Effective February 24, 2011, we will revise Postal Operations Manual, part 617, to standardize the language and procedures for the Carrier Release Program. The changes authorize delivery personnel to leave parcels in unsecured locations when the parcel bears the “Carrier — Leave If No Response” endorsement.
Postal Operations Manual (POM)
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6 Delivery Services
61 Conditions of Delivery
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617 Other Delivery Procedures
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617.2 Delivery of Parcels
617.21 Heavy or Bulky Items
A heavy or bulky item of any class is delivered as addressed, if facilities are available.
617.22 Delivery to Other Than the Addressee or Mail Receptacle
[Revise text to read as follows:]
Unless the addressee has filed a written order asking that parcels not be left outside the authorized delivery receptacle, uninsured parcels or parcels that do not require a signature may be left in an unprotected location, such as a stairway or uncovered porch, if:
a. The addressee has filed a written order to leave parcels.
b. The mailer has endorsed the item “Carrier — Leave If No Response.” The endorsement must appear directly to the left of the postage area (preferred) or be placed directly below the return address. A minimum 1/4 inch clear space must appear between any other printing and the carrier release endorsement. If an ancillary service endorsement is used, the carrier release endorsement must be separated from the ancillary service endorsement by the equivalent of one blank line of the type size used.
617.3 Additional Attempts to Deliver
617.31 Someone Normally Available to Receive Parcel
[Revise text to read as follows:]
When someone is normally available to receive parcels, and an uninsured parcel (a parcel not requiring a signature or a parcel that is not part of the Carrier Release Program) cannot be delivered on the carrier’s first attempt, a second delivery attempt is made the next working day and no PS Form 3849 is left on the initial attempt. If the parcel cannot be delivered on the second attempt, a PS Form 3849 is left at the address to indicate that the parcel is being held.
617.32 No One Usually Available to Receive Parcels
[Revise text to read as follows:]
If no one is available to receive the parcel, the carrier knows that someone at the address is not usually available to receive parcels, and the parcel is insured, requires a signature, or is not part of the Carrier Release Program, a PS Form 3849 is completed and left after the first attempt. When it is not known if someone is usually available to receive parcels, a PS Form 3849 is left after the first attempt if the parcel is insured, requires a signature, or is not part of the Carrier Release Program. Additional attempts are made only at the customer’s request.
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We will incorporate this revision into the next printed version of the POM and into the online update available on the Postal Service PolicyNet website:
n Go to http://blue.usps.gov.
n Under “Essential Links” in the left-hand column, click PolicyNet.
n On the PolicyNet page, click Manuals.
(The direct URL for the Postal Service™ PolicyNet website is http://blue.usps.gov/cpim.)
— Outbound Parcels,
Domestic Products, 2-24-11
