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USPS Changes Mean Mail Tracking Matters More Than Ever

April 21, 2026

For organizations that rely on marketing mail, tracking outbound and inbound mail delivery is now essential.

What’s Changing?

The Postal Service has been implementing nationwide operational updates designed to improve efficiency and manage costs, including:

  • Consolidation of processing and distribution centers
  • Changes to transportation routes and timelines
  • Shifts in service standards for certain mail classes
  • Increased reliance on automation and data-driven workflows

While these changes aim to strengthen the USPS in the long-term, mailers are feeling the effect on delivery timing, which may impact time-sensitive mailings.

Why Mail Tracking Is No Longer Optional

Mailers can no longer rely on educated guesses when it comes to timing for outbound mail and mailed returns. Mail tracking offers real-time monitoring so mailers can:

  • Confirm when the mail enters the USPS system
  • Monitor delivery progression across regions
  • Align digital integration with in-home delivery
  • Prepare donation and order processing partners for inbound response
  • Respond quickly if delays occur
  • Make smarter, data-driven decisions for future mailings

This means better audience experiences, more predictable outcomes, and stronger results.

The MailSmart Logistics Difference: Tracking at No Extra Cost

At MailSmart Logistics, we believe tracking should be included with every mailing at no added cost. We see tracking as part of responsible mail stewardship, not a line item.

On top of big postage savings, our clients get free inbound and outbound mail tracking via MailTracker on every mailing.

Every MailSmart Logistics client benefits from:

  • Greater transparency into their mailings
  • Stronger coordination between mail, email, and digital efforts
  • Fewer surprises and more confidence in campaign timing

What This Means for Business & Nonprofit Mailers

As the USPS continues to adapt, mailers who embrace visibility will have a clear advantage. Tracking turns uncertainty into insight and enables organizations to stay proactive rather than reactive.

Whether you’re managing donor communications, customer acquisition, or retention campaigns, knowing where your mail is and when it’s landing can make all the difference.

We’re here to help. Contact us today.

2026 USPS Promotions save up to 5%
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2026 USPS Promotions: Bigger Postage Discounts, More Opportunities to Save

February 2, 2026

The USPS Promotions and Incentives Program is underway for 2026 — and the savings are even better but a bit more complex so we’ve outlined the key details below.

All base promotions will offer up to 5%— up from 3% in some programs this year.

That means more ways to enhance the impact of your mail through creative, data-driven campaigns, and offset postage rate increases.

Why USPS Promotions Matter

USPS Promotions are one of the most effective ways to create bonus savings, which will help create a buffer for your budget while improving mail performance.

When you take advantage of these programs, you’re not just saving on postage — you’re also improving engagement through tactile design, digital integration, and consistent communication strategies.

And here’s a crucial tip:

Register for promotions — even if you don’t plan to implement right away.

Registration keeps your options open and ensures that you’re eligible for savings if your campaign qualifies later in the year. There’s no penalty for registering and not using a promotion. Getting registered is the first step to preserving your ability to save and the dates vary, see below:

2026 USPS Promotion Highlights

🌟 Tactile, Sensory & Interactive Promotion

Discount: Up to 5%
Includes textured stock, pop-ups, or scented inks. Available for First-Class and Marketing Mail, registration opened November 15, 2025, and the promotion runs January 1 – June 30, 2026.

💻 Integrated Technology Promotion

Discount: Up to 5%
Connect print and digital experiences with QR codes, voice assistants, or AI-driven content. This popular promotion continues through 2026. Registration is open now and eligibility for any consecutive six months in 2026.

🔁 Continuous Contact Promotion

Discount: Up to 5%
Consistency pays off. This promotion rewards campaigns that build a theme and relationships over time — perfect for reminder mailings or multi-touch campaigns. While the initial mailing will not qualify, all follow-up mailings whose message and artwork support the original campaign will.  You need to ensure your recipient data matches at least 90% of the initial mailing.
Registration opens February 15, 2026, and the promotion runs April 1 – December 31, 2026.

