Domestic Mail
REVISED FORM
PS Form 8125, Plant Verified Drop Shipment (PVDS) Verification and Clearance
We have revised PS Form 8125, Plant Verified Drop
Shipment (PVDS) Verification and Clearance. The revised
edition is dated February 2005.
This edition of PS Form 8125 allows mailers to include
more specific information about the mail preparation of
shipments destined to be entered at another Postal
ServiceTM facility. (This information appears in item 13i-vi.)
Although providing this information is optional for mailers
and is not conditional for acceptance of the mail, this information will allow the Postal Service to process drop
shipments more efficiently.
The Postal Service will still accept previous versions
of PS Form 8125 - the oldest usable edition is dated
August 2001.
PS Form 8125 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, under
"Policies," click on PolicyNet.
• Click on Forms.
(The direct URL for the Postal Service PolicyNet Web
Site is http://blue.usps.gov/cpim.)
— Business Mail Acceptance,
Service and Market Development, 2-17-05
OBSOLETE REGISTERED MAIL LABEL AND FORM
Elimination of Label 89 and PS Form 3830-A
Under section 5-2.6 of Handbook DM-901, Registered
Mail, Label 89, Closing Registered Mail Container, is discontinued. This label is no longer required to seal envelope
container EP-399. Items placed in the EP-399 container
should be secured with a rubber band instead of Label 89.
PS Form 3830-A, Registry Dispatch Record, is obsolete.
Information that would normally be recorded on PS Form
3830-A should now be recorded on PS Form 3854, Manifold Registry Dispatch Book. PS Form 3830-A was used to
identify Registered MailTM items that were being placed on
a highway contract route (HCR) truck when the driver was
not signing for the mail. Under the new regulations outlined
in sections 4-2.1.2 and 4-3.1 of Handbook DM-901, HCR
drivers are now required to sign PS Form 3854 for the
Registered Mail items they are accepting.
- Value Added and Special Services,
Product Development, 2-17-05
DMM CORRECTION
NCOALINK Replaces NCOA
[The title of this article, which appeared in Postal Bulletin
22147, has been corrected.]
Effective February 3, 2005, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) A030.1.4, A910.6.1, A950.1.3, and G912.2.1 are
revised to change terminology from "National Change of
Address" to "National Change of Address Linkage System"
and from "NCOA" to "NCOALINK."
The NCOA text file version was discontinued October 1,
2004, and replaced with NCOALINK, a more-secure format. NCOALINK provides the same change-of-address
information as NCOA.
This change affects terminology only and does not represent any change to mail preparation standards or Postal
ServiceTM policy.
We will incorporate these revisions into the printed version of DMM 59 and into the online version available via
Postal Explorer® at http://pe.usps.gov.
Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)
A Addressing
A000 Basic Addressing
* * * * *
A030 Address Quality
1.0 MOVE UPDATE
* * * * *
1.4 USPS-Approved Methods
The following methods are authorized for meeting the Move
Update standard:
* * * * *
[Revise item b to read as follows:]
b. National Change of Address Linkage System
(NCOALINK).
* * * * *
A900 Customer Support
A910 Mailing List Services
* * * * *
6.0 ELECTION BOARDS AND VOTER
REGISTRATION COMMISSIONS
6.1 General
[Revise 6.1 to read as follows:]
Election boards or voter registration commissions may use
the "Return Service Requested" endorsement and/or the
National Change of Address Linkage System (NCOALINK)
to maintain current address lists.
* * * * *
A950 Coding Accuracy Support System (CASS)
1.0 BASIC INFORMATION
* * * * *
1.3 Methods
[Revise 1.3 to read as follows:]
Delivery point or ZIP+4 coding may be obtained by using
the National Change of Address Linkage System
(NCOALINK); CASS-certified DPC address matching software; CASS-certified Z4CHANGE process; or Delivery
Sequence File, Second Generation (DSF2) process.
