Domestic Mail

DMM REVISION

Records of Deposits for Pending Periodicals

Effective July 8, 2004, Domestic Mail Manual (DMMTM) E213.2.2 is revised to clarify the exception for records kept while a Periodicals application is pending. When postage is deposited at single-piece First-Class MailŽ rates because a mailing presorted and presented as Periodicals mail is less than 200 pieces or 50 pounds, a refund may be authorized. This is an exception and, therefore, these records of deposits should be kept.

We will incorporate this revision into the printed version of DMM 59 and into the monthly update of the online DMM available via Postal ExplorerŽ at http://pe.usps.gov.

Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)

* * * * *

E Eligibility

* * * * *

E200 Periodicals

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E210 Basic Standards

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E213 Periodicals Mailing Privileges

* * * * *

2.0 MAILING WHILE APPLICATION PENDING

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2.2 Record of Deposits

[Revise 2.2 to read as follows:]

If postage is paid by advance deposit account, the USPS keeps a record of deposits and mailings made while an application is pending. The amount that would be charged at the applicable Standard Mail or Package Services rates or the Airmail Letter-Post or Economy Letter-Post international rates must be paid until final action is taken on the application. No record is kept of postage paid at First-Class rates or of postage not paid by advance deposit account. Records should be kept for First-Class rate mailings that may qualify for a refund under the exception in E213.3.6.

* * * * *

- Mailing Standards,
Pricing and Classification, 6-24-04

DMM AND IMM REMINDER

Upcoming Mail Preparation Changes

Upcoming mail preparation changes are summarized in the table below. We will incorporate all of these changes into the Domestic Mail Manual (DMMTM) or the International Mail Manual (IMM), as appropriate.

As a reminder, the DMM and IMM are available for customers and employees on the Postal ExplorerŽ Web site at http://pe.usps.gov. The DMM is updated monthly; the IMM is updated every 2 weeks.

- Mailing Standards,
Pricing and Classification, 6-24-04

REMINDER

Administration of the Private Express Statutes

The Private Express Statutes (PES) are a group of federal civil and criminal laws that, for the most part, make it unlawful for any entity other than the Postal ServiceTM to send or carry letters over post routes for compensation, unless appropriate postage is paid in an amount equaling what would have been paid had the letters been sent through the Postal Service. There are certain suspensions and exceptions under which letters can be privately carried without paying postage. Information on the PES and their applicability is published in Publication 542, Understanding the Private Express Statutes.

The Chicago Rates and Classification Service Center (RCSC) is responsible for the national administration of the PES, and the district manager of Business Mail Entry is the district coordinator for administration of the PES.

If you have questions concerning the administration of the PES, please contact the manager of Business Mail Entry at your district office, or the Chicago RCSC. Contact information for the Chicago RCSC specialist responsible for the administration of the PES is as follows:

CHUCK STEINAU
RATES AND CLASSIFICATION SERVICE CENTER
US POSTAL SERVICE
3900 GABRIELLE LN RM 111
FOX VALLEY IL 60597-9599

E-mail: chuck.s.steinau@usps.gov
Telephone: 630-978-4312
Fax: 630-978-4295

Publication 542 (6/1998) is available on the Postal Service PolicyNet Web site:

• Go to http://blue.usps.gov.

• Under "Essential Links" in the left-hand column, click on References.

• Under "References" in the right-hand column, next to "PolicyNet," click on text.

• Then click on HBKs.

It is also available on the Postal Service Internet:

• Go to www.usps.com.

• Click on About USPS & News, then Forms & Publications, then Postal Periodicals and Publications, and then Publications.

The Material Distribution Center (MDC) has a limited supply of Publication 542, and you can order copies while supplies last. (Although the MDC will not stock copies after the remaining supply is exhausted, Publication 542 will still be available on the web as noted previously.)

To order copies from the MDC, use touch tone order entry (TTOE): Call 800-332-0317, option 2.

Note: You must be registered to use TTOE. To register, call 800-332-0317, option 1, extension 2925, and follow the prompts to leave a message. (Wait 48 hours after registering before placing your first order).