✉️ NEW – Catalog Insights Promotion

Discount: Up to 10%
If you mail catalogs, this one’s for you. Qualifying Marketing Mail catalogs (12+ pages, letter or flat) will receive up to 10% off. Registration is open NOW, and the promotion started October 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026 — the first-ever USPS promotion to span two calendar years.

➕ Add-On Promotions (Stack to Increase Your Savings)

In 2026, you can combine one primary USPS Promotion with the Informed Delivery and Sustainability add-on promotions to earn the base discount plus 1% for Informed Delivery and 1% for Sustainability on the same mailing.

  • Informed Delivery: +1%
    Pair your physical mail with USPS Informed Delivery ride-along ad to add up to an extra percent off.
  • Sustainability: +1%
    Use recycled paper with an FSC logo or other qualifying certifications to earn an additional percent

Example stack: Base 5% + Informed Delivery 1% + Sustainability 1% = 7% total on eligible Marketing Mail.

Be Sure to Note Your Window to Register

Even if you’re not sure which promotions you’ll use, register for them all. It’s the simplest way to preserve your ability to save later in the year — and it costs nothing to do so.

USPS registration deadlines can sneak up quickly, so plan now and make sure your mailings are ready to qualify for these valuable savings opportunities.

MailSmart Logistics Is Here to Help

At MailSmart Logistics, we monitor every USPS update and can help you:

✅ Select the promotions that fit your campaigns
✅ Get pre-approved (even if you’re not ready to implement)
✅ Layer USPS promotions with commingling for maximum results

✅ Prepare creative and data to qualify for up to 5% base savings

✅ Layer add-ons like Informed Delivery and Sustainability to push Marketing Mail Advertising up to 7%

✅ Optimize SCF entry and commingle to stack even more value

Don’t leave money on the table.

Reach out to the postage savings experts at MailSmart Logistics today — we’ll help you plan, register, and mail smarter all year long.

 

 

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Winter Storm: Potential Impacts

January 22, 2026

Due to the projected winter storm that is expected to impact the East Coast, we wanted to alert
everyone that we may experience delays in mail transport.  The weather may impact projects scheduled to be picked up on Friday, 1/23, to drop on Tuesday, 1/27, and for Monday, 1/26 pick-ups.  We will be monitoring the situation closely over the weekend and will keep you informed of any changes.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.

Mail processing boxes with U.S. MAIL labels, highlighting multi-layered savings strategy, and the headline No Postal Increase = Big Opportunity for Mailers.
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No Postage Increase in January 2026: Use This 3-Step Strategy to Save Even More

October 24, 2025

Good news!  The US Postal Service recently announced it will not raise postage rates in January 2026.

Now is the perfect time to squeeze even more value from your postage budget before the expected price increases in mid-2026.

The postage savings experts at MailSmart Logistics have always provided mailers with consistent, predictable mail delivery at a significantly lower cost, and now we’re offering a new, 3-step strategy to maximize your savings even more.

 3-Step Postage Savings Strategy

TARGET YOUR ENTRY

By entering mail deeper into the USPS system and closer to recipients, you save on postage by taking advantage of USPS “workshare discounts”. You also keep your delivery timing predictable, so your mail arrives when you expect it to. We will help you prepare your campaigns for SCF (Sectional Center Facility) entry to maximize savings.

LAYER YOUR DISCOUNTS

If you’re already delivering mail to an SCF, we can help you earn extra postage discounts by following USPS rules for how trays or pallets are organized. Now you’re adding savings on top of your targeted entry workshare discounts.

STACK YOUR PROMOTIONS

Combine eligible USPS Promotions discounts like Informed Delivery®, Tactile/Sensory/Interactive, Mobile Shopping, Earned Value, and Catalog Insights to offset rates AND make your direct mail more engaging, which could help boost year-end fundraising and Q1 membership renewals mailing results.

Piggy bank symbolizing savings, part of a strategy to save money amidst potential postage increases in 2026.

  • Expand your mailing audience?

  • Conduct more testing?

  • Add more touchpoints to your campaign?

MailSmart Logistics’ new 3-Step Postage Savings Strategy combines the very best SCF discounts with the optimal mix of USPS Promotions that make sense for your mailings. And we’ll make it easy for you.

