NEW PUBLICATION
Handbook DM-111, Centralized Account Processing
System (CAPS) Procedures, is available online.
CAPS is an electronic postage payment system, and
Handbook DM-111 provides policies and procedures for
use by postmasters, managers, supervisors, and personnel
who work with the Permit system. Handbook DM-111 includes standard operating procedures for establishing
CAPS accounts, activating links to the accounts, and preparing financial reports.
Handbook DM-111 is available on the Postal Service
PolicyNet Web site at http://blue.usps.gov/cpim; click on HBKs.
We will not issue printed copies of Handbook DM-111.
- Business Customer Support Systems,
Marketing Technology and Channel Management, 2-6-03
DMM REVISION
Products Mailable at Nonprofit Standard Mail Rates
Effective January 1, 2003, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) E670.5.11 is revised to reflect an increase from
$7.90 to $8.00 for low-cost products mailable at the Nonprofit Standard Mail rates. Under the statutory restrictions
in DMM E670, products may not be mailed at the Nonprofit
Standard Mail rates unless the products meet at least one
of three exceptions. Under the Internal Revenue Code, a low-cost item is one of these exceptions.
The value of a low-cost item - the actual cost to the authorized nonprofit organization - is determined each year
by the Internal Revenue Service, based on the cost of living. For 2003, the maximum limit for the value of a low-cost
item has been adjusted to $8.00.
We will incorporate this revision into the printed version
of DMM Issue 58 and into the monthly update of the online
DMM available via Postal Explorer at http://pe.usps.gov.
Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)
* * * * *
E Eligibility
* * * * *
E600 Standard Mail
* * * * *
E670 Nonprofit Standard Mail
* * * * *
5.0 ELIGIBLE AND INELIGIBLE MATTER
* * * * *
5.11 Products Mailable at Nonprofit Standard Mail
Rates
The following products are mailable at Nonprofit Standard
Mail rates:
[Revise item a to reflect a change in the maximum allowed
value of low-cost items to read as follows:]
a. Low-cost items within the meaning of 26 USC
513(h)(2), Internal Revenue Code. At the beginning
of each calendar year, the value of low-cost items is
adjusted for cost of living. Effective January 1, 2003,
the standard established that the cost of such items
cannot exceed $8.00. This cost is the cost to the authorized organization that mails the items or on
whose behalf the items are mailed.
* * * * *
- Mailing Standards,
Pricing and Classification, 2-6-03
DMM REVISION
Effective February 6, 2003, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) M033.2.2c is revised to extend the standard
published in an article in Postal Bulletin 22089 (11-14-02,
pages 35-40) titled "DMM Revision: Standard Mail Flats in
Letter Trays" to the placement of smaller size pieces in two
rows in a single tray, provided that the two rows run parallel
to each other, with the address side of the pieces all faced
toward the end (short dimension) of the tray and perpendicular to the entire length (long dimension) of the tray. This
option is added in response to requests from the mailing industry to improve operational efficiencies and, in many
cases, to optimize tray use by reducing the number of
prepared trays.
Mailers placing flat-size pieces in letter trays are
reminded that:
• Only Standard Mail flats may be mailed under the
traying option in DMM M033.2.2.
• All Standard Mail flats prepared under the traying option in DMM M033.2.2 must also be palletized.
• Trays used for this traying option must bear labels
meeting the standards in DMM M032.2.0 for tray labels, including a tray label barcode containing the
three elements specified in DMM M032.2.4.
• Appropriate minimum volumes based on the corresponding sacking standards must be met, whether
Presorted (under DMM M610.4.5), Enhanced Carrier
Route (under DMM M620.4.1), or automation rate
(under DMM M820.5.2).
Meeting the minimum volumes for trays is extremely important to ensure that no additional handling costs are
incurred from the creation of more trays than there would
be sacks if the sacking preparation standards were used.