Use the following information to order Publication 542:

PSIN: PUB542
PSN: 7610-04-000-5115
Unit of Measure: EA
Minimum Order Quantity: 1
Bulk Pack Quantity: 100
Quick Pick Number: N/A
Price: No cost

- Mailing Standards,
Pricing and Classification, 6-24-04

PS FORM 1500

Proper Procedures for Completing and Accepting Applications for Prohibitory Orders

The Prohibitory Order Processing Center in Memphis is publishing these reminders to help customers properly complete applications for prohibitory orders - using PS Form 1500, Application for Listing and/or Prohibitory Order - and to help Postal ServiceTM personnel review the submitted forms for accuracy and completeness.

If you review these questions with the customer, you will help us to reduce the number of incomplete and improperly completed applications we receive.

• "Did the customer sign the form?" The customer must sign PS Form 1500 before submitting it.

• "Is the customer authorized to sign the form?" Only the addressee listed on the mailpiece can sign PS Form 1500, unless the addressee listed on the mailpiece is a minor or a deceased person.

• "Did the customer submit the mailpiece - the complete mailpiece - with the form?" The customer must submit the complete mailpiece (i.e., contents, envelope or wrapper, and address labels) along with PS Form 1500.

• "Did the customer submit a separate PS Form 1500 for each sender?" The customer must submit a separate PS Form 1500 for each sender, and may submit multiple mailpieces with just one PS Form 1500 only if all the mailpieces are from the same sender.

Postal ServiceTM employees accepting PS Form 1500s must review the forms carefully for completeness and accuracy before sending them to the Prohibitory Order Processing Center. PS Form 1500 contains detailed instructions for what customers and employees must do to complete and submit the form properly.

- Prohibitory Order Processing Center,
Pricing and Classification, 6-24-04

Employees

ORDERING INFORMATION

50-Year Service Pin

Effective June 24, 2004, the 50-year service pin is available at the Material Distribution Center (MDC) and is no longer available through Compensation, Employee Resource Management, at Headquarters.

You can order the 50-year service pin from the MDC by using touch tone order entry (TTOE): Call 800-332-0317, option 2.

Note: You must be registered to use TTOE. To register, call 800-332-0317, option 1, extension 2925, and follow the prompts to leave a message. (Wait 48 hours after registering before placing your first order.)

Use the following information to order the 50-year service pin:

PSIN: O917J
PSN: 9905-01-365-1965
Unit of Measure: EA
Minimum Order Quantity: 1
Quick Pick Number: N/A
Bulk Pack Quantity: 50
Price: No cost

- Compensation,
Employee Resource Management, 6-24-04

2004 U.S. Postal Service National Awards Program for Diversity Achievement

The Postal ServiceTM seeks nominations for the 2004 National Awards Program for Diversity Achievement. Established in 1993, this awards program recognizes individuals and teams that have made significant contributions to encourage and promote diversity within their organization.

All career Postal Service employees are eligible for nomination and participation - excluding the Diversity and Human Capital Development manager, senior Diversity Development program coordinator, Diversity Development specialist, and Hispanic Program specialists, except where noted as an essential member of a team.

The Postal Service gives awards in the following five categories:

• Individual

• Leadership

• Team

• Altruism

• Dot Sharpe Lifetime Achievement

Nominate employees who demonstrate excellent performance in achieving diversity goals that focus on the customer, the employee, and the business.

The nomination deadline is August 20, 2004. Choose between the following two ways to submit your nominations:

• If you have intranet access, complete and submit nominations through the Diversity Development Web site at http://blue.usps.gov/diversitynet/awards/welcome.htm.

• If you do not have intranet access, contact your local senior Diversity Development programs coordinator or specialist for instructions to complete and submit a nomination. If you do not know who your local senior Diversity Development programs coordinator and specialist are, you can call Manny Vasquez, Diversity Development specialist, at 202-268-5134.

Winners will be recognized within their own areas or districts at a time specified by the area vice presidents or district managers. See the "Eligibility at a Glance" table on page 5 for specific criteria.