At MailSmart Logistics, we’re constantly looking for ways to save our clients’ money on postage and offer consistent, predictable mail delivery. And now, we’re excited to offer a new innovative solution designed to mitigate the impacts of this year’s USPS workshare discount changes.

We also continue to offer traditional commingling and drop shipping services. We have everything you need to get your mail delivered on time at the lowest possible postage rate, and we handle all the details.

We manage the mail for over 1,000 organizations nationwide and look forward to working with you!

Get a quick, no-obligation estimate of your 3-Step Postage Savings Plan for 2026! We’re ready to analyze your program and provide a customized proposal to maximize your savings.

YES! I am ready to save BIG on postage!


Illustration of current postage rates with wavy lines and download prompt. Stay updated with latest mailing costs.
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Current Postage Rates

July 11, 2025

Illustration of current postage rates with wavy lines and download prompt. Stay updated with latest mailing costs.Please download the chart and print out as many copies as you need for easy reference. Some clients find it helpful to place a copy in each job folder, while others prefer displaying them on their walls or bulletin boards.

Did you know that you can take advantage of additional postage savings ranging from 3% to 6% by participating in USPS promotions?

Let us help you identify the most beneficial promotions and seamlessly implement them into your direct mail program. We’re here to make it easy!

 

MSL-7.25-postal.png: Potential Postal Impacts expected July 2025 with a delivery truck icon and road illustration, related to USPS changes.
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MailSmart Logistics is Monitoring USPS Proposed Elimination of Destination Network Distribution Center (DNDC) Discount

March 28, 2025

At MailSmart Logistics, we are closely monitoring a significant USPS proposed change that could impact mailers who utilize Network Distribution Centers (NDCs) for drop shipping.

*NDCs are larger, centralized USPS facilities handling mail for a vast area while SCFs are smaller, regional processing and distribution centers for a specific area.

What’s Changing?

The USPS has proposed significant changes to its mailing standards, including the elimination of the Destination Network Distribution Center (DNDC) discount for Marketing Mail, Periodicals, and Bound Printed Matter, effective no earlier than July 2025 and would result in:

Increased Postage Costs: The removal of the DNDC discount may lead to higher postage expenses for mailers who previously utilized this discount.

Operational Adjustments: Mailers may need to revise their logistics and mailing strategies to align with the new entry options and associated discounts

If approved, mailers who currently prepare NDC volume and claim this discount will have three alternative options:

  • Origin Entry (no entry discount)
  • Destination Sectional Center Facility (DSCF) Entry Discount
  • Destination Delivery Unit (DDU) Entry Discount

While this proposal is not yet finalized, it is rare for USPS to reverse course once a change is proposed.

For many mailers, drop shipping to NDCs has been a cost-effective logistics strategy. Without the DNDC discount, the pricing advantage of drop shipping could diminish, leading to:

  • Increased postage costs for some mailers
  • A potential shift to commingling as a more attractive option
  • More volume moving to SCF entry for cost efficiencies

Our Commitment to You

At MailSmart Logistics, we manage mail data and logistics for a wide range of clients, and we facilitate a significant volume of drop shipped mail pieces. We understand that these changes could make the July 2025 postage increase feel even steeper for some mailers. While it’s difficult to quantify the exact impact, we want to ensure that our clients are informed and prepared.

Contact Us to Discuss Your Options

We are actively engaging with industry groups, monitoring USPS announcements, and working with our logistics partners to evaluate the best strategies for our clients. We will keep you updated as more information becomes available.

If you have any questions about how this change could impact your mailings or would like to explore alternative strategies, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Our team is here to help you navigate these changes and ensure you’re getting the best possible postage rates.

Jeff Roberts
Director of Operations
MailSmart Logistics

Webinar announcement on rural mail service impacts by USPS, featuring information on registration and event details for September 5th.
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A New USPS Plan that Slows Down Rural Mail Delivery. Voice Your Concerns!

August 28, 2024

The United States Postal Service recently released its latest plan to save money, proposing to reduce truck trips and slow service to rural customers.

