Domestic Mail

DMM REVISION

Labeling List Changes

Effective August 3, 2006, we are revising Labeling Lists L001, L002, L004, L005, L007, L011, L201, L606, and L801 of the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) to reflect changes in mail processing operations. Mailers are encouraged to label according to these revised lists immediately, but must comply with these changes no later than October 15, 2006.

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

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Index and Appendices

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Labeling Lists

L000 General Use

L001 5-Digit Scheme - Periodicals, Standard Mail, and Package Services Flats and Irregular Parcels

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L002 3-Digit ZIP Code Prefix Matrix

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L004 3-Digit ZIP Code Prefix Groups - ADC Sortation

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L005 3-Digit ZIP Code Prefix Groups - SCF Sortation

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L007 5-Digit Scheme - Periodicals, Standard Mail, and BPM Flats in Bundles

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L011 Non-BMC/ASF Entry - Periodicals and Standard Mail Letters

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L200 Periodicals

L201 Periodicals Origin Split

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L600 Standard Mail and Package Services

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L606 5-Digit Scheme - Standard Mail and Package Services Parcels

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L800 Automation Rate Mailings

L801 AADCs - Letter-Size Mailings

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We will incorporate these revisions into the monthly update of the online DMM available via Postal Explorer at http://pe.usps.com.

— Logistics,
Network Operations Management, 8-3-06

DMM REVISION

Permit Reply Mail

We offer mailers three choices for providing a reply envelope to customers: Courtesy Reply MailTM, which requires the customers to pay for their own postage; Business Reply Mail, paid by the mailer; and Meter Reply Mail, which allows mailers to affix postage when they are confident the recipient will return the reply envelope back through the U.S. mail.

Effective August 3, 2006, we are revising section 507.9.0 of Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) to add a fourth option, Permit Reply Mail (PRM). PRM allows mailers to prepay reply postage using a permit imprint account at the time of mailing. This option makes it easier for mailers who have permit imprint accounts to pay in advance for reply mailpieces.

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

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500 Additional Mailing Services

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507 Mailer Services

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[Renumber Merchandise Return Service as 10.0; Bulk Parcel Return Service as 11.0; and Parcel Return Service as 12.0. Insert new 9.0 for Permit Reply Mail.]

9.0 Permit Reply Mail

9.1 General Information

9.1.1 Description

Permit Reply Mail (PRM) enables a permit imprint permit holder to receive First-Class Mail and Priority Mail back from customers by prepaying postage for reply pieces at the time of mailing. Mailers must distribute PRM pieces as part of a discount First-Class Mail mailing and may not distribute them through any other means.

9.1.2 Services

No extra services (certified, insured, registered, and so forth) are permitted with PRM.

9.1.3 Address

The delivery address on a PRM mailpiece may not be altered to redirect it to any address other than the one preprinted on the piece.

9.1.4 Permit Holder Intentions

PRM may not be used for any purpose other than the purpose intended by the permit holder, even when postage is affixed.

9.2 Authorization and Revocation

9.2.1 Authorization

PRM customers must apply for authorization through the district manager, Business Mail Entry at the office where the permit imprint account is held.

9.2.2 Samples

Permit holders must submit preproduction samples of PRM pieces to the Postal Service for approval prior to distribution.

9.2.3 Error Notification

If the Postal Service discovers a PRM format error, the permit holder or authorized agent will receive a written notification of the error. The permit holder must correct the error and ensure that all future PRM pieces meet appropriate specifications. The Postal Service may revoke a PRM authorization if a mailer repeatedly distributes PRM with format errors (see 9.2.4).

9.2.4 Revocation of Authorization

The Postal Service may revoke a PRM authorization because of format errors or misuse. If the authorization is revoked due to format errors, the format errors must be corrected before reauthorization.

9.3 Format Elements

9.3.1 General

All pieces of PRM must include the format elements shown in Exhibit 9.3.1.

