What Happened to the Full-Service Intelligent Mail Requirement?

For nearly a year, the United States Postal Service (USPS) communicated that bulk mailers would need to comply with Full-Service Intelligent Mail standards by January 26, 2014.  As this deadline approached, many wondered how it would affect their use of Blackbaud's bulk mailing solutions.  Well, there's no need to worry now, as the USPS has cancelled the deadline.  Here's what happened...

Because the Full-Service changes would have caused a rate increase that is beyond normal standards, the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) reviewed the mandate in November.  The PRC ruled that it cannot be implemented as-is.  On November 29, 2013, the USPS decided to postpone the Full-Service Intelligent Mail deadline, indefinitely.

So what does this mean for your organization?  If you are using Basic Intelligent Mail, you will continue to qualify for automation rates.  Additional single-piece rate and service changes for January 2014 will still be in effect; only the requirement for Full-Service has been eliminated.

Please let me know if you have any questions in the comments section below.