Un-addressed Mail

What is Un-addressed Mail or Direct Post?

Direct mail can be both addressed as well as un-addressed. Un-addressed Mail or Direct Post is the un-addressed component of Direct Mail, and would comprise of un-addressed postal articles like letters, cards, brochures, questionnaires, pamphlets, samples, promotional items like CDs/floppies and cassettes etc., coupons, posters, mailers or any other form of printed communication that is not prohibited by the Indian Post Office Act 1898 or Indian Post Office Rules 1933.

Are there any other conditions for availing Direct Post?

Only un-addressed postal articles like letters, cards, brochures, questionnaires, pamphlets, samples, promotional items like CDs/floppies and cassettes etc., coupons, posters, mailers or any other form of printed communication that is not prohibited by the Indian Post Office Act 1898 or Indian Post Office Rules 1933.
A minimum quantity of 1000 pieces can be accepted under the ‘Direct Post’.
Articles to be accepted have to be such that they do not exceed the length and width of an A3 size paper.
Articles posted as ‘Direct Post’ will bear no address or name on the communication. These will be accepted in bulk in designated offices and will not be posted in a letterbox.
In case of articles meant for delivery in other towns, Direct Post articles would be accepted in PIN Code wise bundles.

Since when has Direct Post been introduced?

The Direct Post has been introduced by Department of Posts vide its OM no. 39-01/2001-BDD dated 2nd June 2005.

Can the Direct Post articles be sent out of India?

No. The Direct Post articles can be sent only within India.

Who can avail of Direct Post?

Any person or organization can avail of Direct Post. However, some of the organizations and the beneficial uses of direct Post by them, have been tabulated below:

S.No.	Direct Post User Group	Target audience of Direct Post User Group	Purpose of using Direct Post
1	Manufacturing Sector Office Equipment suppliers	Selected Institutional buyers	New Products Infomercials Promotion campaigns
2	Services like Telecom, Financial, Banks, Credit Cards, Insurance, Books,Food	Selected audiences tailored to each sector’s requirements	New Products Service updates Promotion campaigns
3	Coaching Institutes	Local mass coverage	Promotion campaign
4	Local Services	Local – Mass Services	Promotion campaign
5	Consumer Goods Companies	Mass markets – Regional/National	Coupon campaigns
6	Government Depts – e.g. Health, Social Welfare, Environment, Revenue and Taxation Depts, etc. Municipalities	Citizens Institutions Regional/national	Awareness
7	Public Utility Departments, e.g. Electricity, water utilities	Users of the utilities Local	Awareness Information
8	NGOs – specially in the areas of community health, social awareness etc.	Citizens Local/Regional	Awareness Community action
9	Departmental Stores	Citizens Local	Promotion, Information
10	Religious Institutions	Devotees Regional/National	Promotion, Information
11	Political parties	Citizens Local/Regional/National	Information, mass contact, campaigning

The senders of Direct Post can specify the numbers and areas, in which the sender wishes the Direct Post articles to be distributed. However, no commitment would be given for delivery of the article to any particular address or a person.
The sender would be informed that the articles handed over by him had been delivered according to his instructions.
In case the sender desires the articles to be printed, or requires any other pre-mailing activity, this could also be provided on payment under the business post, separately. Though these activities can be combined with Direct Post, they do not form part of the product ‘Direct Post’.