National Awards Program for Diversity Achievement - Eligibility at a Glance

- Headquarters and Field Programs,
Diversity Development, 6-24-04

Revision to Postal Service Guidelines on Anthrax

Emergency planning and response in general have undergone significant improvements, and Postal ServiceTM guidance on how to respond to anthrax in the mail has undergone major changes. The "Interim Guidelines for Sampling, Analysis, Decontamination, and Disposal of B. Anthracis Spores in USPS Facilities," dated December 2003, is hereby revised to delete Section 4-7, USPS Roles and Lines of Responsibility, to more accurately reflect these changes.

This revision reflects the obsoleting of policies that no longer apply, that is, Management Instruction EL-860-1999-3, Emergency Response to Mail Allegedly Containing Anthrax, and Memorandum of Policy (MOP) EP-03-22-2002, Emergency Management, are obsolete.

The "Interim Guidelines for Sampling, Analysis, Decontamination, and Disposal of B. Anthracis Spores in USPS Facilities" is part of the Postal Service Integrated Emergency Management Plan (IEMP), which will be updated to reflect the deletion of Section 4-7.

Postal Service MOP EP-01-13-2004, Emergency Preparedness Policy, establishes the IEMP as the Postal Service plan to mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from any natural disaster or man-made hazard. (See http://blue.usps.gov/cpim/mops.htm or http://blue.usps.gov/emergencypreparedness.)

- Safety Performance Management,
Employee Resource Management, 6-24-04

Election Campaigns - Hatch Act and Other Requirements

Hatch Act Requirements for Postal Service Employees

The Hatch Act affects some political activities, including off-duty activities, for Postal ServiceTM employees. The Office of Special Counsel, which investigates possible Hatch Act violations, has prepared examples of permitted and prohibited activities for federal, including Postal Service, employees:

Postal Service employees may:

• Be candidates for public office in nonpartisan elections.

• Register and vote as they choose.

• Assist in voter registration drives.

• Express opinions about candidates and issues.

• Contribute money to political organizations.

• Attend political fundraising functions.

• Attend and be active at political rallies and meetings.

• Join and be an active member of a political party or club.

• Sign nominating petitions.

• Campaign for or against referendum questions, constitutional amendments, and municipal ordinances.

• Campaign for or against candidates in partisan elections.

• Make campaign speeches for candidates in partisan elections.

• Distribute campaign literature in partisan elections.

• Hold office in political clubs or parties.

But, Postal Service employees may not:

• Be candidates for public office in partisan elections.

• Use their official authority or influence to interfere with an election.

• Collect political contributions unless both individuals are members of the same federal labor organization or employee organization and the one solicited is not a subordinate employee.

• Knowingly solicit or discourage the political activity of any person who has business before the agency.

• Engage in political activity while on duty.

• Engage in political activity in any government office.

• Engage in political activity while wearing an official uniform.

• Engage in political activity while using a government vehicle.

• Solicit political contributions from the general public.

• Wear political buttons on duty.

For further information about the Hatch Act, please contact the Field Law Office that serves your location, or contact the Ethics Helpline by telephone at 202-268-6346 or by e-mail at ethics.help@usps.gov.

Campaigning on Postal Service Premises

Because 2004 is an election year, candidates may seek to use Postal Service premises for campaign purposes. Postal Service regulations (see Postal Operations Manual 124.54; 39 CFR 232.1; and Poster 7, Rules and Regulations Governing Conduct on Postal Property) prohibit campaigning for election to public office on leased or owned Postal Service property. Tell individuals who ask about the availability of Postal Service property for such purposes about the prohibition, and give them a copy of the regulations. The following points will help you interpret and apply the regulations:

• The focus of the regulations is to identify activities that are "prohibited." Activities that are not prohibited by any of the regulations are permitted. For example, in the context of political campaigning, informational leafleting would be permitted, so long as the information in the leaflet itself is not political campaigning and the leafleting were carried out in a way that does not disrupt Postal Service business.