* * * * *
G General Information
* * * * *
G900 Experimental Classification and Rate Filings
G910 Negotiated Service Agreements
* * * * *
G912 Capital One Services, Inc. NSA
* * * * *
2.0 FEATURES
2.1 Requirements
To be considered comparable to the NSA in 1.0, a
proposed NSA must have the following features:
* * * * *
e. Adherence to the following address quality standards
for the rates claimed:
* * * * *
[Revise item (2) to read as follows:]
(2) Use of National Change of Address Linkage
System (NCOALINK), FASTforward, or other premailing USPS-approved method for meeting the
move update standards in E130 for Presorted
First-Class Mail and E140 for automation rate
First-Class Mail. In addition to those standards,
addresses used on mailings must be updated
more frequently than 180 days or as required by
the NSA.
* * * * *
— Mailing Standards,
Pricing and Classification, 2-17-05
Employees
REMINDER
Use eAwards for Cash Equivalent Awards
American Express Gift Cheques and other cash-
equivalent instruments, regardless of amount, are
considered income and must be reported through eAwards.
Note that Postal ServiceTM policy prohibits cash and cash
equivalent awards for noncareer employees.
Consult Employee and Labor Relations Manual (ELM)
470, Incentive Awards and Service Recognition; Postal
Bulletin updates; and the eAwards Web site for up-to-date
information on award reporting and eligibility requirements.
— Compensation,
Employee Resource Management, 2-17-05
Finance
HANDBOOK REVISION
Handbook F-15, Travel and Relocation
Effective February 4, 2005, Handbook F-15, Travel and
Relocation (February 2004), is revised to reflect reimbursement rates for travel and relocation. These rates also apply
to bargaining unit relocation benefits under Handbook
F-12, Relocation Policy.
We will incorporate these revisions into the next printed
edition of Handbook F-15 and into the next update of the
online version accessible 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, under
"Policies," click on PolicyNet.
• Then click on HBKs.
Handbook F-15, Travel and Relocation
* * * * *
Appendix A Rates
A-1 Standard Mileage Rates
A-1.1 Mileage Rates
[Revise the text of A-1.1 to read as follows:]
| Vehicle |
Cents per mile
(Including Alaska) |
| Privately owned automobile |
$ 0.405 |
| Privately owned motorcycle |
$ 0.305 |
| Privately owned airplane |
$ 1.070 |
Odometer readings are not required on the respective
claim forms; the integrity of the claim is the responsibility of
the traveler. However, if the approving official has reason to
question the claim, the claimant must provide evidence that
supports the claim of distance traveled.
A-1.2 Reimbursement for Postal Service
Supervisors
[Revise the text of A-1.2 to read as follows:]
Postal Service supervisors (see 5-5.2.1.2) will be reimbursed at the rate of $6.00 per day or 40.5 cents per mile,
whichever is greater, when a privately owned vehicle is
used. Do not use the eTravel system when claiming the
$6.00 daily rate, because the excess of the daily rate over
the actual mileage is taxable as compensation to the
claimant. You should claim the $6.00 daily rate by submitting PS Form 1164-A, Claim for Reimbursement for Postal
Supervisors, to the Scanning and Imaging Center.
* * * * *
—National Accounting,
Finance, 2-17-05
HANDBOOK F-1 REVISION
Stamp Stock Limits
Post OfficeTM and postal retail unit stamp stock totals are
comprised of the total amount of stamp stock credits assigned and the unit reserve stock. Offices under
Segmented Inventory Accountability (SIA) must also include the retail floor stock. Effective February 1, 2005,
stamp stock limits for Post Offices and postal retail units are
based on 3-months of stamp stock sales.
We will incorporate these revisions into the next printed
edition of Handbook F-1 and into the next update of the online version accessible 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, under
"Policies," click on PolicyNet.
• Then click on HBKs.
Handbook F-1, Post Office Accounting
Procedures
* * * * *
4 Managing Accountable Paper
* * * * *
42 Managing Accountable Paper at Stations,
Branches, and Post Offices With Stamp
Accountability
* * * * *
422 Accepting Custody - Postmaster or Stamp
Stock Custodian
* * * * *
422.2 Establishing Stamp Stock Limits
[Revise the title and text of 422.21 to read as follows:]
422.21 Total Office Accountability for Post Offices
and Postal Retail Units
Maintain a 3-month stamp stock level based on your sales.
