amount and the payment method.

Benefits of indicia mail:

Indicia mail offers several benefits, including:

  1. Convenience: Indicia mail is a convenient way to pay for postage, as it eliminates the need to affix stamps or use a postage meter with a printed indicia.
  2. Accuracy: Indicia mail ensures accurate postage payment, as the postage amount is printed directly onto the mailpiece.
  3. Cost-effective: Indicia mail can be more cost-effective than using stamps or a postage meter with a printed indicia, especially for high-volume mailers.
  4. Tracking and verification: Indicia mail can be tracked and verified more easily than traditional mail, as the postage amount and payment method are printed directly onto the mailpiece.

How to use indicia mail:

To use indicia mail, you'll need to:

  1. Obtain a permit: You'll need to obtain a permit from the USPS (United States Postal Service) or a private postage meter company.
  2. Use a postage meter or permit imprint: You'll need to use a postage meter or permit imprint to print the postage amount and payment method onto the mailpiece.
  3. Affix the indicia: You'll need to affix the indicia to the mailpiece, either by printing it directly onto the mailpiece or by attaching a separate indicia label.
  4. Mail the mailpiece: You can then mail the mailpiece using the USPS or a private courier service.

Overall, indicia mail is a convenient and cost-effective way to pay for postage, especially for high-volume mailers.