Domestic Mail

PUBLICATION 431 REVISION

Changes to Post Office Box Fee Groups

Effective August 31, 2006, Publication 431, Post Office Box Fee Groups, is revised with the changes noted below.

Publication 431, Post Office Box Fee Groups

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[Add the following entry:]

[Revise the fee groups for the following ZIP Codes™ to read as follows:]

[Remove the entries for the following ZIP Codes:]

* * * * *

We will incorporate these revisions into the online version of Publication 431, which 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 under "Policies," click on PolicyNet.

• Click on PUBs.

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

— Value Added and Special Services,
Product Development, 8-31-06

REVISED FORMS

Updated "Statement of Ownership" Forms for Periodicals Mailers

All publishers who are authorized to mail at Periodicals rates must file PS Form 3526, Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation, on or before October 1 of each year, at their original entry Post Office™. We updated PS Form 3526 and added a new PS Form 3526-R, Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation (Requester Publications Only). Both the revised PS Form 3526 and the new PS Form 3526-R are designed to make the annual filing process easier for mailers and to clarify the circulation and other information that is required on the form.

Publishers may use either the new PS Forms 3526 and 3526-R, dated September 2006, or the last edition of PS Form 3526, dated October 1999, to meet the October 1, 2006, filing requirement. Next year, only the September 2006 editions may be used to meet the October 1 filing deadline.

Note that the new forms cannot be input into PostalOne! Therefore, we remind Post Offices to maintain paper files for all PS Forms 3526 and 3526-R, and to track the completion of these forms outside of PostalOne!

The original entry Post Office must ensure that it receives a PS Form 3526 or 3526-R for each publication authorized, and must also review all of the information on the form, including the following:

• Review information regarding the publication, on page 1.

• Check the publication's distribution, on page 2.

• Determine whether to schedule an eligibility review.

In addition, please remind publishers of general and requester publications to publish their PS Form 3526 according to the standards in section 707.8.3 of Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM). The DMM is available on Postal Explorer at http://pe.usps.com.

You can order the updated PS Form 3526 and the new PS Form 3526-R from the Material Distribution Center via touch-tone order entry (TTOE). Call 800-332-0317 and choose option 2.

To register to use TTOE, call 800-332-0317 and choose option 1, extension 2925. Then follow the prompts to leave a message. Wait 48 hours after registering to place your first order. The following publications are in stock and ready to order now using the following information:

Customers and employees can also find the forms on the Postal Explorer Web site at http://pe.usps.com. Click on Business Forms in the left frame. Postal Explorer also provides Periodicals rate calculators, publications, and other tools for mailers.

— Mailing Standards,
Pricing and Classification, 8-31-06

Computer Battery Recall

Beginning August 25, 2006, consumers may mail recalled laptop computer batteries using Parcel Return Service (PRS).

Consumers must package these batteries in the containers provided by the manufacturer (or its agent) and send them only by surface transportation using Parcel Return Service. The label on each box is marked "Consumer Commodity ORM-D - Surface Mail Only" on the address side.

The batteries can be mailed only within the contiguous 48 states, where surface transportation is assured. Postage is paid by the PRS agent.

Postal Service™ personnel may accept these batteries for mailing when properly prepared as described above. Please direct any questions to the office of Mailing Standards at 202-268-7261. Consumers can find more information at www.dellbatteryprogram.com and www.apple.com/support/batteryexchange.

— Mailing Standards,
Pricing and Classification, 8-31-06

MARKETING MATTERS — FACTS AT A GLANCE

Pick the Right Service for Package Shipping

Shipping packages is easier than ever, thanks to the options offered by the Postal Service™. To help our customers pick the right mailing service and make sure their packages get where they need to go, here are some of the features of our package service options.

• Express Mail®: 1-2 days

Express Mail service comes with guaranteed next- day delivery by noon to most locations, or your money back. Where delivery service is available, the Postal Service delivers Express Mail items every day of the year! There's no extra charge, either, for Saturday, Sunday, or holiday delivery. Express Mail shipping supplies are available at Post Office™ facilities, or they can be ordered via the Internet at no additional charge. Express Mail items are automatically insured for up to $100 at no additional charge.

• Priority Mail®: 1-3 days on average

Priority Mail service is one of the best values in the shipping business. Rates begin at $4.05 for items weighing up to 1 pound, or that fit properly in our special Flat-Rate Envelope, regardless of their weight. Priority Mail also features a Flat-Rate Box in two convenient sizes for $8.10. For other Priority Mail packages weighing up to 70 pounds, rates are based on weight and distance to be traveled. Priority Mail shipping supplies are available at no extra charge at Post Office facilities and via the Internet at www.usps.com. Customers can even print a Priority Mail shipping label online and get Delivery Confirmation™ service at no extra charge! Insurance up to $5,000 is also available for Priority Mail packages.

• First-Class Mail®: 1-3 days

For packages weighing 13 ounces or less, First- Class Mail service offers great value. The same service people rely on to pay bills and send birthday cards and letters can get their small packages delivered on time and on budget. First-Class Mail rates vary based solely on weight, so cross-country delivery costs no more than service across town. With First-Class Mail service, a customer can insure their package, certify that it gets delivered, confirm the recipient or the delivery, and even send it Registered Mail™ service for up to $25,000.

• Parcel Post®: 2-9 days

Parcel Post service offers an economical option that can serve customer needs and save money. It's especially cost effective for heavier items (up to 70 pounds). Rates depend on the weight and distance the parcel will travel. For a little more money, a Parcel Post package can be insured up to $5,000; and the sender can find out when the package was delivered and who received it, and even get a receipt showing that it was delivered.

Whatever your package mailing needs may be, the Postal Service is here to deliver for you! For more information, visit your local Post Office or go online to www.usps.com.

— Marketing Strategy and Support,
Marketing, 8-31-06