For example, most Standard Mail sort levels for flat-size
mail require a minimum of either 125 pieces in a sack or 15
pounds in a sack. These same standards apply to the corresponding level of letter trays prepared under the traying
option in DMM M033.2.2.
As a consequence, if a sort level requires a minimum of
125 pieces or 15 pounds in a sack, then a single tray prepared under this traying option must likewise contain a
minimum of 125 pieces or 15 pounds of pieces. Two trays,
for example, may not be used to meet the sacking minimum
of 125 pieces by placing 75 pieces in one tray and 50
pieces in the second tray to the same presort destination.
If a large number of pieces leads to one less-than-full
tray after filling several other trays, the pieces in that less-
than-full tray generally become part of the next lower sort
level. There are no "overflow" trays (as defined in DMM
M011.1.3) under this traying option. As a general rule, all
trays must contain at least 125 pieces or 15 pounds of
pieces except for mixed ADC sort levels for Presorted and
automation rate pieces, 3-digit origin or optional entry sort
levels for Presorted and automation rate pieces, and 5-digit
carrier routes trays for Enhanced Carrier Route pieces. Enhanced Carrier Route flat-size pieces may not be placed in
3-digit carrier routes trays.
Flat-size pieces that are both thick and lightweight are
generally ineligible for this traying option because a single
letter tray would not be able to hold the minimum number of
125 pieces and the weight of the full tray would be less than
15 pounds. On the other hand, with heavier weight pieces
(e.g., one weighing 5 ounces), the minimum volume for the
tray might be met by weight. In the example of the 5-ounce
pieces, only 48 such pieces would be needed to meet the
15-pound minimum per tray.
Questions concerning this preparation option should be
directed to the Post Office where the mail is entered. If additional information is needed, contact the district manager of
business mail entry.
We will incorporate these changes into the printed
version of DMM Issue 58 and into the monthly update
of the online DMM available via Postal Explorer at http://pe.usps.gov.
Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)
* * * * *
M Mail Preparation and Sortation
M000 General Preparation Standards
* * * * *
M030 Containers
* * * * *
M033 Sacks and Trays
* * * * *
2.0 FIRST-CLASS MAIL, PERIODICALS, AND
STANDARD MAIL
* * * * *
2.2 Letter Tray Preparation-Standard Mail
Flat-Size Pieces
Standard Mail flat-size pieces may be prepared in letter
trays instead of sacks only if the following standards are
met:
* * * * *
[Revise 2.2c to read as follows:]
c. The pieces must fit completely within the dimensions
for height and the bottom (floor) dimensions for
length and width specified in 1.3 for an MM letter tray
or an EMM letter tray. If a single row of pieces is
placed in a tray, all pieces must be upright, faced toward the end of the tray (the short dimension), and
perpendicular to the length of the tray. If two rows of
pieces are placed in a tray, the rows must be parallel
to each other and to the length of the tray, and all
pieces must be upright, faced toward the end of the
tray, and perpendicular to the length of the tray. Other
applicable standards in 2.1 must also be met.
* * * * *
- Mailing Standards,
Pricing and Classification, 2-6-03
DMM REVISION
Effective February 6, 2003, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) 910.1.1h, 910.2.1g, 910.3.1h, 920.2.1m, and
940.2.1l are revised to remove references to Manifest Analysis and Certification (MAC) software. Presort Accuracy
Verification and Evaluation (PAVE) software, not MAC-
certified software, is required for mailings under DMM
M920, M930, and M940. Mailings palletized under DMM
M045 do not require PAVE-certified software unless package reallocation is utilized.
Mail preparation standards for 5-digit scheme packages
were issued as a DMM revision in an article in Postal
Bulletin 22092 (12-26-02, pages 26-41) titled "DMM
Revision: Five-Digit Scheme Package Preparation for Periodicals, Standard Mail, and Bound Printed Matter Flats,
and Limitations to Optional 3-Digit Pallet and 3-Digit Sack
Preparation." These new standards, which took effect on
January 9, 2003, should reduce the number of presort destination packages that mailers must prepare in mailings of
automation rate flat-size pieces and promote greater use of
pallets.