Exhibit 9.3.1 Permit Reply Mail Format Elements

9.3.2 Printing and Print Reflectance

All legible forms of printing are permitted. Mailers may not use handwriting, typewriting, or handstamping to prepare PRM.

9.3.3 "No Postage Necessary" Imprint

The imprint, "NO POSTAGE NECESSARY IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES," must be printed in the upper right corner of the address side of the piece. The imprint must not extend more than 1-3/4 inches from the right edge of the piece.

9.3.4 Permit Reply Mail Legend

The legend, "PERMIT REPLY MAIL," must appear on all pieces. The legend must appear above the address in capital letters at least 3/16 inch high. At the permit holder's discretion, the permit reply mail legend may be surrounded by a rule or border.

9.3.5 Permit Number and Postage Endorsement

Directly below the permit reply mail legend, the words, "FIRST-CLASS MAIL PERMIT NO. [NO., CITY, STATE]" (representing the permit holder's number and the Post Office that issued the permit) must appear in capital letters. The permit holder may replace the permit number and the Post Office with a company permit as described in 9.5. Directly below that, the endorsement, "POSTAGE HAS BEEN PREPAID BY ADDRESSEE," must appear in capital letters. At the permit holder's discretion, the permit number and postage endorsement may be surrounded by a rule or border.

9.3.6 Delivery Address

The complete address (including the permit holder's name, delivery address, city, state, ZIP+4 code, and corresponding delivery point barcode) must be printed directly on the piece.

9.3.7 Facing Identification Mark

A facing identification mark (FIM) C must be printed on all letter-size PRM. The FIM C must meet the physical standards in 708.9.0.

9.3.8 Company Logo

A company logo is permitted as follows:

a. On letter-size PRM, if the logo is placed no lower than 5/8 inch from the bottom edge of the piece.

b. On any piece, if the logo does not interfere with any required format element.

9.4 Permit Imprint Account

Mailers may distribute PRM as part of the contents of an outgoing mailing only by using a valid permit imprint account. The standards for using permit imprints are located in 604.5.0.

9.5 Company Permit Reply Mail Imprint

A company permit reply mail imprint is one in which the exact name of the company holding the permit is shown in the permit reply mail indicia in place of the city, state, and permit number.

9.5.1 Use

A customer may use a company permit reply mail imprint if, for 1 year from the date of mailing, the permit holder or its agent keeps records for each mailing paid with a company permit reply mail imprint and makes them available for USPS review on request. These records include the weight of a single piece, the total number of pieces mailed, the total postage and the date(s) and Post Office(s) of mailing. A complete sample mailpiece must be included for each mailing.

9.5.2 Format

To create a company permit reply mail imprint, replace the words "PERMIT No. [NO., CITY, STATE]" (representing the permit holder's number and the Post Office that issued the permit), with "PERMIT PAID BY [COMPANY NAME]" (representing the name of the company as stated in the delivery address of the mailpiece) in capital letters.

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We will incorporate these revisions into the next printed version of the DMM and into the monthly update of the online DMM available on Postal Explorer at http://pe.usps.com.

— Mailing Standards,
Pricing and Classification, 8-3-06

DMM REVISION

New Interim Temporary Mail Forwarding Policy

Effective August 3, 2006, we are revising 507.2.1.3 of the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) to change the mail forwarding standards for temporary change-of-address orders. We are changing the minimum duration of a temporary change- of-address order from 1 day to 2 weeks. Also, we are changing the maximum duration for an initial temporary order from 12 months to 6 months. Customers who wish to have their mail forwarded for a longer period can submit an additional order to extend the forwarding period up to the maximum allowable 12-month period.

When a customer has already received temporary forwarding service for a continuous 12-month period for any same old and new address combination, the Postal ServiceTM will not accept additional temporary change-of- address orders from that customer for those same old and new address combinations.

The Postal Service recommends that customers who will be temporarily away from their residence for less than 2 weeks submit a request to hold their mail. Hold requests can be submitted in person or by mail to their Post OfficeTM, electronically through www.usps.com, or by telephone through 800-ASK-USPS. Customers may ask that held mail be delivered upon their return or request to pick up the mail at their Post Office.