Do not, at any time, exceed the 3-month stamp sales level
for your office. For example, if your monthly stamp sales
total is $500.00, then your stamp stock level should not
exceed $1,500.00 (3 months x $500.00 = $1,500.00).
Note: When calculating the stamp stock limits, the total
sales recorded in AICs 084 through 092 and AICs 094
through 096 are added together to determine the total
accountability of a unit.
[Delete 422.211 and 422.212.]
[Revise the title and text of 422.22 to read as follows:]
422.22 Stamp Stock Credits Assigned from the Unit
Reserve
Stamp stock credits are assigned to individual employees
using PS Form 3369, Consigned Credit Receipt. Individual
stamp credit amounts are limited to customer demands.
The total value of the unit's stamp stock accountability must
be consistent with the protection available (security
equipment) as outlined in section 416.1.
Retail associates must not trade or purchase from one
another in order to maintain individual accountability. Only
in an emergency and authorized by a supervisor may a retail associate ship to or receive stock from another retail
associate. Complete PS Form 17, Stamp Requisition/Stamp Return, in duplicate. Enter the names of both retail
associates and the stock involved on PS Form 17. Each retail associate must keep a copy until the next stamp stock
credit examination.
422.3 Determining Stamp Stock Quantities
[Revise the text of 422.3 to read as follows:]
Do not maintain more than the 3-month stamp sales level
for your office.
• MOVES and SPORT offices must maintain PS Form
3295, Daily Record of Stamps, Stamped Paper, and
Nonpostal Stamps on Hand, for each stamp stock
item.
• IRT and POS ONE offices must use the computer-
generated inventory listing and stamp stock usage
reports.
* * * * *
48 Managing Accountable Paper and Cash at
Offices With Segmented Inventory
Accountability
* * * * *
482 Responsibility for Retail Unit Operations
* * * * *
[Insert new 482.3 to read as follows:]
482.3 Total Office Accountability for Postal Retail
Units
Maintain a 3-month stamp stock level based on your sales.
Do not, at any time, exceed the 3-month stamp sales level
for your office. For example, if your monthly stamp sales
total is $500.00, then your stamp stock level should not
exceed $1,500.00 (3 months x $500.00 = $1,500.00).
Note: When calculating the stamp stock limits, the total
sales recorded in AICs 084 through 092 and AICs 094
through 096 are added together to determine the total
accountability of a unit.
483 Unit Reserve Responsibility
* * * * *
[Delete item number 7.]
* * * * *
— Revenue and Field Accounting,
Finance, 2-17-05
REVISED PUBLICATION
Publication 122, Customer Guide to Filing Domestic Insurance Claims or Registered
Mail Inquires
Effective, February 17, 2005, Publication (PUB) 122, Customer Guide to Filing Domestic Insurance Claims or
Registered Mail Inquiries, is revised to include changes
pertaining to filing indemnity claims as published in Postal
Bulletin 22127 (4-29-04, pages 36-42 and 63). Publication
122 is a handy publication for customers whose mail article
was lost or damaged. It explains who can file a claim, as
well as where, when, and how to file a claim. All Post
OfficesTM and Postal ServiceTM retail units where parcels
are mailed or indemnity claims are filed must ensure that
this publication is available for distribution to customers.
Recycling/Discarding Existing Stock
Upon arrival of the November 2004 edition of
Publication 122, the Material Distribution Center (MDC) will
recycle/discard all previous editions of the publication. All
Post Offices and Postal Service retail units also should
recycle/discard copies of old publications and use only the
November 2004 edition.
Ordering the Revised Publication
Post Offices and Postal Service retail units can order
Publication 122 from the Material Distribution Center
(MDC) by using the touch tone order entry (TTOE) system:
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 122:
PSIN: PUB122
PSN: 7610-03-000-9059
Unit of Measure: EA
Minimum Order Quantity: 1
Quick Pick Number: 260
Bulk Pack Quantity: 450
Price: $0.1320
Viewing PUB 122 on USPS.com
PUB 122 is available on the Postal Service Web site:
• Go to www.usps.com.
• Click on About USPS & News.
• Click on Forms and Publications.
• Click on Postal Periodicals and Publications.
• Click on Publications.
— Revenue and Field Accounting,
Finance, 2-17-05
