Address quality is the key to automation compatibility, barcode accuracy, presort accuracy, carrier route coding and postage payment accuracy. It is also the key to the timely and consistent processing of the mail.

Use of complete and correct address information can result in reduced cost for mailers (through elimination of undeliverable mail) and the Postal Service (through reduced handling of undeliverable mail and processing more mail on automated equipment). Postal Service automated processing equipment does not have the ability to interpret incomplete or incorrect addressing information.

Therefore an improperly addressed mail piece will likely be misdirected and require postal employees to "guess" at its eventual destination -- almost like dialing a wrong number on the telephone.
USPS Quick Service Guide Jan, 2001

USPS Bulk Mail Automation/Presort Mail - Is it right for you?

Any mail class is considered bulk mail when presented to the US Postal Service in sufficient quantity to qualify for bulk mail postage discounts. USPS bulk mail is often refereed to as presort mail. The Postal Service offers huge bulk mail automation postage discounts of up to 48% because you do some of the work that otherwise would have to be done by the Postal Service. Mailers make an investment in time and technology, and the Postal Service’s costs are reduced and you pay less postage.

USPS Bulk Mail Rates – How much can you save? 33% - 48%
Savings potential depends on class and number of presort mail pieces. The minimum number of pieces to qualify for USPS automation postage discounts is listed by class below.

500 presort mail pieces for First-Class
200 presort mail pieces (or 50 pounds) for Standard
50 presort mail pieces for Parcel Post
300 presort mail pieces for Presorted or Carrier Route Bound Printed Matter
300 presort mail pieces for Presorted Library Mail
300 presort mail pieces for Presorted Media Mail (sometimes called "book rate")

Mailing Software Provides Postage Discounts and Improved Postal Service
USPS mail automation eliminates time consuming and error prone manual mail processing resulting in optimum reliability, maximum speed and significant postage discounts. USPS mail automation postage discounts can save over 50%.

Mailing Software Eliminates Return Mail
Mailers must certify addresses using USPS CASS certified address verification software to qualify for mail automation benefits. The latest delivery point validation (DPV) software is the last word in address reliability. CASS address verification software assures complete and accurate addresses while DPV assures deliverability.

Mailing Software Improves National Change of Address Service
The USPS National Change of Address (NCOA) system is capable of forwarding mail to the new address while notifying the mailer of the new address. Address verification software improves NCOA address matching accuracy facilitating effective and accurate mail forwarding.

Mailing Software Simplifies Mailroom Management
Mail*LIST mailing software simplifies production and preparation of bulk mail. Mail*LIST bulk mailer software meets all USPS requirements for mail automation. Mail*LIST software generates the USPS Qualification Report, mail automation tray or sack presort preparation plan and barcoded tray and sack labels.