EDDM Retail vs. EDDM BMEU
USPS actually runs Every Door Direct Mail two different ways. Most local campaigns only ever need EDDM Retail — but if you’re mailing a lot of pieces across several ZIP codes, BMEU is the option built for that.
The two ways to run EDDM
Same program, two processing paths — the right one depends on your volume.
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EDDM Retail
Send 200 to 5,000 pieces per day, per ZIP code. Mailed through a USPS.com account with no special mailing permit needed — pay online or at the counter. Built for small businesses, restaurants, realtors, and local campaigns mailing one route or a handful of routes at a time.
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EDDM BMEU
No volume limit, and you can mail multiple ZIP codes in a single job. Processed through a USPS Business Mail Entry Unit rather than your local Post Office, paid through a bulk mailing permit via a Business Customer Gateway account. Built for large-volume mailers running bigger, multi-ZIP campaigns.
Which one do you need?
For most local campaigns, the answer is simple.
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Sticking to one or a few nearby routes, under 5,000 pieces per ZIP? EDDM Retail is simpler, requires no permit, and is what most of our local clients use.
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Covering several ZIP codes at once, or more than 5,000 pieces in a single ZIP? BMEU processing is required — we handle the Business Customer Gateway and permit paperwork for you.
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Not sure yet? Tell us your target area and rough piece count and we’ll tell you which applies — and quote it either way.
We handle either path the same way
Whether your campaign qualifies for Retail or needs BMEU processing, the work on your end doesn’t change: send us your target area, and we design, print, address, bundle, and file the USPS paperwork. We just route the job through the correct USPS process behind the scenes — including the permit and Business Customer Gateway account for BMEU mailings, so you never have to set that up yourself.
EDDM Retail vs. BMEU at a glance
| EDDM Retail | EDDM BMEU | |
|---|---|---|
| Postage per piece | $0.26 | As low as $0.259 |
| Pieces per day | 200 to 5,000 per ZIP Code | No 5,000-piece cap |
| ZIP Codes per mailing | One ZIP Code per drop-off | Multiple ZIP Codes in one mailing |
| Permit | None needed | Bulk mailing permit required |
| Where it’s dropped off | The Post Office for that ZIP Code | A USPS mail processing center (BMEU) |
Source: USPS Every Door Direct Mail, checked October 2026. Postage rates change; we confirm current rates in every quote.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need my own USPS account for EDDM Retail?
- We handle the mailing account and submission for you as part of the job — you don’t need to set up anything with USPS yourself.
- What if my campaign is right at the 5,000-piece line?
- Tell us the exact piece count and ZIP codes and we’ll confirm whether Retail still applies or whether the job needs to go through BMEU instead.
- Is BMEU more expensive than Retail?
- Postage is nearly identical: USPS lists EDDM Retail at $0.26 per piece and EDDM BMEU at as low as $0.259 per piece. BMEU also needs a bulk mailing permit; it exists for volume and multi-ZIP capability, not a different price tier. We’ll give you one quote covering print, postage, and processing either way.
- Can a campaign start as Retail and grow into BMEU later?
- Yes — plenty of clients start with a single-route Retail mailing and move to multi-ZIP BMEU campaigns once they see results. We handle that transition for you when you’re ready.
Tell us your volume and area
We’ll confirm whether your campaign is Retail or BMEU and send back one complete quote.
- Call 949-863-1100
- Email mahyarh@superdaves.biz