• Campaigning for election to public office is prohibited on Postal Service property, even if the candidate is independent of any political party.

• The regulations do not prohibit all activities related to political issues. For example, distributing literature pertaining to a referendum or ballot measure is permitted. The regulations do prohibit, however, the solicitation of signatures on petitions, polls, and surveys.

• The regulations prohibit depositing posters or literature on Postal Service property, obstructing entrances, any activity that tends to impede or disturb the public in transacting Postal Service business, the sale of goods, and the solicitation of contributions on Postal Service property.

• The regulations cover activity only on Postal Service premises. Activity outside Postal Service property, even if it affects our premises, is not governed by our regulations.

Local managers should pose questions about the Postal Service's conduct regulations to their district or plant manager or designee, who should contact counsel in the appropriate area legal office. When necessary, counsel will coordinate with the Postal Inspection Service to enforce the regulations.

Information Technology

NEW MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTION

MI EL 660-2004-02, Limited Personal Use of Government Office Equipment Including Information Technology

Management Instruction (MI) EL 660-2004-02, Limited Personal Use of Government Office Equipment Including Information Technology, is available on the Postal ServiceTM PolicyNet Web site:

• Go to http://blue.usps.gov.

• Under "Essential Links" in the left-hand column, click on References.

• Under "References" in the right-hand column, next to "PolicyNet," click on text.

• Then click on MIs.

The MI, which replaces MI EL-660-2000-5, Limited Personal Use of Government Office Equipment, establishes the Postal Service's policy and guidelines regarding personal use of government office equipment, including information technology. The MI also provides a list of instances under which limited personal use is not permitted.

Management at each Postal Service employment installation may permit employees to make limited personal use of Postal Service office equipment, including information technology, provided such use is not performed on the employee's work time, does not interfere with the mission or operations of the Postal Service, and does not violate the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch (5 CFR 2635).

- Corporate Information Security,
Information Technology, 6-24-04

International Mail

IMM AND PUBLICATION 51 REVISIONS

Global Express Guaranteed Service

Effective July 1, 2004, the International Mail Manual (IMM) and Publication 51, International Postage Rates and Fees, are revised to reflect updates to Global Express GuaranteedŽ (GXGTM) service. The Postal ServiceTM has selected FedEx Corporation as its new alliance partner for delivery of GXG, a date-certain international shipping product to more than 190 countries worldwide. The revisions to these documents reflect the new alliance and the resulting service enhancements.

We will incorporate these revisions into the printed version of IMM Issue 30 and into the next printed version of Publication 51, and also into the online versions of the IMM and Publication 51, both of which can be accessed via Postal ExplorerŽ at http://pe.usps.gov.

International Mail Manual (IMM)

* * * * *

1 International Mail Services

* * * * *

120 Preparation for Mailing

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123 Customs Forms

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123.6 Required Usage

123.61 Conditions

* * * * *

Exhibit 123.61 Customs Declarations Forms Usage

[Revise the first row in the exhibit to read as follows (noting a change in the required form):]

* * * * *

140 International Mail Categories

141 Definitions

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141.2 Global Express Guaranteed

[Revise 141.2 to read as follows:]

Global Express Guaranteed is the U.S. Postal Service's premium international mail service. Global Express Guaranteed is an expedited delivery service that is the product of a business alliance between the U.S. Postal Service and FedEx Corporation. It provides reliable, high-speed, time- definite service from designated U.S. ZIP CodeTM areas to locations in most destination countries. Global Express Guaranteed is assured to meet destination-specific delivery standards or the postage will be refunded. If a shipment is lost or damaged, liability for lost or damaged merchandise or for document reconstruction is limited to a maximum of $100 or the amount of additional optional insurance purchased. The maximum weight limit for this service is 70 pounds, but some countries have a lower maximum weight limit. Countries with reduced weight limits are specified in the Individual Country Listings and in Publication 141, Global Express Guaranteed Service Guide.

