USPS to Revise Bulk Parcel Return Service

The U.S. Postal Service has tentatively agreed to revise its bulk parcel return service for direct marketers.

Sources said the deal, negotiated by the Advertising Mail Marketing Association, would have the USPS charge a flat fee of $1.75 for each returned parcel, whether opened or not, instead of charging a marketer postage plus a 30-cent handling fee for each return.

The service is used for the most part by continuity mailers and other direct marketers for customer merchandise returns and for undeliverable packages sent via Standard A and Standard B Mail.

AMMA president Gene A. Del Polito says revising the return service will "clean up a problem that's plagued direct marketers, especially continuity mailers, for years, plus help the USPS get rid of an administrative nightmare and save money."

Postal officials refused to comment on the agreement.