4-3.1 Designated Receiving Points

Each Postal Service stockroom, warehouse, or storage room activity will have designated receiving points staffed and operated by trained, designated receiving personnel. All incoming material and related receiving documents will flow through those designated processing points for control and documentation. Handbook AS-701, Material Management, provides guidance on some of these documentation requirements.

The contract or agreement will specify the receiving location, and all incoming shipments will be directed there (unless otherwise arranged and approved by an authorized Postal Service representative). Designated receiving areas will include a receipt staging area. Incoming materials will be delivered first to the staging area for processing and then to the ultimate consignee or to storage.

Incoming materials must be secured and safeguarded upon receipt. Valuable commodities, such as computers, must be safeguarded during the receiving process.