* * * * *

143 Official Mail

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143.2 Postal Service Mailings

[Revise the second sentence in 143.2 to read as follows:]

*** Postal Service official mail is subject to a 66-pound weight limit except for Global Express Mail destined for countries that have a higher limit and Global Express Guaranteed shipments going to authorized destination countries that have a 70-pound weight limit.

* * * * *

2 Conditions for Mailing

210 Global Express Guaranteed

211 Description

211.1 General

[Revise the first sentence and the second-to-last sentence of 211.1 to read as follows:]

Global Express GuaranteedŽ (GXGTM) service is an international expedited delivery service provided through an alliance with FedEx Corporation. *** For almost all network destinations, liability insurance is provided for lost or damaged shipments.***

* * * * *

213 Service Areas

213.1 U.S. Origins

[Revise the text and the table in 213.1 to read as follows:]

Global Express Guaranteed items must be entered through selected Post Office facilities that are located in the following ZIP Code areas. Not all facilities within a 3-digit ZIP Code area accept Global Express Guaranteed items. Check with your local Post Office facility for a participating Post Office facility near you.

213.2 Destinating Countries and Rate Groups

[Revise 213.2 to read as follows (the first paragraph has no revisions, but we reprint here so that the section is complete):]

Global Express Guaranteed service is available to the following destinating countries and territories. For rate purposes, countries have been placed into one of eight rate groups.

Global Express Guaranteed service is available to all locations that are referenced in the Individual Country Listings except for the following:

Algeria
Ascension
Burma
Central African Republic
Comoros
Cuba
Falkland Islands
Guinea-Bissau
Iran
Kiribati
Korea, Democratic People's Republic of (North Korea)
Libya
Nauru
Pitcairn Island
Saint Helena
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Sao Tome and Principe
Sierra Leone
Solomon Islands
Somalia
Sudan
Tajikistan
Tonga
Tristan de Cunha
Tuvalu
Western Samoa

The following countries are limited to Global Express Guaranteed Document service only:

Andorra
Bhutan
Iraq
Serbia-Montenegro
Syrian Arab Republic (Syria)

* * * * *

214 Service Guarantee

214.1 General

[Revise the second sentence in 214.1 to read as follows:]

*** For the purpose of the money-back delivery guarantee, the date and time of delivery, attempted delivery, or availability for delivery constitutes delivery.

* * * * *

215 Inquiries, Postage Refunds, and Indemnity Claims

* * * * *

215.2 Postage Refunds

[Revise 215.2 to read as follows:]

Postage may be refunded for a shipment mailed at a participating Post Office facility before the specified deposit time if the carrier does not deliver the shipment, does not attempt to deliver the shipment, or does not make the shipment available in accordance with the Money-Back Delivery Guarantee standards in Publication 141 on or before close of business in the local time zone in the delivery location. To request refunds or obtain details on how to file a claim, contact a customer service representative at 800-222-1811. The original receipt of the Global Express Guaranteed Air Waybill/Shipping Invoice (shipping label) is required for a postage refund. Requests for postage refunds must be made no later than 30 days from the date of mailing. Shipments to post office box addresses are not eligible for refunds. The signature of the recipient or recipient's agent is required upon delivery of the refund.

* * * * *

215.4 Extent of Postal Service Liability for Lost or Damaged Contents

215.41 Document Service Shipments

[Revise the first sentence of 215.41 to read as follows (adding the introductory "for" phrase):]

For almost all network destinations, liability for a lost or damaged Document service shipment is limited to the lowest of the following:

* * * * *

215.42 Non-Document Service Shipments

[Revise the first sentence of 215.42 to read as follows (adding the introductory "for" phrase):]

For almost all network destinations, liability for a lost or damaged Non-Document service shipment is limited to the lowest of the following:

* * * * *

215.5 Insurance

215.51 Insurance for Document Service Shipments

[Revise 215.51 to read as follows:]

For almost all network destinations, document reconstruction insurance (the reasonable costs incurred in reconstructing duplicates of nonnegotiable documents mailed), up to $100 per shipment, is included at no additional charge. For almost all network destinations, additional document reconstruction insurance may be purchased for Document service shipments, as outlined in section 215.53, not to exceed the total cost of reconstruction, $2,499, or a lesser amount as limited by country, content, or value. Coverage, terms, and limitations are subject to change.

