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A bundle is a group of addressed mail pieces that a mailer assembles and
secures together before mailing. The individual pieces in a bundle are presorted
for delivery to a special area. Bundles of flat-size mail pieces are secured
with banding, shrink-wrap, or a combination of the two. Banding may include
clear plastic bands, rubber bands (for lighter bundles), or string that maintains
enough tension to keep the bundle intact during processing. Wire or metal
banding is not permitted. The address block on the bundle — containing all
address information, including the optional endorsement line and any barcoded,
pressure-sensitive, bundle label — must be visible and readable to the naked
eye. If shrink-wrap is used, it must be transparent and seams or imperfections
such as heat creases should not appear over the address block. If banding
is used, it cannot obstruct any part of the address block. Tight, clear, smooth
banding will never obstruct the address block.
That's easy. It helps your bundled mail get as close to the delivery point as
possible — as quickly as possible and in the same good condition as when accepted.
Perfect bundles help us to control costs and provide you with the most
efficient service possible.
Shrink-wrap creases and opaque banding can make the address unreadable and delay delivery.
We want to make sure you get your money's worth when you mail with the
Postal Service. Bundles are subject to handling and jostling while they are being
transported and processed. You protect the mail — and your investment in
your customers — by helping to prepare the perfect bundle. Bundles that are
securely prepared are less likely to break open during processing. When they
do break open, the value of your presort work is lost, adding to delivery time
and increasing the chances of damage to individual pieces. And if all address
information isn't visible and readable, that can also result in processing delays.
In either case, the result is less efficient handling of your mail and increased
costs. As we deploy state-of-the-art automated package and bundle sorting
equipment throughout the Postal Service network, it's more important than ever
that your bundles can be processed using this efficient technology.
Torn shrink-wrap and loose banding can damage your mail
• Bundles must be double-banded, shrink-wrapped, or both.
• Thinner bundles have a tendency to curl, making it possible for individual
pieces to slip out. Double banding, if tension in the bands is maintained, or
shrink-wrap can be effective solutions.
• Bundles that are more than 1 inch thick must be double banded or
shrink-wrapped. If banded, at least one band must encircle the bundle's
length and another must encircle its width (girth). More bands are permitted,
provided that none are within 1 inch of the bundle's edges. But opaque
banding may not cover any element of the address block.
• Banding must be tight enough to keep individual pieces from slipping out. A
band is tight when it depresses the edge of the bundle. Loose banding is not
permitted.
• If twine or string is used for banding, the knots must be tight enough to stay
secure during processing. Slick twine or string that won't form or hold a tight
band or knot should not be used.
• Shrink-wrap of insufficient strength or with large openings that tend to let
pieces slip out is not acceptable.
• Do not secure large, heavy bundles with rubber bands, thin shrink-wrap,
or banding, which does not maintain sufficient tension when stretched in
normal handling.
Bundles placed in mail sacks experience much more movement than bundles
placed in firm-sided containers or on pallets, increasing the chances that they
may come apart. And bundles containing pieces with covers of coated stock
— which are more slippery — can contribute to instability during handling.
That's why some special steps — in addition to those listed here — must be
taken to protect bundles prepared in sacks.
• If the pieces in a bundle have covers printed on coated stock and they are
not individually enclosed in a mailing wrapper, the bundle cannot be more
than 3 inches in height (thickness) unless it is secured tightly with double
plastic bands or with shrink-wrap plus one or two plastic bands.
• If the pieces in a bundle have uncoated covers or outer surfaces, the bundle
cannot exceed 8 inches in height, although a maximum height of no more
than 6 inches is recommended.
• A bundle that exceeds the maximum height by less than the thickness of a
single piece in the bundle meets the height standard.
Counter-stacking individual pieces can
help create a more uniform and stable
bundle. This makes them less likely
to come apart. Counter-stacking,
with groups of pieces facing
in alternating directions, should
only be used to create a more
even bundle.
Counter-stacking is most appropriate for saddle-stitched pieces and pieces with
one edge or corner thicker than the others.
When counter-stacking, all addresses should face up and the individual pieces
should be divided into no more than four equal groups, but with as few groups
as possible to create a bundle of uniform thickness. For example, a tall bundle
of uneven pieces should be divided into four groups of approximate equal thickness.
The first and third groups would be address side up with the bound edge
to the left. The second and fourth groups would be address side up with the
bound edge to the right.
But counter-stacking isn't the best solution if the individual pieces are thicker
in the center than along the edges or corners. If that's the case, the height
(thickness) of the bundle should be limited to 3 to 6 inches and the bundle
should be securely bound with banding, shrink-wrap, or both. This will help
keep the bundle stable and in one piece. Shrink-wrap of insufficient strength or
with a large opening in the shrink-wrap that tends to let pieces escape is not
acceptable.
We recommend an easy test to simulate the stress of normal transit and handling.
Prepare a few bundles following the simple guidelines in this brochure.
Then place the bundles on a surface about 4 feet above the floor. Push each
one off with enough force for it to land on a corner at a distance of 1 to 3 feet
from the starting point. Then lift each bundle by grasping a corner, either the
shrink-wrap or a few pieces. If the packaging doesn't detach from the rest of
the bundle and no pieces come out while lifting, it's likely to withstand normal
transit and handling.
Remember, in order to create the perfect bundle it is important that you follow
the applicable Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic
Mail Manual (DMM®) and use materials that are appropriate for the types of
mailings you prepare. You also need to properly maintain any equipment used
to apply these materials and periodically test your bundles to ensure they will
maintain integrity through the Postal Service network.
Help us provide the sevice you expect — perfect your bundles.
It's important to us that you have the information you need to help create the
perfect bundle. This brochure is a good place to start. But if you have questions
or need more information, the following resources may be helpful:
• Link to the DMM on Postal Explorer at pe.usps.gov and search on "bundles."
• You can also contact your local Business Mail Entry Unit.
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