consolidation level

Extent to which mailing pieces, sorted according to destination into bundles, packages, sacks or pallets, have been sorted by zip code, SCF (sectional center facility), state, or other U.S. Postal Service destination segment. The higher the consolidation level, the greater the postage discounts available for the sortation. For example, carrier route is a high consolidation level, and mixed states, a low consolidation level. See also canada post; presort; periodicals class; standard mail (a).