Questions regarding 5-digit scheme package preparation and documentation should be directed to the Post
Office where the mail is entered. If additional information is
needed, contact the district manager of business mail entry.
The National Customer Support Center (NCSC) is providing PAVE testing and certification. The telephone number
for the NCSC is 800-238-3150.
We will incorporate these changes into the printed
version of DMM Issue 58 and into the monthly update
of the online DMM available via Postal Explorer at http://pe.usps.gov.
Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)
* * * * *
M Mail Preparation and Sortation
* * * * *
M900 Advanced Preparation Options for Flats
M910 Co-Traying and Co-Sacking Packages of
Automation and Presorted Mailings
1.0 FIRST-CLASS MAIL
1.1 Basic Standards
* * * * *
[Revise 1.1h by removing from the second sentence "or
MAC-certified" and by changing "that qualify for the Pre-
sorted rate under P012" to "qualifying for the Presorted
rate" to read as follows:]
h. ***In addition to the applicable postage statement,
documentation produced by PAVE-certified software
or standardized documentation under P012 must be
submitted with each co-trayed mailing job that describes for each tray sortation level the number of
pieces qualifying for each applicable automation rate
and the number of pieces qualifying for the Presorted
rate.
* * * * *
2.0 PERIODICALS
2.1 Basic Standards
* * * * *
[Revise 2.1g by removing from the second sentence "or
MAC-certified" and by changing "that qualify for each applicable Presorted rate under P012" to "qualifying for each
applicable Presorted rate" to read as follows:]
g. ***In addition to the applicable postage statement,
documentation produced by PAVE-certified software
or standardized documentation under P012 must be
submitted with each co-sacked mailing job that describes for each sack sortation level the number of
pieces qualifying for each applicable automation rate
and the number of pieces qualifying for each applicable Presorted rate.
* * * * *
3.0 STANDARD MAIL
3.1 Basic Standards
* * * * *
[Revise 3.1h by removing from the second sentence "or
MAC-certified" and by changing "that qualify for each applicable Presorted rate under P012" to "qualifying for each
applicable Presorted rate" to read as follows:]
h. ***In addition to the applicable postage statement,
documentation produced by PAVE-certified software
or standardized documentation under P012 must be
submitted with each co-sacked mailing job that describes for each sack sortation level the number of
pieces qualifying for each applicable automation rate
and the number of pieces qualifying for each applicable Presorted rate.
* * * * *
M920 Merged Containerization of Packages Using
the City State Product
* * * * *
2.0 STANDARD MAIL
2.1 Basic Standards
* * * * *
[Revise 2.1m by changing "In addition to the postage statement, documentation prepared by" to "In addition to the
applicable postage statement, documentation produced
by"; by deleting "or MAC-certified"; and by changing "each
applicable Presorted rate under P012" to "each applicable
Presorted rate" to read as follows:]
m. In addition to the applicable postage statement, documentation produced by PAVE-certified software
must be submitted with each co-sacked or copalletized mailing job that describes for each sack sortation level and sack, or each pallet sortation level and
pallet, the number of pieces qualifying for each applicable carrier route rate, each applicable automation
rate, and each applicable Presorted rate.
