For basic BRM, a permit holder is required to pay an annual permit fee as provided under 1.2 and a per-piece fee under 1.1.7 in addition to the applicable Retail First-Class Mail (stamped for letters), USPS Ground Advantage — Retail, or Priority Mail postage for each returned piece. For USPS Ground Advantage — Retail, or Priority Mail BRM pieces weighing more than 13 ounces, if the zone cannot be determined from a return address or cancellation, then the permit holder is charged Zone 4 postage based on the weight of the piece. See Notice 123—Price List , for applicable prices and fees.
In addition to the fees and applicable postage required under 1.1.1 , an annual account maintenance fee under 1.1.9 is required for high-volume BRM.
[7-14-24] For basic qualified BRM, a permit holder is required to pay an account maintenance fee under 1.1.8 , and a per-piece fee under 1.1.7 in addition to the applicable retail letter or card First-Class Mail (stamped letters) postage for each returned piece. An annual permit fee may also be required under 1.2.3 if the BRM permit is not used exclusively for the return of QBRM pieces. Pieces that do not meet the format requirements for QBRM cannot qualify for the QBRM per-piece fees or postage prices and are charged the high-volume BRM per-piece fees and First-Class Mail postage under 1.1.2 , and are subject to an annual permit fee. Basic QBRM permits that meet the requirements under 1.6.3 are eligible for waived account maintenance fees and a reduced per-piece fee.
[7-14-24] In addition to the account maintenance, per-piece fees and applicable postage required under 1.1.3 , a quarterly fee under 1.1.11 is required for high-volume QBRM. High-volume QBRM permits meeting the requirements under 1.6.3 are eligible for waived annual account maintenance and quarterly fees, and a reduced per-piece fee.
In addition to an annual permit fee (which will apply under 1.2.3 for the return of any flat-size pieces), per piece fee and the applicable Retail First-Class Mail, USPS Ground Advantage – Retail, or Priority Mail postage, permit holders participating in bulk weight averaged nonletter-size BRM under 1.8 must pay an annual account maintenance fee, and a monthly maintenance fee.
A letter-size BRM piece containing one standard optical disc will not be charged a nonmachinable surcharge if the piece meets the standards in 233.2.8 . A flat-size BRM piece containing one standard optical disc and weighing no more than 2 ounces will be charged postage applicable for a 1-ounce First-Class Mail flat if the piece meets the standards in 233.2.8 .
Per piece fees listed in 1.1 are charged for each piece of returned BRM in addition to the applicable postage. Per piece fees are based on whether the permit holder qualifies as Basic, High-Volume Basic, Basic Qualified, or High-Volume Qualified BRM.
Basic BRM permit holders may pay per piece fees and postage on returned pieces by cash or check upon delivery, or through a regular postage due account ( 604.6.3 ). High-volume BRM and QBRM permit holders must pay per piece fees and postage on returned pieces through a BRM advance deposit account.
Mailers may choose to pay a quarterly fee in addition to the annual account maintenance fee. Payment of the quarterly fee entitles mailers to a lower per piece fee (the high-volume QBRM per piece fee identified in 1.1.4 ). The quarterly fee and annual account maintenance fee must be paid at each Post Office where mail is returned, and for each separate billing desired. Mailers are eligible for the high-volume QBRM rates and per piece fees only for the time they pay the quarterly fee (i.e., mailers can opt out of the quarterly fee and related high-volume QBRM per piece fees simply by not paying the fee for the next quarter). The quarterly fee cannot be paid or renewed retroactively to receive a lower per piece fee on pieces already paid for and delivered. The quarterly fee can be paid for any three consecutive calendar months.
The mailer may apply for a BRM permit by submitting a completed Form 3615 to the Post Office issuing the permit and except under 1.2.3 paying the annual permit fee. Customers must provide with the completed PS Form 3615 acceptable primary and secondary forms of identification as specified under 608.10.0 . If a completed Form 3615 is already on file for the mailer for other permits at that office, then the mailer must submit the annual BRM permit fee, if required under 1.2.3 , and the USPS amends Form 3615 by adding the BRM authorization. An advanced deposit account is established for a permit holder’s use upon BRM authorization (see 1.1.9 ).