Summary
- EDDM mailpieces have to qualify as USPS flats, weigh no more than 3.3 ounces, and carry a printed indicia containing ECRWSS with a generic Local Postal Customer address.
- EDDM Retail needs no permit and caps you at 5,000 pieces per ZIP Code per day, while EDDM BMEU removes the cap but requires a USPS Marketing Mail permit.
- Bundles hold 50 to 100 pieces, stand no more than 6 inches high, and each one carries a facing slip naming its carrier route.
- Most counter rejections come down to four things: an undersized piece, a missing or wrong indicia, an individual address instead of Local Postal Customer, and a drop-off at the wrong Post Office.
EDDM looks simple on paper: print some postcards, drop them at the Post Office, reach every mailbox on a route. Then you show up with your mailing and the clerk points to a spec you missed. Rejection.
The requirements aren't complicated, but they are specific. Size thresholds, indicia wording, bundle counts, the right PS Form for your entry type. Miss one, and your campaign stalls at the counter. This guide covers every USPS EDDM requirement so you can get your mailing accepted on the first try.
What are the USPS EDDM requirements?
EDDM mailpieces qualify as USPS flats, weigh under 3.3 ounces, and display a generic "Local Postal Customer" address with a printed indicia containing "ECRWSS." That's the compliance summary in one sentence. Everything else, from size specs to bundling rules, flows from those core criteria.
Before diving into the details, here's the quick checklist:
- Mailpiece format: qualifies as a USPS flat (see our EDDM size requirements guide for full specs)
- Addressing: generic "Local Postal Customer" only, no individual names or street addresses
- Indicia: printed permit indicia with "ECRWSS" in the upper-right corner (details in our indicia requirements guide)
- Volume: minimum 200 pieces, maximum 5,000 per ZIP Code per day for EDDM Retail
- Bundling: stacks of 50 to 100 pieces, no more than 6 inches high, with facing slips attached
- Permits: none for EDDM Retail, USPS Marketing Mail permit for EDDM BMEU
- Paperwork: PS Form 3587 for Retail, PS Form 3602 for BMEU
Now let's break down each requirement so you know exactly what you're working with.
What is the difference between EDDM Retail and EDDM BMEU requirements?
USPS offers two entry methods for EDDM, and the rules differ between them. The choice usually comes down to volume: Retail works well for most small to mid-size mailers, while BMEU suits higher-volume operations that want to skip the daily cap.
| Requirement | EDDM Retail | EDDM BMEU |
|---|---|---|
| Permit needed | No | Yes, USPS Marketing Mail permit |
| Daily volume limit | 5,000 pieces per ZIP Code | No daily cap |
| Drop-off location | Local Post Office | Business Mail Entry Unit |
| Paperwork | PS Form 3587 | PS Form 3602 |
| Payment | Pay online or at counter | Permit imprint or meter |
EDDM Retail requirements
Retail is the simpler path. No permit, no annual fees. You pay postage per piece when you drop off, and the EDDM Online Tool at eddm.usps.com walks you through the paperwork. Alternatively, a direct mail company can handle the entire process for you.
The trade-off? You're capped at 5,000 pieces per ZIP Code per day, and you handle the drop-off yourself at the Post Office serving your target routes. For most first-time EDDM mailers, Retail is the natural starting point.
EDDM BMEU requirements
BMEU entry removes the daily cap, which matters when you're mailing tens of thousands of pieces. You'll need an active USPS Marketing Mail permit, though, and your mailings go through a Business Mail Entry Unit rather than a retail counter.
One detail that trips people up: the required indicia wording is not identical for the two entry methods. Confirm the exact wording for your entry type in our indicia requirements guide before you print, because a wrong indicia is caught at the counter rather than after delivery.
Do you need a permit to send EDDM?
No permit for EDDM Retail. You pay postage per piece at the counter or online, and that's the whole process.
EDDM BMEU is different. You'll need a USPS Marketing Mail permit, which involves an application through your local BMEU or the Business Customer Gateway online. There's an annual fee separate from postage. For current permit fees and a full cost breakdown, see our EDDM cost guide.
What size and format does an EDDM mailpiece require?
EDDM pieces qualify as USPS flats, not letters. That distinction matters because standard postcards don't make the cut.
Here's the eligibility envelope:
- Minimum: the piece has to exceed at least one of 6.125 inches high, 11.5 inches long, or 0.25 inch thick, which is what makes it a flat rather than a letter
- Maximum dimensions: 15 inches long by 12 inches high by 0.75 inch thick
- Maximum weight: 3.3 oz
A standard 4x6 or 6x9 postcard exceeds none of those thresholds, so it is a letter and cannot be mailed as EDDM. For full size specifications and popular EDDM postcard formats, see our EDDM size requirements guide.
What are the EDDM route and volume limits?
EDDM stands for Every Door Direct Mail, and "every door" is literal. You can't cherry-pick individual addresses. Instead, you select carrier routes and mail to every address on them.
Full route saturation rule
When you choose a carrier route, your mailing goes to every deliverable address on that route. That's the fundamental EDDM rule. If you want to target specific households by name or address, you're looking at addressed direct mail, not EDDM.
