Frequently Asked Questions About Mail Presorting

Mail presorting is the process of organizing mail by destination—such as ZIP Code or carrier route—before submitting it to the USPS. This helps optimize mail flow and qualify for postage discounts.

Presorting can significantly lower postage costs and improve delivery speed. It also reduces manual handling at the post office and makes your internal mailing operations more efficient.

Mail is presorted using software and automation that group pieces by ZIP Code, carrier route, or delivery point. This pre-processing aligns your mail with USPS distribution workflows for faster handling.

Letters, flats (large envelopes), and parcels can all be presorted. This includes marketing mail, first-class mail, invoices, statements, and other business-critical documents.

Small volumes can be presorted in-house if you have the right equipment and USPS-approved software. For higher volumes or to ensure compliance and maximize savings, it’s often more effective to partner with a professional presorting provider.

The optimal method depends on your mail volume, delivery destinations, and desired turnaround. A professional mail services provider can assess your mailing patterns and recommend the most cost-effective presorting strategy.

Yes. USPS has specific size and weight limits for presorted mail based on the mail class. For example, presorted first-class letters must weigh less than 3.5 oz and meet certain dimension standards to qualify.

While you can send both types of mail at once, they must be clearly separated and processed under different rates. Only qualifying mail receives the discounted presorted postage rate.

Tracking is available through USPS Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMb) technology or third-party tracking tools offered by presorting providers. This enables real-time visibility and accountability.

Yes—presorted First-Class Mail is eligible for reduced rates and receives priority handling. However, it must meet specific USPS requirements related to volume, weight, and addressing to qualify.