* * * * *
M940 Merged Palletization of Packages Using the
City State Product and a 5% Threshold
* * * * *
2.0 STANDARD MAIL
2.1 Basic Standards
* * * * *
[Revise 2.1l by changing "In addition to the postage statement, documentation prepared by" to "In addition to the
applicable postage statement, documentation produced
by"; by deleting "or MAC-certified"; and by changing "each
applicable Presorted rate under P012" to "each applicable
Presorted rate" to read as follows:]
l. In addition to the applicable postage statement, documentation produced by PAVE-certified software
must be submitted with each copalletized mailing job
that describes for each pallet sortation level and pallet the number of pieces qualifying for each applicable carrier route rate, each applicable automation
rate, and each applicable Presorted rate.***
* * * * *
- Mailing Standards,
Pricing and Classification, 2-6-03
DMM REVISION
Effective February 6, 2003, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) M920.2.5i and j, M930.2.4i and j, and M940.2.4i and
j are revised to extend the standard published in an article
in Postal Bulletin 22086 (10-3-02, pages 21-27) titled
"DMM Revision: Mixed ADC Packages, Sacks, and Trays
on ASF and BMC Pallets" to the advanced preparation options for flat-size mail. This revision corrects an omission
made at the time the initial article was published by allowing
mailers using the advanced preparation options for flat-size
mail to place certain mixed area distribution center (ADC)
packages on administrative support facility (ASF) or bulk
mail center (BMC) pallets.
Under this optional preparation, mixed ADC packages
placed on ASF and BMC pallets are labeled to the ADC
destination shown in DMM L802 that serves the location of
the destination ASF or BMC. These mixed ADC packages
can contain only pieces addressed to ZIP Codes within the
applicable ASF or BMC service area as specified in DMM
Exhibit E650.5.1.
Questions concerning this preparation option should be
directed to the Post Office where the mail is entered. If additional information is needed, contact the district manager of
business mail entry.
We will incorporate these changes into the printed
version of DMM Issue 58 and into the monthly update
of the online DMM available via Postal Explorer at http://pe.usps.gov.
Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)
* * * * *
M Mail Preparation and Sortation
* * * * *
M900 Advance Preparation Options for Flats
* * * * *
M920 Merged Containerization of Packages Using
the City State Product
* * * * *
2.0 STANDARD MAIL
* * * * *
2.5 Pallet Preparation and Labeling
* * * * *
[Revise 2.5i to read as follows:]
i. ASF. Required, except that an ASF sort may not be
required if using package reallocation under
M045.5.0. May contain carrier route rate, automation
rate, and/or Presorted rate packages. Sort ADC
packages to ASF pallets based on the "label to" ZIP
Code for the ADC destination of the package in L004.
At the mailer's option, sort appropriate mixed ADC
packages to ASF pallets based on the "label to" ZIP
Code for the ADC destination of the package in L802.
All optional mixed ADC packages on ASF pallets
must contain only pieces destinating within the ASF
as shown in Exhibit E650.5.1. See E650.5.0 for additional requirements for DBMC rate eligibility.
* * * * *
[Revise 2.5j to read as follows:]
j. BMC. Required. May contain carrier route rate, automation rate, and/or Presorted rate packages. Sort
ADC packages to BMC pallets based on the "label to"
ZIP Code for the ADC destination of the package in
L004. At the mailer's option, sort appropriate mixed
ADC packages to BMC pallets based on the "label to"
ZIP Code for the ADC destination of the package in
L802. All optional mixed ADC packages on BMC pallets must contain only pieces destinating within the
BMC as shown in Exhibit E650.5.1. See E650.5.0 for
additional requirements for DBMC rate eligibility.
* * * * *
M930 Merged Palletization of Packages Using a 5%
Threshold
* * * * *
2.0 STANDARD MAIL
* * * * *
2.4 Pallet Preparation and Labeling
* * * * *
[Revise 2.4i to read as follows:]
i. ASF. Required, except that an ASF sort may not be
required if using package reallocation under
M045.5.0. May contain carrier route rate, automation
rate, and/or Presorted rate packages. Sort ADC
packages to ASF pallets based on the "label to" ZIP
Code for the ADC destination of the package in L004.
At the mailer's option, sort appropriate mixed ADC
packages to ASF pallets based on the "label to" ZIP
Code for the ADC destination of the package in L802.
All optional mixed ADC packages on ASF pallets
must contain only pieces destinating within the ASF
as shown in Exhibit E650.5.1. See E650.5.0 for additional requirements for DBMC rate eligibility.
