Editor’s note: This post was updated July 9 to reflect a change in dates regarding subscription information.
Editor’s note 2: This post was updated May 26 to include information regarding requester and subscriber information.
Periodicals permits will not be revoked if a newspaper has to suspend a print issue during coronavirus quarantines, the National Newspaper Association announced March 16.
Technically, a change in publication frequency requires a change in the permit. But during this emergency, USPS says a letter to the postmaster of the entry office advising USPS of the newspaper’s revised publication plans will be sufficient. The letter should be updated as plans change.
This policy is in effect through July 15.
Understanding that that news industry will have difficulty renewing requester and subscriber/paid publications amid the COVID-19 pandemic, USPS announced it will temporarily extend expirations of all legimate requests and legimate subscribers six months, effective from January 15, 2020. On July 1, USPS announced it would extend this policy another three months.
This policy allows publishers to continue counting requester/subscribers whose requests or subscriptions would have expired before Oct. 31, 2020, as eligible or qualified requesters or subscribers. This includes renewals related to membership as well.
This temporary allowance to mailing standards will be reevaluated at a future date. It does not exempt publishers from submitting and publishing their Statement of Ownership, Management and Circulation, in October 2020.