Daily and per ZIP Code piece limits
The volume rules are straightforward:
- EDDM Retail: minimum 200 pieces, maximum 5,000 pieces per ZIP Code per day
- EDDM BMEU: minimum 200 pieces, no daily maximum
Here's a useful detail: the 5,000-piece cap applies per ZIP Code. So if you're targeting multiple ZIP Codes, you can mail 5,000 to each on the same day.
Residential and business delivery coverage
You can choose residential addresses only, business addresses only, or both on a given route. The EDDM Online Tool lets you set this at the route level. PO Box routes aren't eligible for EDDM, though, since there's no physical door to deliver to.
For route selection strategy and demographic filtering, see our EDDM mailing routes guide.
How do you prepare EDDM bundles and facing slips?
Bundling is where many first-time mailers stumble. The rules are specific, and USPS clerks will reject mailings that don't follow them. Let's walk through the process step by step.
1. Stack pieces into bundles of 50 to 100
All pieces face the same direction with the address side up. Each bundle holds between 50 and 100 pieces, and no bundle may stand more than 6 inches high.
2. Attach a facing slip to each bundle
A facing slip identifies the carrier route and piece count for each bundle. Think of it as a label that tells the postal worker exactly where the bundle goes. The EDDM Online Tool generates facing slips automatically when you plan your mailing. Attach each slip securely with a rubber band or shrink wrap so it doesn't separate during handling.
3. Label bundles by carrier route
Each bundle goes to one carrier route only. Don't mix routes in a single bundle. When you drop off, group bundles for the same route together. This makes the postal worker's job easier and reduces the chance of errors.
Which PS Forms and paperwork does EDDM require?
The paperwork varies by entry type, but the EDDM Online Tool handles most of it automatically.
- PS Form 3587: required for EDDM Retail mailings. Generated when you complete your order in the EDDM Online Tool.
- PS Form 3602 (or 3602-EZ): required for EDDM BMEU mailings. Serves as your postage statement.
- Facing slips: required for all EDDM mailings. One per bundle, generated by the EDDM Online Tool.
If you're using the EDDM Online Tool at eddm.usps.com to plan your campaign, the system generates all required documentation. You print it, attach the facing slips to your bundles, and you're ready for drop-off.
How do you pay for EDDM and drop off the mailing?
For EDDM Retail:
Pay online when you create your mailing in the EDDM Online Tool, or pay at the Post Office counter. The EDDM Retail postage rate is $0.26 per piece as of September 2026. Drop off at the destination Post Office, meaning the one that serves the ZIP Codes you're mailing to, not necessarily your local branch. Call ahead for large mailings since some locations prefer advance notice.
For EDDM BMEU:
Postage is paid via permit imprint or meter, at the USPS Marketing Mail saturation flats rate for your entry point. Drop off at your local Business Mail Entry Unit, and expect to schedule an appointment for large volumes. For a complete cost breakdown including printing and design, see our EDDM cost guide.
What disqualifies an EDDM mailpiece at the counter?
Knowing what gets rejected is just as important as knowing what's required. Here are the common rejection reasons we've seen, all of which are avoidable once you know the rules:
- Undersized pieces: standard 4x6 or 6x9 postcards are letters, not flats, so they don't qualify
- Missing or incorrect indicia: "ECRWSS" is required, and the wording differs between Retail and BMEU entry (see our indicia requirements guide)
- Individual addresses: any piece with a specific name or street address gets rejected, use "Local Postal Customer" only
- Incorrect bundles: bundles outside the 50 to 100 piece range, or standing more than 6 inches high
- Missing facing slips: every bundle needs a facing slip securely attached
- Overweight pieces: anything over 3.3 oz is rejected
- Wrong Post Office: Retail mailings go to the Post Office serving the destination ZIP Code, not your local branch
How Oppizi handles EDDM requirements for you
All those requirements? They're exactly why we built Oppizi's EDDM service the way we did.
Our Creative Studio produces print-ready EDDM pieces that meet every USPS spec. We handle bundling, facing slips, and paperwork. And because we track every piece, you know your mail was delivered, not just dropped off.
Pricing starts from $0.07 per piece for print and service. With postage included, you're looking at approximately $0.45 per piece all-in.
Frequently asked questions
- Is a 6x9 postcard eligible for EDDM?
No. A 6x9 postcard is a letter, not a flat: it doesn't exceed 6.125 inches high, 11.5 inches long, or 0.25 inch thick. You'll need a larger format. See our EDDM size requirements guide for eligible sizes.
- Can EDDM mailpieces be folded?
Yes. Folded pieces are allowed as long as the finished, folded dimensions meet EDDM size requirements and the piece qualifies as a flat. Self-mailers and folded brochures work well for EDDM.
- Can you send EDDM to businesses only or to residences only?
Yes. The EDDM Online Tool lets you select residential-only, business-only, or both when choosing carrier routes. This is useful for B2B campaigns or when you want to focus exclusively on households.
- How long does EDDM delivery take after drop-off?
USPS doesn't publish a service standard for EDDM, so there's no guaranteed delivery window. Plan for delivery to begin a few days after drop-off and to finish over the following week or two, and drop off well ahead of any date-sensitive offer.