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

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500 Additional Mailing Services

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507 Mailer Services

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2.0 Forwarding

2.1 Change-of-Address Order

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2.1.3 Temporary Forwarding

[Revise 2.1.3 to clarify minimum and maximum periods of temporary change-of-address orders as follows:]

A customer temporarily moving away may have mail forwarded for a specific time, not to exceed 12 months total duration. The Postal Service provides temporary forwarding services in periods from 2 weeks to 6 months in duration, based upon customer requests. Customers may request temporary forwarding in excess of 6 months up to a maximum of 12 months by submitting a second temporary change-of-address order that will begin on the first day of the second 6-month period and expire on the desired date up to and including the last day of the second 6-month period. The customer must show beginning and ending dates in the change-of-address order.

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We will incorporate these revisions into the next printed version of the DMM and into the monthly update of the online DMM available on Postal Explorer at http://pe.usps.com.

— Mailing Standards,
Pricing and Classification, 8-3-06

REMINDER

Political Campaign Mail

One of the most important public policy functions of the Postal ServiceTM is serving as a trusted partner in our nation's electoral process. The general election on November 7, 2006, will determine the makeup of the U.S. Congress, state executive and legislative branches, and local governments.

This is a reminder of the standards relative to political campaign mailings. These standards are contained in the Postal Operations Manual (POM), Part 492, Political Campaign Mail, and in the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM), 703.1, Nonprofit Standard Mail.

A detailed article for political campaign mailers appeared in the March/April 2006 Mailers Companion and can be viewed at www.usps.com/mailerscompanion; click March/April 2006. For political campaign mail processing procedures, see "POM Revision, Mail Processing Procedures" on page 15.

In addition, to assist in preparing for political campaign mailings, we have included a chart (see next page) showing the remaining 2006 Congressional primary dates in chronological order and, where applicable, the run-off dates.

2006 U.S. Congressional Primary Dates
(General Election November 7, 2006)

— Government Relations,
Government Relations and Public Policy, 8-3-06

POM REVISION

Political Campaign Mail Processing Procedures

Effective August 3, 2006, we are revising Postal Operations Manual (POM) 492.72 to revise references to PS Forms 3602; Publication 417, Nonprofit Standard Mail Eligibility; and the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM).

We are also reprinting the rest of 492, Political Campaign Mail, as a reminder of the requirements for handling political campaign mail.

Postal Operations Manual (POM)

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4 Mail Processing Procedures

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49 Congressional and Political Campaign Mail

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492 Political Campaign Mail

492.1 Introduction

492.11 General

The American electorate votes on numerous political offices and issues. Citizens cast ballots every 4 years for President, every 2 years for one-third of the U.S. senators and all members of the House of Representatives, and at varying frequencies for governorships and other state, county, and local offices and referenda measures. During the period preceding local, state, and national primaries, special elections, and general elections, the Postal Service accepts and delivers many political campaign mailings, frequently in large quantities. These mailings are made up by individual candidates and their campaign organizations, as well as by local, state, and national committees of political parties.

492.12 Postal Service Responsibility

The Postal Service is responsible for providing information to assist in the knowledgeable preparation and deposit of political campaign mailings, as well as for the proper acceptance, processing, delivery, and recording of these mailings.

492.13 Nonprofit Standard Mail Rates

Section 3626(e) of Title 39, U.S. Code, as enacted by Public Law 95-593, permits certain Standard Mail matter to be mailed by a "qualified political committee" at the Nonprofit Standard Mail rates prescribed for qualified nonprofit organizations (see DMM 703.1.0). Also see 492.23 for a definition of "qualified political committee" and 492.73 for the standards on what mail may be sent at the Nonprofit Standard Mail rates by qualified political committees.

