Precanceled Stamps: Get the “Stamped” Look on Bulk Mail—Then Pay the Difference

USPS precanceled stamps for bulk mail let you affix low-value stamps (like 10¢) on presort pieces and pay the difference at entry. Below, we cover eligibility, permits, step-by-step setup, compliance tips, a quick explanation, and FAQs—all tailored for commercial Presorted/Automation First-Class and USPS Marketing Mail.

On this page

• What are precanceled stamps?
• Who can use them (eligibility)
• How the 10¢ + pay-the-difference method works
• Precancelled Stamp Cost Calculator
• Why marketers use them
• Step-by-step setup
• Compliance tips
• FAQ
• Copy-ready Q&A
• USPS resources

What are precanceled stamps?

Precanceled stamps are special, low-denomination USPS stamps intended for commercial presort mailings.
You affix a small amount (for example, 10¢) on each piece, then the Postal Service collects the remaining postage from your advance-deposit (permit) account when you enter the mailing at the BMEU or the office where your permit is held.

Who can use them (eligibility)

• Allowed: Presorted/Automation First-Class Mail and USPS Marketing Mail.
• Not allowed:
  • Single-piece retail First-Class (full postage must be affixed).
  • Periodicals (must be paid via a Periodicals account / Centralized Postage Payment; no stamps).

How the 10¢ + pay-the-difference method works

You affix the same 10¢ precanceled stamp (or other small denomination) to every piece. At acceptance, USPS credits the affixed value and deducts the remaining postage from your permit (advance-deposit) account, based on the postage statement for that mailing. Advances custom

Precancelled Stamp Cost Calculator

Use this interactive tool to instantly estimate your total affixed value, overall postage, and net amount due from your permit account. Perfect for planning your next Presorted First-Class or USPS Marketing Mail campaign.

Why marketers use them

• Looks personal: Real stamps can boost perceived value and open rates for invitations, events, fundraising, and more.
• Keeps your presort savings: You still qualify for automation/presort pricing while getting the “stamped” look.
• Production-friendly: Service-inscribed, precanceled coils are commonly available in 3,000 and 10,000 counts for high-speed affixing on stamp appliers and mailers.

Step-by-step: set up “10¢ stamp + pay the difference”

1. Choose your class and meet minimums
   First-Class (Presort/Automation): 500+ pieces.
   USPS Marketing Mail: 200+ pieces or 50 lb+.
2. Get authorized
   File PS Form 3615 and check Precanceled Stamp Authorization (no application fee).
   Make sure you have a permit imprint / advance-deposit account so USPS can take the difference.
3. Buy the right stamps
   Use service-inscribed precanceled coils that match your class (for example,
   “Presorted First-Class,” “PRSRT STD,” “NONPROFIT ORG”). Typical coil sizes are
   3,000 and 10,000 stamps.
   Need coils that feed cleanly through an affixing machine? See our guide to postage stamp rolls for machine application — cores, coil sizes, and which format your machine takes.
4. Prepare to USPS standards
   Your mail must still meet all presort/automation rules: IMb/barcoding, addressing,
   design requirements, and so on.
5. Affix & format correctly
   Place one precanceled stamp in the upper-right of each piece, and include a proper
   return address with ZIP Code.
   At 500+ pieces per mailing, hand-stamping stops making sense. A postage stamp applier places a coil stamp on every piece automatically — see the AFM80ST stamp applier & tabber (rebuilt in-house) or the in-line Rena T-750, or browse all postage stamp appliers & affixers.
6. Complete your postage statement
   USPS Marketing Mail: PS 3602-R or PS 3602-EZ.
   First-Class: PS 3600-FCM or PS 3600-EZ.
   Mark “Postage Affixed,” enter the number of pieces × stamp value, and let the
   form calculate the Net Postage Due.
7. Enter at your BMEU / permit office
   Do not deposit these pieces in street collection boxes. Present the mailing
   where your permit is held (or follow PVDS rules if you are drop-shipping).

Compliance tips (save yourself a second trip)

• Match the class-correct service inscription on the stamp to the class you’re mailing.
• Use a uniform denomination across the mailing (for example, 10¢ on every piece) for smoother acceptance.
• Include a complete return address (with ZIP Code) on pieces bearing precanceled stamps.
• For Periodicals prices, pay from a Periodicals account—stamps are not permitted for this class.

FAQ

Q: Do I need coils, or can I use sheets?
A: Production mailers normally use coils (3,000 or 10,000) for speed on applicators/affixers.
Sheets work for small runs but are slower and more labor-intensive.

Q: Can I mix payment types in one mailing?
A: Only with USPS coordination. In practice, it’s cleaner to treat a given mailing as
either all postage-affixed (precanceled) or all permit imprint to avoid acceptance issues.

Q: Can I drop this at any Post Office?
A: No. Enter the mailing at the BMEU or office where your permit is held (or follow PVDS
rules if you’re drop-shipping).

Q: What about Periodicals?
A: Periodicals prices must be paid via a Periodicals account or CPP—no stamps are allowed.

Copy-ready Q&A

Q: Is it correct that you can do a bulk mailing and apply 10-cent stamps and then pay the difference?

A: Yes—when you’re mailing Presorted/Automation First-Class or USPS Marketing Mail with
precanceled stamps. Affix a 10¢ precanceled stamp to each piece, present the mailing at your BMEU, and
USPS credits the affixed value and deducts the remainder from your permit account on the postage statement.
This does not apply to single-piece retail First-Class, and it does not apply to Periodicals.

USPS resources (authoritative outbound links)

• USPS PostalPro (pricing, forms, statements)
• Business Mail 101 (eligibility & preparation)
• PS Form 3615 — Precanceled Stamp Authorization (PDF)
• PS 3600-FCM — First-Class Mail Postage Statement (PDF)
• PS 3602-R — USPS Marketing Mail Postage Statement (PDF)