215.52 Insurance for Non-Document Service Shipments

[Revise 215.52 to read as follows:]

For almost all network destinations, Non-Document insurance for loss or damage up to $100 per shipment is included at no additional charge. For almost all network destinations, additional Non-Document insurance may be purchased for shipments, as outlined in section 215.53, not to exceed the total declared shipment value, $2,499, or a lesser amount as limited by country, content, or value. Coverage, terms, and limitations are subject to change.

* * * * *

216 Postage

* * * * *

216.4 Payment of Postage

216.41 Methods of Payment

[Revise 216.41 to read as follows:]

Postage may be paid by postage stamps, postage validation imprinter (PVI) labels, postage meter strips, PC postage, or other payment methods noted on the Global Express Guaranteed Web site at www.usps.com/gxg.

* * * * *

[Revise the title for 217 to read as follows:]

217 Sizes and Weights

217.1 General

[Revise 217.1 to read as follows (adding the "unless" phrase at the end):]

The weight, dimensional weight, and size limits set forth in this section are the same for both Global Express Guaranteed Document service shipments and Non-Document service shipments unless otherwise noted in the Individual Country Listings.

* * * * *

217.4 Size Limits

217.41 Minimum Size

[Revise 217.41 to read as follows:]

An envelope or package must be large enough to hold on its face the postage and the plastic pouch that carries the Global Express Guaranteed Air Waybill/Shipping Invoice (shipping label). The shipping label is approximately 5.5 inches high and 9.5 inches long, and the plastic pouch that carries it is approximately 7 inches high and 12 inches long.

* * * * *

Index of Countries and Localities

[Revise the Index of Countries and Localities by adding (in alphabetical order) an entry to read as follows:]

* * * * *

United Kingdom (Great Britain)

* * * * *

Individual Country Listings

[For every country that has Global Express Guaranteed service (see 213.2), revise the Individual Country Listing by replacing "Size Limits (217.4)" and "General Conditions for Mailing" to read as follows:]

Size Limits (217.4)

An item must be large enough to hold on its face the postage and the plastic pouch that carries the Global Express Guaranteed Air Waybill/Shipping Invoice (shipping label). The shipping label is approximately 5.5 inches high and 9.5 inches long, and the plastic pouch that carries it is approximately 7 inches high and 12 inches long.

Maximum length: 46 inches
Maximum width: 35 inches
Maximum height: 46 inches
Maximum length and girth combined: 108 inches

General Conditions for Mailing

See Publication 141, Global Express Guaranteed Service Guide, for information about areas served in the destination country, allowable contents, packaging and labeling requirements, tracking and tracing, service standards, and other conditions for mailing.

* * * * *

For the following countries, revise the Individual Country Listing to read as follows (we have included the previously noted revised text for "Size Limits (217.4)" and "General Conditions for Mailing" for countries that are new participants in the GXG service):]

Afghanistan

* * * * *

Global Express Guaranteed (210)

[Revise the entry for GXG to read as follows (noting that service is now available):]

Insurance (215.5)

Sizes Limits (217.4)

An item must be large enough to hold on its face the postage and the plastic pouch that carries the Global Express Guaranteed Air Waybill/Shipping Invoice (shipping label). The shipping label is approximately 5.5 inches high and 9.5 inches long, and the plastic pouch that carries it is approximately 7 inches high and 12 inches long.

Maximum length: 46 inches
Maximum width: 35 inches
Maximum height: 46 inches
Maximum length and girth combined: 108 inches

General Conditions for Mailing

See Publication 141, Global Express Guaranteed Service Guide, for information about areas served in the destination country, allowable contents, packaging and labeling requirements, tracking and tracing, service standards, and other conditions for mailing.

* * * * *

Algeria

* * * * *

Global Express Guaranteed (210)

[Revise the entry for GXG by removing all information and adding text to read as follows:]

Not Available

* * * * *

International Mail continued