Authorized bypass mail shippers prepare and enter bypass mail shipments into the S-AMS Alaska shipper webpage interface.
Authorized bypass mail shippers must prepare bypass mail shipments based on the following guidelines:
- Each piece must conform to the regulations defined in the DMM — for example, an individual piece may not exceed 108 inches (combined length and girth) or weigh more than 70 pounds.
- Each piece must bear the address of the physical location of the individual or business receiving the shipment — the shipper may not use a Post Office box or a general delivery address. The return addressee’s name and address must also appear on the label.
- Each piece must bear the endorsement per the label in Appendix A, Attachment C. The words “Bypass Mail” and the letter “B” must be at the top of the address label, and the words “US Postage Paid, Parcel Post” must be in the upper right-hand corner (where postage is traditionally applied).
- On each pallet, the shipper must affix Label AK-53, which includes order number, pallet number, and routing information. The S-AMS Alaska system produces Label AK-53 after the shipper has entered the order into the shipper webpage and the system has determined the routing assignments. For further details on Label AK-53, shippers can refer to the S-AMS Alaska Training Guide (which the Postal Service provided to each shipper during training).
- On each pallet, the shipper must apply postage that conforms to the Bypass Palletized Rate Application — see the definition of this term in the Glossary in Appendix L.
- On the required bypass mail placard, the shipper must apply a postage meter strip in the location identified in Appendix A, Attachment B. The Postal Service must approve this placard in advance, and it must be self-adhesive and must be of a composition and thickness to withstand handling and transport.
Authorized bypass mail shippers must prepare palletized loads for bypass mail shipments based on the following guidelines:
- All pallets must conform to DMM regulations.
- Pallets must be uniform in size with maximum dimensions of 40 inches x 48 inches x 72 inches (width x length x height). For compliance with Postal Service safety requirements, the placard’s overall height must not exceed 72 inches.
- The weight on a pallet should be uniformly distributed, with denser products on the bottom. The maximum weight of each pallet load is 2,500 pounds.
- Before delivery to the air carrier, the shipper must secure the mail to the pallet by shrink wrap so that it will be secure, stable, and able to maintain unit integrity during transit.
8-3.5.4 Weight — Pallets and Shipment
To be eligible for acceptance in the bypass mail process, an order to a single addressee must weigh a minimum of 1,000 pounds. A bypass mail order may consist of one or more pallets.
An individual order may not exceed 50,000 pounds.
Upon request by Postal Service officials, shippers must identify contents of bulk shipments.
In the bypass mail process, the Postal Service does not accept accountable mail — i.e., mail that requires the signature of the addressee or the addressee’s agent upon receipt to provide proof of delivery or indemnification for loss or damage. Accountable mail includes, but may not be limited to, Express Mail, Certified Mail, Delivery Confirmation™, Registered Mail, collect on delivery (COD), return receipt for merchandise, or insured items.
The bypass mail process does not authorize any item that is identified as hazardous material (HAZMAT) by any of the following entities: the Postal Service, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), or the Department of Transportation (DOT).
If the Postal Service or an accepting air carrier finds any hazardous material in a bypass mail order, it will refuse the entire order. Violations may result in penalties including temporary suspension(s) and/or removal from the bypass mail process. The shipper should contact DOT or the local air carrier for specific instructions concerning hazardous material. Bypass shippers and air carriers must notify the Postal Service when they find hazardous materials in any bypass mail order.
The Postal Service will not accept for bypass mail any building or construction material, which includes, but is not limited to, lumber, insulation, flooring, concrete, or cement.
The Postal Service will accept freeze and chill items into the bypass mail process. However, shippers and addressees must understand that they enter these types of items into the mail stream at the shipper’s risk. The Postal Service does not have freezers or coolers to store such items, nor does the Postal Service require air carriers to have freezers or coolers. Many air carriers provide freezers and coolers at hub point locations for temporary storage until flight time or delivery. To assist in reducing the chance of damage/spoilage to freeze and chill items, the shipper must adhere to the following requirements:
- Segregate all freeze and chill items on their own pallets (in accordance with 8-3.5.2 and 8-3.5.3).
- Clearly identify pieces and pallets as freeze or chill, as appropriate.
- Verify that all freeze items are frozen solid at the time of acceptance at the air carrier’s facility.
- Package all freeze items so that, in the event of thaw, they will not damage adjacent packages.
