2026 USPS Rate Case: Bundling in Tubs Eliminated
USPS is eliminating bundling for Marketing Mail Flats in flat tubs. Learn what changes and how to prepare your mailing operations.
The United States Postal Service has announced its upcoming Market-Dominant Price Change, scheduled to take effect on July 12, 2026. While the rate case introduces several exciting new promotional discounts and expanded weight limits, it also brings important structural updates to mail preparation that will directly impact presort operations. One of the most significant changes for direct marketers is the elimination of bundling for Marketing Mail Flats prepared in flat tubs . If your organization frequently mails Marketing Mail Flats, here is a detailed breakdown of what is changing, why the USPS is implementing this rule, and how you can prepare your operations. What is Changing? Currently, mail preparation and presort options allow mailers to submit Marketing Mail Flats in bundle form when presenting them in flat tubs. Under the new 2026 rules, this will no longer be allowed. To replace the bundle structure, the USPS is introducing a new 50-piece minimum requirement for these tubs. This minimum is designed to ensure that containers are utilized efficiently as they move through the postal network. This structural adjustment shouldn't come as a total surprise to the industry, as it mirrors the exact same improvement the Postal Service successfully implemented for First-Class Mail Flats during last year’s rate case. Why is the USPS Making This Change? The primary goal of this update is to align the available presort options with current processing operations and to resolve a
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