Effective September 7, 2014, the Postal Service™ will revise Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) in various related sections to introduce the following new or enhanced service features.
The Postal Service is introducing a return tag (label) option for permit holders to electronically request an applicable USPS® return label for their permit, to be generated and delivered by USPS to their customer (end-user). The customer using the return label can return their package without paying a fee or going to a retail postal unit for mailing. The permit holder can purchase insurance for less than $200 at the time of the label request for any USPS Returns® product (Priority Mail® Return Service, First-Class Package Return® Service, or Ground Return Service).
Current DMM standards permit customers to request a Return Receipt after mailing using PS Form 3811-A, Request for Delivery Information/Return Receipt After Mailing. The Postal Service is introducing an additional option (online) for customers seeking a return receipt after mailing (a copy of the delivery record which includes the recipient’s signature). Customers using the online options are limited to receiving the electronic delivery record by email, after making their request, and paying the return receipt after mailing fee, online as provided under the terms and conditions in the Business Customer Gateway at https://gateway.usps.com/bcg/login.htm. This new request option is available with any extra service that offers a return receipt after mailing option, currently available using the hardcopy Form 3811-A, Request for Delivery Information/Return Receipt After Mailing.
The Postal Service will enhance traditional Address Change Service (ACS) to allow return postage for undeliverable Standard Post, Package Services, Parcel Select®, Parcel Select Lightweight® and Standard Mail® pieces to be calculated and collected in an automated process. The mailer is notified directly of the charges, and provided with the address correction or reason for nondelivery of their mailpieces in this automated process. Currently, under Shipper Paid Forwarding, only the postage for forwarding can be paid in this manner. With this new option being incorporated, Shipper Paid Forwarding will be considered an option under Shipper Paid Forwarding/Return Service. Although the DMM references to Shipper Paid Forwarding will be changed to Shipper Paid Forwarding/Return, no other changes are being made to Shipper Paid Forwarding service itself.
The current Business Customer Gateway (BCG) functionality allowing mailers to apply for a mailing permit online will be expanded to all BCG users who are enrolled in the Manage Mailing Activity business service. Additionally, those enrolling in a USPS Shipping Service program via the Online Enrollment tool in the BCG will be able to create a payment account to fund their permit via electronic funds transfers (EFTs). Mailers not enrolling in a USPS Shipping Services programs may complete their permit application through BCG and then pay the applicable fees at their office of mailing. For permits created online, no hardcopy PS Form 3615 will be created; the system of record for these permits will be the PostalOne! system. No changes are being made to the existing hardcopy PS Form 3615 permit application process for permits opened through Business Mail Entry Units or at Post Offices™.
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Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)
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500 Additional Mailing Services
503 Extra and Additional Services
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6.0 Return Receipt
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6.2 Obtaining Service
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6.2.2 After Mailing
[Revise the third sentence of the introductory text of 6.2.2 to read as follows:]
***Mailers may request a delivery record online at www.usps.com under the terms and conditions provided, or by completing Form 3811-A, paying the appropriate fee, and submitting the request as follows:
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8.0 Restricted Delivery
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8.2 Obtaining Service
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8.2.1 At Time of Mailing
[Insert a new fourth and final sentence in 8.2.1 to read as follows:]
***Mailers may combine Signature Confirmation with restricted delivery when purchased together, for Priority Mail, First-Class Package Service, Parcel Select, and Packages Services, at the time of mailing online at www.usps.com or as a registered end-user of an authorized PC Postage product.
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505 Return Services
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3.0 Merchandise Return Service
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3.5 Preparation
3.5.1 Distribution of Labels
[Revise the first sentence of 3.5.1 to read as follows:]
Merchandise return service labels may be distributed to customers as an enclosure with merchandise, as a separate item (including when requested electronically through the Business Customer Gateway for printing and delivery to the end-user by USPS), as part of a double postcard subject to 201.1.2.8 and the approval of the PCSC, as a facsimile transmission (fax), as an electronic transmission for customer downloading and printing, or through one of the permit holder’s designated pickup facilities.***
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4.0 USPS Return Services
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4.6 Label Requirements
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4.6.2 Labeling Methods
Permit holders or their agents may distribute approved USPS Return Service labels and instructions by any of the following methods:
[Insert new item 4.6.2c to read as follows:]
c. When requested electronically by the permit holder or its agents through the Business Customer Gateway for printing and delivery to the customer by USPS.