492.2 Definitions

492.21 Political Campaign Mailings

Any material accepted for mailing at First-Class Mail or Standard Mail postage rates that is mailed for political campaign purposes by a registered political candidate, campaign committee, or committee of a political party is classified as a political campaign mailing. This type of mailing normally uses the address of a candidate's campaign committee or the committee of a political party as the return address. Do not confuse political campaign mailings with official mailings by members of Congress under congressional franking privileges. See 491 for a discussion of congressional mail.

492.22 Registered Political Candidate or Party

An individual or organization recognized as such by the appropriate governmental election control authority is considered to be a registered political candidate or party.

492.23 Qualified Political Committee

Section 3626(e)(2) of Title 39, U.S.C., defines a qualified political committee for the purpose of eligibility for Nonprofit Standard Mail rates as follows:

a. The term qualified political committee means:

(1) A national committee of a political party.

(2) A state committee of a political party.

(3) The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

(4) The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

(5) The National Republican Congressional Committee.

(6) The National Republican Senatorial Committee.

b. The term national committee means the organization that, by virtue of the bylaws of a political party, is responsible for the day-to-day operation of that political party at the national level.

c. The term state committee means the organization that, by virtue of the bylaws of a political party, is responsible for the day-to-day operation of that political party at the state level.

492.3 Premailing Assistance

492.31 General

Experience has shown that there will be no cause for criticism if all mailers of political campaign material are fully informed of postal requirements for prompt delivery and are assured of proper and equal handling of their mailings.

492.32 Responsibilities

Managers, Marketing, Customer Service districts, are responsible for ensuring proper premailing assistance to all committees of political parties, candidates for political office, and/or the candidates' campaign committees within their jurisdictions. Individuals designated by managers, Marketing, as directly responsible for contacting the committees of political parties, political candidates, and campaign organizations must follow the requirements in 492.36.

492.33 Identification of Candidates

Managers, Marketing, Customer Service districts, or their designees, must identify all candidates for election to political office who will be campaigning within their district's jurisdiction, as follows:

a. Presidential Candidates. Contact state campaign headquarters. Determine locations of mailings and notify appropriate Postal Service personnel for necessary follow-up.

b. Congressional Candidates. Identify all candidates for election to the Senate and House of Representatives and their principal campaign offices and notify appropriate Postal Service personnel for necessary follow-up.

c. State Candidates. In statewide elections, identify gubernatorial and other candidates and their principal campaign offices and notify appropriate Postal Service personnel for necessary follow-up.

d. Local Candidates. Coordinate efforts with postmasters to identify all candidates and/or campaign organizations in those areas holding local elections for county, city, township, borough, parish, and other local offices, and ensure necessary followup.

492.34 Political Campaign Information Sources

State and local boards of election and offices of secretaries of state and county clerks generally can provide information on the names and headquarters of committees of political parties; candidates for federal, state, and local offices; and their campaign organizations.

492.35 Equal Assistance

Equal assistance must be provided to all committees of political parties, candidates, and candidates' campaign committees, including those that do not represent major parties.

492.36 Premailing Contact Requirements

Make contact with the committees of political parties, candidates, and the candidates' campaign organizations at the earliest opportunity to provide information on mail preparation requirements, mail handling procedures, and other matters discussed in 492.37. On-site assistance can be helpful, particularly with campaign volunteers, to identify problems in mail preparation and sack or tray labeling before deposit of the mailings. Emphasize the need to deposit the mailings at the earliest possible date before election day, particularly to candidates or organizations planning to avail themselves of the destination bulk mail center drop shipment rates. Keep records of all contacts, including a general summary statement covering the information provided to the candidates and campaign organizations.

