How Does EDDM Work

EDDM Questions and Answers

Short answers to the questions people ask most about Every Door Direct Mail. Each one links to the page that covers it in full.

Last checked against USPS: November 6, 2026

The basics

What is EDDM?

Every Door Direct Mail is a USPS service that delivers your postcard or flyer to every address on the mail routes you choose, with no mailing list needed. What is EDDM

Do I need names or addresses?

No. EDDM pieces are addressed to "Postal Customer" (or "Residential Customer" for homes only) and go to every address on the route. Address rules

Can I do EDDM myself?

Yes. EDDM Retail was designed for small businesses to do on their own with a free USPS.com account. Printers and mail services can also do any part of it for you. How EDDM works

Is EDDM only available through USPS?

Yes, since USPS delivers it. Printers and mail companies can prepare and drop off EDDM for you, but the Postal Service does the delivery.

Can I choose individual houses?

No. EDDM works by carrier route, and you always get the whole route. You can choose residential only to leave out businesses. Choosing routes

Cost

How much does EDDM cost?

EDDM Retail postage is $0.26 per piece. Printing is extra and usually the larger cost. EDDM cost and calculator

Does EDDM need postage stamps?

No. You pay postage when you place the order or at the Post Office, and the printed EDDM Retail indicia replaces the stamp. EDDM indicia

Do I need a permit?

Not for EDDM Retail. Bulk entry (EDDM BMEU) needs a bulk mail permit and has a $390 annual mailing fee and a $390 permit application fee.

What's the cheapest way to do EDDM?

Use EDDM Retail, choose fewer and better routes, pick residential only if you're targeting homes, use a standard qualifying size and do the bundling yourself. Ways to keep the cost down

Can I get a refund?

Yes, EDDM Retail refunds can be requested online or at the Post Office, depending on how you paid and whether you've dropped the mailing off.

Rules

What's the minimum and maximum number of pieces?

EDDM Retail mailings need at least 200 pieces (or 50 pounds) and allow up to 5,000 pieces per day per 5-digit ZIP Code. A ZIP Code with fewer than 200 deliverable addresses can be mailed in full with fewer pieces.

What size does an EDDM piece have to be?

Longer than 10.5 inches, taller than 6.125 inches or thicker than 0.25 inches, up to 15 x 12 x 0.75 inches and 3.3 ounces. A 6 x 9 postcard doesn't qualify, but 6.25 x 9 and 6 x 11 do. EDDM size requirements

Does EDDM need a return address?

No, USPS doesn't require one on EDDM Retail. Undeliverable pieces are thrown away rather than returned. Most businesses still print their contact details so customers can reach them.

What can't I send with EDDM?

EDDM Retail pieces can't contain:

  • personal information
  • bills or statements of account
  • handwritten or typewritten matter
  • First-Class Mail enclosures

How do I bundle EDDM?

Separate by route, then make bundles of 50 to 100 pieces no taller than 6 inches with a facing slip on top. How to bundle EDDM

Delivery

How long does EDDM take to deliver?

USPS doesn't guarantee a delivery date for EDDM. It's USPS Marketing Mail, which can get deferred handling. Mail well ahead of any deadline in your offer.

Where do I drop off my EDDM mailing?

At the Post Office that delivers your selected routes, which the order summary in the online tool tells you. You can also ship the mailing there by Priority Mail. Drop-off and shipping

What happens to pieces that can't be delivered?

They're disposed of. EDDM has no forwarding or return service.

How do I stop delivery to someone who asked to be removed?

Write their address in the Do Not Deliver column on the facing slip for their route. Facing slips

Results

Is EDDM worth it?

It depends on your offer, your area and your margins. EDDM works best when nearly everyone near you is a possible customer, such as for a restaurant, a home service or a local event. It's less efficient when your customers are a small slice of each neighborhood, because you pay to reach everyone else too. A small test on a few routes with a trackable offer is the cheapest way to find out.

Does EDDM work for service businesses?

It can, especially for services that most homes use, like lawn care, cleaning, pest control or HVAC tune-ups. Choose routes where your typical customer lives and make the offer easy to act on.