5.0 Parcel Return Service
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5.4 Label Formats
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5.4.2 Labeling Methods
If all applicable contents and formats are approved (including instructions to the user), permit holders or their agents may distribute a PRS label by any of the following methods:
[Insert new item 5.4.2c to read as follows:]
c. When requested electronically by the permit holder or their agents through the Business Customer Gateway for printing and delivery to the customer by USPS.
6.0 Parcel Return Service — Full Network
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6.5 Label Formats
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6.5.2 Labeling Methods
If all applicable contents and formats are approved (including instructions to the user), permit holders or their agents may distribute a PRS — Full Network label by any of the following methods:
[Insert new item 6.5.2c to read as follows:]
c. When requested electronically by the permit holder or their agents through the Business Customer Gateway for printing and delivery to the customer by USPS.
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507 Mailer Services
1.0 Treatment of Mail
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1.5.3 Standard Mail and Parcel Select Lightweight
Undeliverable-as-addressed (UAA) Standard Mail and Parcel Select Lightweight pieces are treated as described in Exhibit 1.5.3, with these additional conditions:
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Exhibit 1.5.3 Treatment of Undeliverable Standard Mail and Parcel Select Lightweight
[Revise the following text of Exhibit 1.5.3 to read as follows:]
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1.5.4 Standard Post, Package Services, and Parcel Select
Undeliverable-as-addressed (UAA) Standard Post, Package Services, and Parcel Select mailpieces are treated as described in Exhibit 1.5.4, with these additional conditions:
Exhibit 1.5.4 Treatment of Undeliverable Standard Post, Package Services, and Parcel Select
[Revise the following text of Exhibit 1.5.4 to read as follows:]
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2.3.5 Standard Mail and Parcel Select Lightweight
[Revise the second sentence of 2.3.5 to read as follows:]
***Shipper Paid Forwarding/Return (under 4.2.9) provides mailers of Standard Mail and Parcel Select Lightweight parcels an option of paying forwarding postage on those parcels, or return postage if undeliverable, at the applicable single-piece First-Class Mail or Priority Mail price, instead of the addressee paying postage due charges.***
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[Revise the title and text of 4.2.9 to read as follows:]
4.2.9 Shipper Paid Forwarding/Return
Shipper Paid Forwarding/Return is an ACS fulfillment vehicle which allows mailers of Standard Mail, Package Services, and Parcel Select (including Parcel Select Lightweight) parcels to pay forwarding and/or return charges via approved ACS participant code(s) when used with “Address Service Requested” or “Change Service Requested” endorsements. For information about Shipper Paid Forwarding/Return, contact the National Customer Support Center (see 608.8.0 for address). Mailers opting to pay forwarding charges through a (postage due) advance deposit account must pay an annual account maintenance fee (See Notice 123 — Price List).
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[Delete 4.2.10, Shipper Paid Forwarding Fee, in its entirety (context of text relocated under 4.2.9).]
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600 Basic Standards for All Mailing Services
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604 Postage Payment Methods
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5.0 Permit Imprint (Indicia)
5.1 General Standards
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5.1.4 Permit and Fees
[Revise the first sentence of 5.1.4 to read as follows:]
A mailer may obtain a permit to use a permit imprint indicia by submitting Form 3615 and paying the applicable fees to the Post Office where mailings are made, or online under the terms and conditions in the Business Customer Gateway portal at https://gateway.usps.com.***
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We will incorporate these revisions into the September update of the online DMM, which is available via Postal Explorer® at http://pe.usps.com.
— Product Classification,
Pricing, 8-21-14