492.37 Mail Preparation and Handling Information

At a minimum, provide committees of political parties, candidates, and the candidates' campaign organizations with information on the following:

a. Rates and fees, including automation and destination entry drop shipment rates.

b. Mailing permits and authorizations. See applicable sections of the DMM for instructions on obtaining permits and authorizations for mailing at various rates. National and state political committees may be given instructions on filing for Nonprofit Standard Mail rates as a qualified political committee, as found in DMM 703.1.0 and Publication 417, Nonprofit Standard Mail Eligibility, section 3-1. Instructions on obtaining authorization to mail at the Nonprofit Standard Mail rates at additional offices are also found in DMM 703.1.0 and Publication 417 section 3-2.

c. Restrictions on what may be mailed at the Nonprofit Standard Mail rates for state and national political committees (see 492.73). See also Publication 417 section 5-4, and chapter 6.

d. Preparation, makeup, and handling of mailings, including an explanation of ancillary service endorsements and address information products and services.

e. Availability and use of mailing supplies and equipment.

Note: PS Tag 57, Political Campaign Mailing, identifies campaign mailings during processing and distribution. PS Tag 57 is available from the Material Distribution Center and is reusable. If mail is trayed and strapped, mailers should affix PS Tag 57 to the strap on the end of the tray near the tray label with a wire twist tie. If local postal instructions permit trays to be tendered without strapping, then PS Tag 57 should be affixed to the tray with a rubber band double looped through the handhold of the tray on the end near the tray label. Care should be taken to remove the tags from the trays after the campaign mail has been processed.

f. Business reply mail.

g. Disposition of undeliverable pieces.

h. Time frames for depositing mailings.

492.4 Processing and Delivery

492.41 General

All managers involved in processing and delivering political campaign mailings must ensure that each mailing is handled promptly and with equal care and attention.

492.42 Area Political Campaign Mail Coordinators

Area Vice Presidents must appoint an Area Political Campaign Mail Coordinator and provide the name, address, and phone number of the individual assigned that is responsible to each district manager under their jurisdiction and to the Vice President, Delivery and Retail, at Headquarters.

492.43 Late Deposit

Inform mailers attempting to deposit political campaign mailings that may be too late for delivery by the election date under Postal Service delivery objectives of the potential for late delivery. Document and maintain this advice. See 492.5.

492.44 Reports of Delays

Give immediate attention to any reported delay in processing or delivering political campaign mailings and fully document inquiries made and subsequent action taken (see 492.53).

492.45 Handling of Undeliverable As Addressed Mail

If a significant amount of a campaign mailing is received that is undeliverable as addressed, postmasters must inform the applicable campaign office before any action to dispose of such mail. Postmasters should also coordinate any such situations with their Area Political Campaign Mail Coordinator.

492.5 Recordkeeping

492.51 General

Detailed records provide the basis for a documented and factual explanation of any complaints alleging improper handling of political campaign mailings. Maintain premailing assistance and processing and delivery records for a period of 6 months.

492.52 Premailing Assistance Records

Individuals designated to provide premailing assistance to committees of political parties, candidates, and the candidates' campaign organizations must keep records of all contacts, including a summary statement concerning the information provided to such mailers.

492.53 Processing and Delivery Records

Managers, Business Mail Entry, and postmasters must keep documented records of all political campaign mailings that are deposited or received at their offices, with particular attention to those deposited or received too late for timely delivery.

At a minimum, these documented records must include the following:

a. The name of the mailer.

b. A sample, photocopy, or description of the mailing.

c. The date and time the mailing was received for dispatch or delivery.

d. The election day deadline and, if applicable, the date of requested delivery.

e. If applicable, the approximate number of pieces not delivered before the election day deadline and/or the date of requested delivery and the reasons why delivery was not timely.

f. The approximate volume of any Standard Mail consigned to waste upon instruction by the mailer.

492.6 Answering Requests for Information

492.61 General

Answer requests for information concerning political campaign mailings as provided in regulations implementing the Freedom of Information Act (see Handbook AS-353, Guide to Privacy and the Freedom of Information Act). Do not compile information not regularly compiled for Postal Service use to respond to requests.

492.62 Field Managing Counsel Assistance

If uncertain regarding the disclosure of information concerning political campaign mailings, consult the Field Managing Counsel.

