Domestic Mail

DMM REVISION

New Marking Requirement for Bound Printed Matter Machinable Parcels

Effective July 6, 2006, mailers must place a new marking on Bound Printed Matter (BPM) machinable parcels consisting of multiple pieces secured with transparent shrinkwrap. The new marking will enable our automated equipment to recognize that these BPM machinable parcels are intended for a single address. The marking does not apply to BPM flats or irregular parcels.

Under the new standards in 402.2.0 and 708.7.0 of the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®), when a BPM machinable parcel consists of multiple pieces for a single address secured with transparent shrinkwrap, mailers must label the parcel using one of the following options:

• A firm optional endorsement line (OEL), followed by the 5-digit destination ZIP CodeTM of the parcel.

• A blue, pressure-sensitive, barcoded Label F on the address side of the parcel.

The new firm OEL or pressure-sensitive Label F requirement applies only to BPM machinable parcels consisting of multiple pieces secured with transparent shrinkwrap. A BPM parcel prepared with a cardboard box, for example, does not require a firm OEL or Label F.

The effective date of these changes is July 6, 2006, but mailers are encouraged to use the new marking as soon as possible.

Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)

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400 Discount Mail Parcels

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402 Elements on the Face of a Mailpiece

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2.0 Placement and Content of Markings

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2.2 Parcel Post, Bound Printed Matter, Media Mail, and Library Mail Markings

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[Renumber 2.2.5 and 2.2.6 as 2.2.6 and 2.2.7. Add new 2.2.5 as follows:]

2.2.5 Address and Firm Designation on Bound Printed Matter Machinable Parcels

When a Bound Printed Matter machinable parcel consists of multiple pieces for a single address secured with transparent shrinkwrap, the delivery address information and barcoded pressure-sensitive Label F or firm optional endorsement line must be visible and readable by the naked eye. Mailers must label the parcel using one of the following options:

a. A firm optional endorsement line under 708.7.0, followed by the 5-digit destination ZIP Code of the parcel.

b. A blue, pressure-sensitive, barcoded Label F on the address side of the parcel.

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700 Special Standards

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708 Technical Specifications

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7.0 Optional Endorsement Lines (OELs)

7.1 OEL Use

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Exhibit 7.1.1 OEL Formats

[Revise Exhibit 7.1.1 by adding an OEL example for BPM parcels as follows:]

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We will incorporate this revision into the July 6, 2006, update of the online DMM on Postal Explorer® at http://pe.usps.com and into the next printed edition.

— Mailing Standards,
Pricing and Classification, 3-30-06

DMM CORRECTION

Sack Preparation Changes for Periodicals Mail

Effective May 11, 2006, we are adopting new mailing standards for Periodicals mail prepared in sacks. The standards include two new types of sacks - a 3-digit carrier routes sack and a merged 3-digit sack - and a new minimum of 24 pieces for most other sacks. We published this revision in the January 19, 2006, Postal Bulletin 22172, but gave the wrong sack labeling information in 705.10.1.4h of the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®). We provide the corrected line 2 labeling information below. These corrected standards are also effective on May 11, 2006.

Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)

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700 Special Standards

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705 Advanced Preparation and Special Postage Payment Systems

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10.0 Preparation for Merged Containerization of Bundles of Flats Using City State Product

10.1 Periodicals

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10.1.4 Sack Preparation and Labeling

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[Revise item h as follows:]

h. Merged 3-digit.***

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2. Line 2: "PER" or "NEWS" as applicable, followed by "FLTS" or "IRREG" as applicable, followed by "CR/5D/3D." If there are no automation rate bundles in the mailing job, label under 707.22.6.

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We will incorporate this correction into the May 11, 2006, update of the online DMM on Postal Explorer® at http://pe.usps.com and into the next printed edition.

— Mailing Standards,
Pricing and Classification, 3-30-06

NOTICE

Update to Periodicals Zone Analysis Program

The Postal ServiceTM has updated the reporting requirements for the Zone Analysis Program (ZAP) by clarifying that Periodicals mailers may show the ZAP software certification information in the heading of the USPS Qualification Report or standardized documentation rather than on PS Form 3541, Postage Statement - Periodicals - One Issue or One Edition. The ZAP software certification information includes the ZAP option and the effective date of the USPS Zone Chart Matrix used by the Periodicals mailer. The previous format for listing the applicable ZAP information on PS Form 3541 is also acceptable.

We have incorporated this update on page 16 of the ZAP Technical Guide, which is available on the RIBBS Web site at http://ribbs.usps.gov/index.html; under "RIBBS Links," click on ZAP, then ZAP Publications, then ZAP Technical Guide 2006-2007.PDF.

The Postal ServiceTM developed ZAP to assist publishers who use PS Form 3541 to allocate Periodicals copies to the correct zone based upon the most up-to-date USPS® zone information. ZAP is also intended to simplify postage verification procedures by Postal Service employees. ZAP helps allow the Postal Service to ensure that the zones claimed and the postage paid by Periodicals publishers using PS Form 3541 are accurate and reflect the most current zone information available from the Postal Service.

ZAP-approved software accurately assigns zones using the USPS Zone Chart Matrix (national electronic zone charts) and is updated at least once each calendar year. Several different ZAP options are available depending upon the size of mailings and the mailing practices of the publisher. Periodicals publishers can request ZAP approval for their software by following the instructions in the ZAP Technical Guide.

Periodicals publishers can also complete the Zone Analysis Program Order Form located on the Rapid Information Bulletin Board System (RIBBS) Web site at http://ribbs.usps.gov/index.html; under "RIBBS Links," click on ZAP, then ZAP Order Form.

For more information on ZAP, see the ZAP Technical Guide and the article titled "Handbook DM-109 Revision: New Process for Annual Zone Analysis for Periodicals" in Postal Bulletin 22150 (3-17-05, pages 7-9).

— Business Mail Acceptance,
Customer Service, 3-30-06