The Postal Service has issued a final rule to modify the way bundles of flat mail items, like brochures or magazines, should be secured, as noted in the updated Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®). Starting July 1, 2025, mailers can avoid bundling small batches of up to 500 flat items, while larger bundles must be secured with multiple bands or shrink-wrap to prevent damage in transit. Exceptions are made for First-Class Mail flats, which can still use rubber bands or string, and special provisions apply to newspapers. This change aims to reduce damage and handling costs associated with broken bundles.
Simple Explanation
The Postal Service wants to make sure big packages of magazines and papers don't break open, so starting in July 2025, they need to be tied up really well, but small groups don't have to be tied up.