Printer's Tip

Applying for Periodicals Status

In most cases, obtaining Periodicals status helps lower your postal rates and results in a faster delivery. But before you can apply for Periodicals status, first you must know if you qualify. The four criteria listed below will help you determine if you are eligible.

1. The publication must be a periodical, which means the intention is an indefinite publication, with the purpose of transmitting information.
2. Periodicals must be published at least four times a year, and the frequency (quarterly, monthly, bimonthly, etc.) must be stated and adhered to.
3. A known office of publication - the authorized public office where the normal publishing business is conducted during regular business hours - must be maintained. Circulation records for the publication must be kept at that office or made available upon request at that office to be reviewed by the Postal Service.
4. The publication must be formed of printed sheets, reproduced by any process other than stencil, mimeograph, or hectograph.

If you meet those criteria, you must file an Application for Periodicals Mailing Privileges (PS Form 3500). The application needs to be submitted to the Post Office that serves the known office of publication. It also must be filled out completely and submitted with two copies of the latest issue with advertising marked and ad percentages calculated.

Generally it takes about four issues for approval to come. Although you will not be able to mail at Periodicals rates during that time, your publication will be treated through the Postal Service as Periodicals status. The Postal Service will, upon approval, refund any difference between the Periodicals rate and what you paid during the approval period. While the application period is pending, all Periodicals regulations must be adhered to or the application is disqualified and the application fee will not be refunded.

In order to maintain this status, other standards must be followed as well. For example, the publication must have an advertising portion of no more than 75 percent, and it is required that at least 50 percent are paid subscriber copies. The USPS will verify this information regularly.

For more specific instructions and information, go online to www.usps.com and take a look at the USPS Handbook DM-204, "Applying for Periodicals Mailing Privileges," or contact the Business Mail Entry Manager at your local Post Office.