Postal FAQs
HOW CAN I CONTACT MY LOCAL POSTAL CUSTOMER COUNCIL?
The address for the Chicago Postal Customer Council:
Chicago PCC
P.O. Box 7737
Chicago, IL 60680-7737
Contact Us
To locate other PCCs, visit the national PCC web site at www.usps.com/pcc/
Chicago PCC
P.O. Box 7737
Chicago, IL 60680-7737
Contact Us
To locate other PCCs, visit the national PCC web site at www.usps.com/pcc/
WHAT IS A PCC?
The purpose of a Postal Customer Council (PCC) is to strengthen the working relationship between the United States Postal Service (USPS) and its customers. The program is intended to establish an effective dialogue and improve communications between the United States Postal Service and its customers. The PCC's help keep customers informed of changes in service.
The program began in 1961 as a way for postal customers to communicate more effectively with postal managers. Originally called mail users councils, their intent was to better regulate the flow of mail through a "mail early" campaign. The name was changed to postal customer council in 1971. Once customers and postal managers established better communication through the PCC's, they found that many problems could be solved and service improved measurably.
The program began in 1961 as a way for postal customers to communicate more effectively with postal managers. Originally called mail users councils, their intent was to better regulate the flow of mail through a "mail early" campaign. The name was changed to postal customer council in 1971. Once customers and postal managers established better communication through the PCC's, they found that many problems could be solved and service improved measurably.
DOES THE US POSTAL SERVICE HAVE A WEBSITE?
yes, you may visit www.usps.com for rates, zip codes, direct mail assistance and other postal related information.
IS THERE A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE OR BOOKLET THAT CAN ANSWER MOST OF MY MAILING AND POSTAL QUESTIONS?
Yes, there are currently two booklets available. One is the Domestic Mail Manual 100, "A Customer's Guide to Mailing", the other is DMM 200, "A Guide to Mailing for Businesses and Organizations". These booklets may be obtained at your local BMEU or associate post office.
ABOUT THE PCC
The PCC is a postal-sponsored organization. The mission of the PCC Program is to:
- Promote local cooperation and support and to foster a close working relationship between the U.S. Postal Service and all businesses that use the mail to communicate and interact with their customers;
- Share information and facilitate the exchange of ideas about new and existing Postal Service products, programs, services, and procedures that affect all businesses that use the mail; and
- Help PCC industry members and their organizations grow and develop professionally through focused educational programs.
PCC Membership
PCC membership consists of both Postal Service employees and representatives of the mailing industry. Membership is open to all business mailers who use the services of the Postal Service within the sponsoring Postal Service manager's geographic area. The terms “business mailers” and “businesses” as used in this document include commercial mailers, non-profit organizations, service bureaus, and other types of business enterprises that use the mail, including those that may be individuals or sole proprietorships, but the terms are not meant to include residential mailers. A business mailer may be a member of more than one PCC, but he/she cannot be an officer or Executive Board member of multiple PCCs.
Postal Service employees will join the PCC membership and participate as determined by the Postal Service and in accordance with the needs of the individual PCC.
PCCs are postal-sponsored organizations. Mailing industry members acting on behalf of the PCC are not federal employees and are not authorized to act on behalf of the Postal Service nor authorized to legally bind the Postal Service by any of their acts or omissions. Industry members of the PCC are authorized to act on behalf of the PCC only as set forth in this Publication. While participating in the PCC, industry members must continue to serve the PCC Mission.
Competitors may become PCC members, but competitors may not serve on Executive Boards, PCC Committees, or as officers and may not exhibit at vendor shows or other PCC functions and may not promote or sell their products and services at PCC functions of any kind or give presentations at PCC events and meetings. Donations to the PCCs and sponsorships of PCC events by competitors are also prohibited. A competitor is an individual or company or other entity or association that promotes, sells or acts in support of products or services that compete with Postal Service products and services, even if such individual or entity is also a business partner of the Postal Service. A competitor includes those entities that are directly or indirectly, wholly- or partially-owned subsidiaries of a competitor and any individual employed by a competitor or the wholly- or partially-owned subsidiary of a competitor. A competitor may also include an individual, company or other entity or association that partners with a
competitor.
Postal Service employees will join the PCC membership and participate as determined by the Postal Service and in accordance with the needs of the individual PCC.
PCCs are postal-sponsored organizations. Mailing industry members acting on behalf of the PCC are not federal employees and are not authorized to act on behalf of the Postal Service nor authorized to legally bind the Postal Service by any of their acts or omissions. Industry members of the PCC are authorized to act on behalf of the PCC only as set forth in this Publication. While participating in the PCC, industry members must continue to serve the PCC Mission.
Competitors may become PCC members, but competitors may not serve on Executive Boards, PCC Committees, or as officers and may not exhibit at vendor shows or other PCC functions and may not promote or sell their products and services at PCC functions of any kind or give presentations at PCC events and meetings. Donations to the PCCs and sponsorships of PCC events by competitors are also prohibited. A competitor is an individual or company or other entity or association that promotes, sells or acts in support of products or services that compete with Postal Service products and services, even if such individual or entity is also a business partner of the Postal Service. A competitor includes those entities that are directly or indirectly, wholly- or partially-owned subsidiaries of a competitor and any individual employed by a competitor or the wholly- or partially-owned subsidiary of a competitor. A competitor may also include an individual, company or other entity or association that partners with a
competitor.
Professional Responsibilities
While participating in or attending any PCC event, employees of the Postal Service are on official duty. Accordingly, Postal Service employees must adhere to all applicable laws and regulations related to federal employment, including but not limited to, the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch found at 5 C.F.R. Part 2635, et seq.. Industry PCC members may be subject to professional rules of conduct governing their professions or professional licenses, business or industry codes of conduct or industry affiliations. The Postal Service expresses no opinion as to such other rules or regulations or their applicability to industry PCC members while engaging in PCC activities.