* * * * *
[Revise 2.4j to read as follows:]
j. BMC. Required. May contain carrier route rate, automation rate, and/or Presorted rate packages. Sort
ADC packages to BMC pallets based on the "label to"
ZIP Code for the ADC destination of the package in
L004. At the mailer's option, sort appropriate mixed
ADC packages to BMC pallets based on the "label to"
ZIP Code for the ADC destination of the package in
L802. All optional mixed ADC packages on BMC pallets must contain only pieces destinating within the
BMC as shown in Exhibit E650.5.1. See E650.5.0 for
additional requirements for DBMC rate eligibility.
* * * * *
M940 Merged Palletization of Packages Using the
City State Product and a 5% Threshold
* * * * *
2.0 STANDARD MAIL
* * * * *
2.4 Pallet Preparation and Labeling
* * * * *
[Revise 2.4i to read as follows:]
i. ASF. Required, except that an ASF sort may not be
required if using package reallocation under
M045.5.0. May contain carrier route rate, automation
rate, and/or Presorted rate packages. Sort ADC
packages to ASF pallets based on the "label to" ZIP
Code for the ADC destination of the package in L004.
At the mailer's option, sort appropriate mixed ADC
packages to ASF pallets based on the "label to" ZIP
Code for the ADC destination of the package in L802.
All optional mixed ADC packages on ASF pallets
must contain only pieces destinating within the ASF
as shown in Exhibit E650.5.1. See E650.5.0 for additional requirements for DBMC rate eligibility.
* * * * *
[Revise 2.4j to read as follows:]
j. BMC. Required. May contain carrier route rate, automation rate, and/or Presorted rate packages. Sort
ADC packages to BMC pallets based on the "label to"
ZIP Code for the ADC destination of the package in
L004. At the mailer's option, sort appropriate mixed
ADC packages to BMC pallets based on the "label to"
ZIP Code for the ADC destination of the package in
L802. All optional mixed ADC packages on BMC pallets must contain only pieces destinating within the
BMC as shown in Exhibit E650.5.1. See E650.5.0 for
additional requirements for DBMC rate eligibility.
* * * * *
- Mailing Standards,
Pricing and Classification, 2-6-03
DMM REVISION
Effective February 6, 2003, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) M920.1.5f, M920.2.5e, M930.1.5f, M930.2.4e,
M940.1.5f, and M940.2.4e are revised to remove from
DMM M900 the references to 5-digit scheme (DMM L001)
pallets. The preparation of these pallets was eliminated as
part of the DMM changes published in an article in Postal
Bulletin 22092 (12-26-02, pages 26-41) titled "DMM
Revision: Five-Digit Scheme Package Preparation for Periodicals, Standard Mail, and Bound Printed Matter Flats,
and Limitations to Optional 3-Digit Pallet and 3-Digit Sack
Preparation" and effective on January 9, 2003.
We will incorporate these revisions into the printed
version of DMM Issue 58 and into the monthly update
of the online DMM available via Postal Explorer at http://pe.usps.gov.
Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)
* * * * *
M Mail Preparation and Sortation
* * * * *
M900 Advanced Preparation Options for Flats
* * * * *
M920 Merged Containerization of Packages Using
the City State Product
1.0 PERIODICALS
* * * * *
1.5 Pallet Preparation and Labeling
* * * * *
[Revise 1.5f by replacing "for those 5-digit ZIP Codes that
are not part of a scheme (under L001) and that have" with
"with" in the first full sentence to read as follows:]
f. 5-Digit. Required. May contain only automation rate
5-digit packages and Presorted rate 5-digit packages
for the same 5-digit ZIP Code with a "B" or "D" indicator in the City State Product, or 5-digit scheme (L007)
packages (automation rate and co-packaged automation and Presorted rate pieces only). Five-digit
scheme packages are assigned to 5-digit pallets according to the OEL "label to" 5-digit ZIP Code.
