This is the complete tutorial for processing an EDDM mailing through a Business Mail Entry Unit (BMEU) using a permit—the method that unlocks the lowest postage rates and removes the 5,000-piece daily limit that retail EDDM imposes.
We'll cover everything: getting your permit, processing the mailing online, preparing your mail pieces, and dropping them off at the destination post office.
The per-piece savings are modest (half a cent), but the real advantage is operational: you can drop 50,000 pieces in a single visit instead of spreading a large campaign across multiple days.
| Retail EDDM | BMEU EDDM (Permit) | |
|---|---|---|
| Postage rate | $0.247/piece | $0.242/piece (DDU) |
| Daily limit | 5,000 pieces per ZIP | No limit |
| Setup required | None | Permit ($265 setup + $265/year) |
| Best for | Small, occasional mailings | Large campaigns, recurring mailings, agencies |
Not every post office accepts bulk mail. You need to find one that does.
In dense cities, you'll typically need to visit a central Bulk Mail Entry Unit (BMEU) rather than your neighborhood post office. In suburbs and rural areas, your local post office often handles bulk mail directly.
Pro tip:
You can take advantage of bulk mail rates without setting up your own permit. When you work with us, we process your mailings under our permit—you get the same low rates without the setup fees or annual renewals. Learn more about our service →
The permit application is straightforward. You'll need PS Form 3615 (Mailing Permit Application).
You can either:
That's the key request—you're asking for permission to print a permit indicia on your mail pieces. The indicia is the small box that replaces stamps, showing postage has been paid.
Bring the completed form to your bulk mail post office and pay the $265 setup fee. They'll process your application and assign you a permit number.
Your permit exists, but it's not yet connected to the EDDM online system. Fix that with a phone call.
Once connected, you can select your permit when processing mailings online and pay postage directly through the system.
Timeline: The entire setup—permit application plus online connection—can realistically be completed in a single day if the post office isn't backed up.
With your permit active, here's how to process a business EDDM mailing:
The DDU rate requires you to drive to the actual post office that serves your target routes. That might be across town or across the state, depending on your campaign geography.
The system generates a "Plant-Verified Drop Shipment" form. This document proves your postage is paid and travels with your mail through the delivery process.
Rather not deal with route selection and online processing? Our team handles all of this for you—we optimize route selection based on your target demographics and process everything through our systems. Let us handle it →
Physical preparation is where business EDDM differs most from retail. You're doing the postal worker's job upfront in exchange for lower rates.
This is the most time-consuming part. When you work with us, we handle all bundling, facing slips, and container prep in our facility—your mail arrives print-ready and leaves fully prepared for USPS. Skip the prep work →
Before you can drop off mail at the destination post office, you need your paperwork verified at your permit office.
This step exists because you're essentially prepaying for postage at one location and dropping mail at another. The stamped paperwork connects those two transactions.
Pro tip:
The final step: deliver your prepared mail to the post office that actually serves your target routes.
Saying "drop shipment" signals that your postage is already paid. Saying "EDDM" can confuse clerks into thinking you need to pay at the retail rate—leading to unnecessary back-and-forth.
Pro tip:
We handle permits, bundling, paperwork verification, and delivery to destination post offices—so you get the lowest postage rates without the operational overhead.
If you've read through this tutorial and thought "that's a lot of steps," you're not wrong. BMEU mailings give you the lowest rates, but they require real time and logistics.
Here's how DIY compares to working with a mail house:
| Factor | DIY BMEU Mailing | Full-Service Mail House |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | 2-4 hours (one-time) | None |
| Per-campaign effort | 2-4 hours (bundling, driving, drop-offs) | 15 minutes (send files, approve proof) |
| Permit fees | $265/year | Included |
| Postage | $0.242/piece (DDU) | ~$0.25-0.35/piece all-in |
| Printing | Separate | Included |
| Design | Separate | Often included |
| Route selection | Self-service | Expert guidance |
you have the time, enjoy the process, and want maximum control over every campaign.
your time is better spent elsewhere, you want one vendor handling design-print-mail, or you just don't want to deal with postal logistics.
Find a bulk mail post office
with "Bulk Mail Acceptance"
Apply for your permit
using PS Form 3615 ($265)
Connect your permit
to eddm.usps.com via the USPS business hotline
Process your mailing online
select routes, choose BMEU entry, pick DDU destination
Prepare your mail
bundle in 100s, add facing slips, one route per container
Get paperwork stamped
at your permit office
Drop off at the destination post office
say "I have a drop shipment"
Once your permit is set up, each subsequent mailing is just steps 4-7.
At Precision, we handle permits, printing, bundling, and delivery logistics—so you get bulk mail rates without the operational overhead. Let's talk