You can find out more – and potentially speak and ask questions – by attending the “USPS Pre-Filing Conference” via Zoom on Thursday, September 5 from 1pm -3pm ET. Space is limited and the registration deadline is September 3rd so sign up asap.

Insights from Stephen Kearney, Executive Director of The Alliance of Nonprofit Mailers:

“The proposal is driven entirely by the Postal Service’s goal to make its network more efficient for packages and mail. A large part of the estimated $2.8 to $3.3 billion in annual savings would be from the ‘Regional Transportation Initiative’ that would eliminate picking up mail in the evening from many rural post offices, adding another day’s delivery time to mostly First-Class Mail.

The first regulatory step is a remote “pre-filing conference” where a panel of USPS staff will explain their proposal, answer questions, and sometimes respond to comments.

In a sense, this is not a surprise. We had heard something like this was coming. More importantly, this action is another natural response to an agency mandated to operate as a self-funding business under a statutory monopoly with a weak regulator. This is USPS operating more like Amazon, FedEx, and UPS than a government agency attempting to serve all Americans well and equally.

USPS leadership wants to improve service for anyone near a processing facility while diminishing it for rural citizens and the mailers that interact with them.”

MailSmart Logistics and members of The PMG Family will be attending the USPS Pre-Filing Conference on September 5 to learn more and express our concerns. Please join us!

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Breaking: Proposed USPS Rate Increases to Take Effect January 21, 2024

October 11, 2023

This week, the Alliance of Nonprofit Mailers released the new postage rates that will take effect starting January 21, 2024. The new rates proposed by the USPS are currently awaiting Postal Regulatory Commission approval. Approval is just a matter of time based on past rate increases.

The expected increases are in the 1-3% range overall, depending on the type of mail. You can find current and proposed rates by clicking here.

At MailSmart Logistics, we advocate for our clients every day. Stay tuned for our upcoming blog on postal savings opportunities. If you have January mailings planned, please note these cutoff dates for the current rates:

  • Last pickup for commingled mail: 1/17/24
  • Entry and drop ship mail: 1/20/24

MailSmart Logistics is a proud Corporate Sponsor of the Alliance of Nonprofit Mailers, a grassroots organization of nonprofits working to preserve affordable, reliable U.S. Mail so our Nation’s nonprofits can continue to fulfill their vital missions.

Got questions? Contact your MSL representative. We are standing by to help in any way that we can.

2023 postage rates
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Act now to take advantage of the USPS Promotions to offset the July 9th postage increase

June 21, 2023

It is time to prepare for impacts to your mailings scheduled for summer and fall.  The USPS rates go into effect on July 9, 2023.  To view the updated USPS Rate Chart, please click here.

The increases are substantial and we strongly urge you to take advantage of the discounts offered by the USPS Promotions and Incentives Programs.  Looking to next year, the 2024 USPS Promotions were also approved and all promotions will be returning. 

2023 Promotions and Incentive Programs:

  • Emerging Technology – This promotion is for creative ways to incorporate technology into direct mail. You can get a 3% discount if you use augmented reality, basic voice assistant or QR codes for mobile shopping. You can get a 4% discount if you use advanced voice assistant, video, NFC, mixed reality or virtual reality. This is currently open and runs through Nov 30th.
  • Reply Mail IMbA – This is a promotion that automates the return mail processing. You must be enrolled in IMbA.  You can receive up to a 3% discount by using a static barcode. By using a serialized barcode, you would be eligible to receive up to a 6% discount. This begins July 1 and runs through Dec 31st.
  • Informed Delivery – This promotion adds a digital component to integrate your direct mail campaigns by adding a clickable ride-along image and an optional representative image that links to a landing page. This promotion begins on August 1 and runs through December 31st.
  • Retargeting – This is a promotion that involves sending a First-Class Postcard to a physical address that is matched to an online visitors IP address. The follow up First Class Postcard is sent following the digital interaction.  You can receive up to a 5% discount. This promotion runs Sept 1 – Nov 30th.

Be sure to work closely with your mail service provider, agency, or production partner to assist you with the implementation process for all these promotions. Please note, you can only participate in one promotion at a time per campaign.  However, there is one caveat, the Reply Mail IMbA promotion because it applies to incoming mail rather than outgoing mail. 