* * * * *
2.0 STANDARD MAIL
* * * * *
2.5 Pallet Preparation and Labeling
* * * * *
[Revise 2.5e by replacing "for those 5-digit ZIP Codes that
are not part of a scheme (under L001) and that have" with
"with" in the first full sentence to read as follows:]
e. 5-Digit. Required. May contain only automation rate
5-digit packages and Presorted rate 5-digit packages
for the same 5-digit ZIP Code with a "B" or "D" indicator in the City State Product, or 5-digit scheme (L007)
packages (automation rate and co-packaged automation and Presorted rate pieces only). Five-digit
scheme packages are assigned to 5-digit pallets according to the OEL "label to" 5-digit ZIP Code.
* * * * *
M930 Merged Palletization of Packages Using a 5%
Threshold
1.0 PERIODICALS
* * * * *
1.5 Pallet Preparation and Labeling
* * * * *
[Revise 1.5f by removing "that is not part of a scheme
(L001) and" from the first full sentence and by replacing
"5-digit scheme packages" with "Five-digit scheme packages" in the second full sentence to read as follows:]
f. 5-Digit. Required.
May contain only automation rate 5-digit packages and Presorted rate 5-digit
packages for the same 5-digit ZIP Code that could not be placed on a merged
5-digit pallet, or 5-digit scheme (L007) packages (automation rate and co-packaged
automation and Presorted rate pieces only). Five-digit scheme packages are assigned
to 5-digit pallets according to the OEL "label to" 5-digit ZIP Code.
* * * * *
2.0 STANDARD MAIL
* * * * *
2.4 Pallet Preparation and Labeling
* * * * *
[Revise 2.4e by removing "that is not part of a scheme
(L001) and" from the first full sentence to read as follows:]
e. 5-Digit. Required. May contain only automation rate
5-digit packages and Presorted rate 5-digit packages
for the same 5-digit ZIP Code that could not be
placed on a merged 5-digit pallet, or 5-digit scheme
(L007) packages (automation rate and co-packaged
automation and Presorted rate pieces only). Five-
digit scheme packages are assigned to 5-digit pallets
according to the OEL "label to" 5-digit ZIP Code.
* * * * *
M940 Merged Palletization of Packages Using the
City State Product and a 5% Threshold
1.0 PERIODICALS
* * * * *
1.5 Pallet Preparation and Labeling
* * * * *
[Revise 1.5f by removing "that is not part of a scheme
(L001) and" from the first full sentence and by replacing
"5-digit scheme packages" with "Five-digit scheme packages" in the second full sentence to read as follows:]
f. 5-Digit. Required. May contain only automation rate
5-digit packages and Presorted rate 5-digit packages
for the same 5-digit ZIP Code that could not be
placed on a merged 5-digit pallet, or 5-digit scheme
(L007) packages (automation rate and co-packaged
automation and Presorted rate pieces only). Five-
digit scheme packages are assigned to 5-digit pallets
according to the OEL "label to" 5-digit ZIP Code.
* * * * *
2.0 STANDARD MAIL
* * * * *
2.4 Pallet Preparation and Labeling
* * * * *
[Revise 2.4e by removing "that is not part of a scheme
(L001) and" from the first full sentence and by replacing
"5-digit scheme packages" with "Five-digit scheme packages" in the second full sentence to read as follows:]
e. 5-Digit. Required. May contain only automation rate
5-digit packages and Presorted rate 5-digit packages
for the same 5-digit ZIP Code that could not be
placed on a merged 5-digit pallet, or 5-digit scheme
(L007) packages (automation rate and co-packaged
automation and Presorted rate pieces only). Five-
digit scheme packages are assigned to 5-digit pallets
according to the OEL "label to" 5-digit ZIP Code.
* * * * *
- Mailing Standards,
Pricing and Classification, 2-6-03 |