492.63 Questionable Requests

Promptly report to the Postal Inspection Service any questionable attempts to obtain information concerning political campaign mailings not properly subject to disclosure.

492.7 Revenue Protection

492.71 Nonprofit Standard Mail Rates

Qualified political committees may mail qualifying matter at the Nonprofit Standard Mail rates of postage. See 492.23 for definitions of qualified political committees. See also DMM 703.1.0 and Publication 417 for general information on how to apply for authorization to mail at these rates and the matter that is eligible for them.

492.72 Mailings Ineligible for Nonprofit Standard Mail Rates

Individual candidates and their campaign committees do not qualify to mail at the Nonprofit Standard Mail rates. Also, qualified political committees may mail only their own matter at these rates. Qualified political committees may not make cooperative mailings at the nonprofit rates involving matter on behalf of, or produced for, individual candidates or political organizations that do not qualify for Nonprofit Standard Mail rates. Such cooperative mailings must be paid at the applicable Regular or Enhanced Carrier Route Standard Mail rates. See PS Form 3602-EZ, PS Form 3602-N, PS Form 3602-NZ, PS Form 3602-R, and PS Form 3602-C, for the certifications required of Nonprofit Standard Mail mailers. Also see Publication 417 sections 5-3 and 5-4.

492.73 Application of the Cooperative Mail Rules

492.731 General

Qualified political committees are subject to the cooperative mailing requirements. However, unlike cases involving cooperative mailings between an authorized nonprofit organization and a commercial organization, there is often an ongoing relationship between the qualified political committee and the committee's candidate. A political candidate may be connected to the authorized political committee mailer by being a member of and/or financial contributor to the political party represented by the committee. The committee is, of course, interested in promoting, encouraging, and supporting the candidate's election. Postal laws and regulations do not prohibit the candidate from contributing to the committee or the committee from supporting the candidate. The concern under postal laws and regulations is whether the political candidate's financial contribution to the authorized political committee is in return for the mailing or mailings that support the candidate.

Example - Proper use of contributed funds

Politician A is a member of the qualified political committee. The qualified political committee plans to include in a mailpiece information supporting politician A's candidacy for office and has asked the candidate for a biographical sketch. The candidate provides the information and makes a contribution to the qualified political committee. The qualified political committee will retain authority to accept or reject information provided by the candidate, and the contribution by the candidate is not a contribution to pay for the mailing. This is not considered to be a cooperative mailing since the qualified political committee retained discretion over the decision to mail and the contents of the mailing.

492.732 Maintaining Committee Control

The following rules must be followed to ensure that the authorized political committee maintains control:

a. Mailings. An authorized political committee may mail election-related materials, including but not limited to candidate endorsements and sample ballots, at the Nonprofit Standard Mail rates if the materials are exclusively those of the authorized political committee. An authorized political committee may make political mailings in support of its candidates, provided that no monies contributed by the candidate to the qualified committee shall be specifically earmarked for use in making the political mailing or in return for the political mailing.

Example - Committee discretion retained

Politician B, a candidate for a statewide political office, mails a check to authorized political committee C, the state committee for his party. Politician B encloses a note with the check that says: "This check is for my pro rata share of a sample ballot." Committee C has mailed a sample ballot to state residents for the past five elections. However, committee C makes the decision on whether to send sample ballots on an election-by-election basis. Committee C has not had any discussions with politician B on this subject, nor has it reached an understanding with politician B that sample ballots will be produced and mailed. Committee C deposits politician B's check into its general fund to be used for committee expenses. Committee C will not return the check even if it decides not to mail sample ballots. Committee C later decides to mail sample ballots for the election in which politician B is a candidate. Notwithstanding politician B's contribution, this is not considered to be a cooperative mailing because committee C retained discretion whether or not to mail the sample ballots.

b. Contributions. A candidate may make or solicit contributions to a qualified political committee, provided that the committee retains absolute discretion over how the funds are spent. If the candidate or other nonqualified entity pays the preparation, printing, or postage costs for the mailing in return for the qualified political committee's agreement to make the mailing, that mail matter is not eligible for the Nonprofit Standard Mail rates.

c. Mailing Support. A political candidate may provide suggested copy, pictures, biographical information, or similar assistance requested by a qualified political committee that is preparing a mailing in support of the candidate. The qualified political committee may also ask a candidate to review a proposed mailpiece for accuracy. However, the qualified political committee must have final authority over the decision to mail the political matter and the contents of that matter.