Political Activities
PCCs may not take part as an organization in any form of political activity or lobbying. Questions about these restrictions should be referred to the Postal Service Law Department by contacting either a Field Law Office or the Ethics and Federal Requirements Section at Headquarters.
Source: Publication 286 - POSTAL CUSTOMER COUNCIL PROGRAM POLICIES AND RULES March 2007
Source: Publication 286 - POSTAL CUSTOMER COUNCIL PROGRAM POLICIES AND RULES March 2007
WHO CAN ASSIST ME WITH DESIGNING MY MAILPIECE TO ENSURE IT MEETS POSTAL SPECS?
The Mailpiece Design Analyst (MDA) can assist you with the design and automation compatibility requirements. Call MDA Support Center at 855-593-6093 or email mda@usps.gov.
HOW CAN I FIND A ZIP CODE?
Yes, you may visit https://tools.usps.com/go/ZipLookupAction_input for rates, ZIP codes, direct mail assistance and other postal related information.
WHERE DO I GO FOR INFORMATION ON PERIODICAL MAILING?
Your local Business Mail Entry Unit (BMEU) will be able to assist you.
WHAT IS A MAIL SERVICE PROVIDER?
A Mail Service Provider is a vendor that specializes in creating and preparing mail i.e. Presort bureau, letter shops, address list vendors, printers and publishers and parcel consolidators. A list of some of these companies is located in Contact Menu.
HOW DO I OBTAIN NONPROFIT RATES?
Organizations apply for authorization to mail at Nonprofit Marketing Mail Rates by submitting PS Form 3624, "Application to Mail at Nonprofit Marketing Mail Rates" at the post office where the organization intends to mail. For information about Nonprofit Rate eligibility, see publication 417, Nonprofit Marketing Mail Eligibility online at http://pe.usps.com or pick up a copy at your local post office.
WHAT IS ONLINE MAILING SERVICES?
The postal service offers several online services that combine the speed of the internet with the effectiveness of traditional mail. Online services allow you to select or design a mailpiece and enter addresses or upload an address list. Your mailpieces are printed, prepared and delivered in as few as one or two days. For more information or to get started, go to www.usps.com/mailingonline.
IF I PURCHASE AN ADDRESS LIST, WILL I RECEIVE CORRECT ADDRESSES?
Not all purchased or rented lists have addresses that are correct, checked, updated or certified. To make sure you are receiving a list with accurate addresses, ask your vendor about the list's National Deliverability Index (NDI), which rates the percentage of addresses in that list that are deliverable. The NDI rating allows you to compare the quality of addresses from several lists and to choose the one that has the highest accuracy rating. Keep in mind - your address list is only as good as your last upgrade.
DOES THE POSTAL SERVICE SELL ADDRESS LISTS?
No, the postal service does not sell address lists.
HOW CAN I CHECK THE ACCURACY OF MY ADDRESS LIST?
The USPS offers ways to check your list or you may use a Mail Service Provider for list maintenance.
- Checking list accuracy through the postal service: Address list correction service: you can submit a printout of your address list to the USPS and any changes will be marked. There is a fee for this service, which is available through your Address Management Systems Office.
- Checking list accuracy through a Mail Service Provider: Cass-certified software, this service will take your computerized list and run it through special software that standardizes the addresses, corrects the zip codes and any spelling mistakes and adds the zip + 4 codes.
WHY DO I NEED TO PERIODICALLY CHECK MY ADDRESS LIST I USE FOR MAILING?
You can achieve better results and avoid wasting postage on undeliverable mailpieces.
I AM CONSIDERING MAILING AT DISCOUNTED RATES. WHERE DO I BEGIN AND WHAT IS THE PROCESS?
You begin by visiting your local Business Mail Entry Unit (BMEU) or local associate post office to discuss your plans and needs. The BMEU offers information and training for new mailers. If preparing your mail with a workshare program according to postal standards is not your cup of tea, (it can be labor intensive), then you may consider using a Mail Service Provider.
WHAT DO I NEED TO CONSIDER WHEN I WANT TO MAIL?
Things to consider when you use the USPS are: speed - i.e., delivery expectation, cost, shape & weight of the mailpiece, extra services i.e., insurance, delivery or signature confirmation and destination of the article.
HOW DO I QUALIFY FOR DISCOUNTED MAIL RATES?
If you meet the volume requirements a person or company can qualify for discounted mail rates. You must have specified quantities and do some additional work i.e. (presorting by ZIP code) so that your mail is easier for the postal service to handle and using Intelligent Mail Barcodes for letters, flats, and packages. Contact the Chicago Business Mail Entry Unit at 312-983-8455 and inquire about the Full-Service option.
WHAT RESOURCES DOES THE USPS HAVE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES?
You can contact the Business Development Specialists Kim Ewing at 312-983-8408 or Greg Gonzales at 312-983-8328. Both are located at:
433 W. Harrison St.
Chicago, IL 60607
They can conduct onsite consultations at your business. Their schedule is Monday- Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
433 W. Harrison St.
Chicago, IL 60607
They can conduct onsite consultations at your business. Their schedule is Monday- Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
WHERE CAN I DEPOSIT MY BULK MAILINGS?
You may deposit bulk mailing(s) at the Business Mail Entry Unit (BMEU): 433 W. Polk St., (2 blocks East of Canal St.) - dock doors 1-5 and 93-98.
WHO CAN I CALL FOR ACCURATE POSTAL INFORMATION?
You may call the Business Service Network at 312-983-8440 and a customer service representative will answer your question(s) or refer you to the appropriate department.