As always, MailSmart Logistics stands ready to help you get the absolute best rates possible by utilizing commingling, drop shipping, or a combination of the two. We analyze every mailing for our clients to determine the most cost-effective delivery strategy to help you meet your delivery and budget goals.

Please let us know if we can answer any questions or assist in any way. Feel free to reach out to your representative or drop us a line below and we’ll get in touch with you.

Promote cost savings for direct marketers with USPS promotions offering up to 6% off postal expenses. Maximize your marketing budget effectively.
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Offset Postage Expense with these USPS Promotions

May 19, 2023

Three USPS Promotions offer mailers potential postage savings and a great opportunity to mitigate the upcoming postage increase.

1) The Emerging Technology promotion began on May 1st and continues through November 30th.  This promotion provides up to a 3% or 4% postage discount depending on the technology used.

  • Up to 3% discount technologies include: Mobile Shopping (QR codes), Basic Integration with Voice Assistant (Amazon’s Alexa!), and “Enhanced” Augmented Reality
  • Up to 4% discount technologies include Advanced Integration with Voice Assistant, Video in Print, Near Field Communication, Mixed Reality and Virtual Reality

The Emerging Tech promotion now includes Mobile Shopping so utilizing a QR code is one way to implement this! If you add a QR code to your mailing that directs to a mobile-optimized donation page you can qualify for up to a 3% discount. The mail piece must also include a return envelope to respond or a thank you must be sent via the mail.

2) Registration opened on May 15th for the next promotion, Reply Mail IMbA which begins July 1st and runs through December 31st, 2023.  This is a two-tiered discount being offered for Qualified Business Reply Mail (QBRM).  Mailers can receive a 3% postage discount for using a static barcode (one barcode applied to all reply envelopes within one mailing), or receive a 6% postage discount using a serialized barcode (a unique barcode applied to each reply envelope within one mailing.)

There are two types of BRM accounts that qualify for this promotion, Qualified Business Reply Mail (QBRM) and High Volume QBRM. Here are the steps you must take to prepare for this promotion according to the USPS Promotion guidebook:

For Mailers who already have QBRM but not enrolled in IMbA, you must:

    1. Ensure your QBRM Permit is linked to your Enterprise Payment Account (EPS).
    2. Contact the MSSC (Mailing & Shipping Solutions Center) and connect your QBRM Permit to IMbA.
    3. Create a Service Request in the Mailing Promotions Portal within the USPS Business Customer Gateway (BCG) to submit for promotion approval.
    4. Once your request is approved, register for the 2023 IMbA Promotion through the USPS BCG.

For Mailers who have QBRM and IMbA setup already you must:

    1.  Create a Service Request in the Mailing Promotions Portal within the USPS Business Customer Gateway (BCG).
    2. Once request is approved, register for the 2023 IMbA Promotion in the USPS BCG.

For mailers who have not used QBRM before, you must:

    1. Complete a USPS QBRM Application (this is Form 6805).
    2. Submit 10 samples to Mailpiece Design Analyst (MDA).
    3. If samples are approved, link new QBRM permit to EPS. You will be auto-enrolled in IMbA.
    4. Create a Service Request in the Mailing Promotions Portal within the USPS Business Customer Gateway (BCG) to submit for promotion approval.
    5. Once request is approved, register for the 2023 IMbA Promotion in the USPS BCG.

3) On June 15th, registration opens for the Informed Delivery Promotion.  Receive up to a 4% discount on postage by pairing a digital, clickable ride-along image and an optional representative image with your mail campaign. This promotion will run from August 1st through December 31st, 2023.

Be sure to work closely with your mail service provider, agency, or production partner to assist you with the implementation process.

As for the next postage increase expected to begin on July 9th, the PRC (Postal Regulatory Commission) has not yet approved the new increases but is expected to in the next few weeks.

Stay tuned for our next PMG Postal Update which will include more information and guidance on the upcoming postage increase, along with our recap and insights from the National Postal Forum (May 21st-24th).