Example - Improper candidate funding

Authorized political committee D announces the creation of a "Candidate's Coordinated Mailing Fund." Contributions to the fund will be used exclusively for mailings supporting candidates. Candidates E, F, G, and H contribute to the fund, and committee D makes a multi-candidate endorsement for candidates E, F, G, H, and I. This would be considered a cooperative mailing. It would not be a cooperative mailing if (a) the fund created is not announced as one that will be used exclusively for mailings, and (b) committee D retained absolute discretion about whether to make the mailings at all.

492.733 Endorsements on Mail

Mailings by qualified political committees often bear endorsements such as "Paid for by [committee] and authorized by [candidate]." These endorsements are often required by federal or state law. The presence of these endorsements alone does not disqualify the mailing from being sent at the Nonprofit Standard Mail rates. The presence of factors discussed in the preceding sections of this chapter is required to find the mailing ineligible for the special rates.

492.74 Identification

The name and return address of the qualifying organization must appear either on the outside of the mailpiece or in a prominent location on the material being mailed at the Nonprofit Standard Mail rates.

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We will incorporate these revisions in the next printed version of the POM and also into the online update 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.

• Then click on Manuals.

(The direct URL for the Postal Service PolicyNet Web site is http://blue.usps.gov/cpim.)

— Government Relations,
Government Relations and Public Policy, 8-3-06

PUBLICATION 431 REVISION

Changes to Post Office Box Fee Groups

Effective August 3, 2006, Publication 431, Post Office Box Fee Groups, is revised with the changes noted below.

We will incorporate these revisions into the online version of Publication 431, which 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 PUBs.

(The direct URL for the Postal Service PolicyNet Web site is http://blue.usps.gov/cpim.)

Publication 431, Post Office Box Fee Groups

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[Remove the entries for the following ZIP Codes:]

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— Value Added and Special Services,
Product Development, 8-3-06

MARKETING MATTERS — FACTS AT A GLANCE

Post Office Box Service — Safety and Security for Your Mail

For security, convenience, and peace of mind concerning your mail, nothing beats a box at your local Post OfficeTM. Post Office box service offers the following benefits:

• Security. Your mail is protected, under lock and key as well as by federal statute.

• Accessibility. With a Post Office box, your mail is usually available before 10:00 A.M. You can pick up your mail at your convenience - early, late, any time the Post Office lobby is open. Since most Post Offices are located near other businesses, you may want to get a jump on the day by receiving your mail at a Post Office box near where you work.

• Anonymity. Post Office box service lets you receive important mail that is for your eyes only, keeping your personal or business mail private. Only you have the key.

• Stability. If you move often or travel frequently and need to establish one place where you receive your mail, then a Post Office box is the answer. Your mail is there when you return.7

• Flexibility. Expand your company without opening new offices. Apply for Post Office box service in cities where you do business, and pick up your mail as you travel. You don't have to live in a community to get a Post Office box there.

• Affordability. Post Office boxes come in five different sizes, from 3 inches 5-1/2 inches to 22-1/2 inches 12 inches. Check with your local Post Office to see what sizes are available. You'll find the price to be reasonable, too. Based on a customer's eligibility for carrier delivery service, a no-fee Post Office box may be available. Otherwise, the semiannual fees range from $9 to $348, depending on the box size and the Post Office.

Post Office box delivery is a secure and private means of getting your mail. For more information, visit any Post Office.

— Marketing Strategy and Support,
Marketing, 8-3-06