Domestic Mail

DMM REVISION

Change to the Nominal Rate for Periodicals Mail

Effective September 13, 2006, the definition of "nominal rate" for Periodicals eligibility is 30 percent of the basic annual subscription rate.

To qualify for certain Periodicals rates, publications must show that at least half of their circulation is sent to persons who have paid above a nominal rate for a subscription. The "nominal rate" is a token subscription price that is so low that it cannot be considered a material consideration, or a payment amount that is the result of a reduction of more than 50 percent of the basic annual subscription rate, either under a premium offer or another arrangement. We are changing the definition of nominal rate from more than 50 percent to more than 70 percent of the basic annual subscription rate.

Changing this definition required a filing with the Postal Rate Commission. We filed the case on July 6, and the Commission issued a Recommended Decision on August 30 approving the change. The U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors authorized the change and set September 13 as the implementation date.

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

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700 Special Standards

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707 Periodicals

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6.0 Qualification Categories

6.1 General Publication

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6.1.2 Circulation Standards

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[Revise item f to change the definition of "nominal rate" as follows:]

f. At least 50% of a publication's distribution must be to persons who have paid above a nominal rate. Nominal rate subscriptions include those sold at a subscription price so low that the rate cannot be considered a material consideration; or at a reduction to the subscriber (under a premium offer or any other arrangement) of more than 70% of the basic annual subscription rate that would entitle the subscriber to receive one copy of each issue published during the subscription period. The value of a premium is considered its actual cost to the publisher, its recognized retail value, or its represented value, whichever is highest.

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

— Mailing Standards,
Pricing and Classification, 9-14-06

DMM REVISION

USPS and Western Union Terminate Mailgram Contract

Effective August 17, 2006, the Postal Service™ and Western Union agreed to end Mailgram service. We are revising 507.1.4.7, 507.4.1.2, 604.5.0, and 703.6.1.1 of Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) to reflect this change.

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

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500 Additional Services

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507 Mailer Services

1.0 Treatment of Mail

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1.4 Basic Treatment

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[Delete 1.4.7.]

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4.0 Recall of Mail

4.1 Who May Recall Mail

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4.1.2 Federal Agency

[Delete reference to Mailgrams in the first sentence as follows:]

A federal agency may recall any mailpiece sent as official mail by submitting an Express Mail letter identifying the piece to any Post Office.***

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600 Basic Standards for All Mailing Services

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604 Postage Payment Methods

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5.0 Permit Imprint (Indicia)

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5.3 Indicia Design, Placement, and Content

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5.3.10 Indicia Formats

[Delete reference to Mailgrams in 5.3.10 as follows:]

Unless prepared under the option in 5.3.11, permit imprint indicia for ordinary mail and official mail must be prepared in one of the formats exemplified in Exhibit 5.3.10, as applicable to the rate claimed or type of mail. (Not all permissible combinations of content elements are shown.) Specific markings may be required by the standards for the rate claimed.

[Revise the title of Exhibit 5.3.10 as follows:]

Exhibit 5.3.10 Indicia Formats for Official Mail and Other Classes

[Delete reference to and examples of Mailgrams in Exhibit 5.3.10.]

* * * * *

[Delete 5.3.12 and 5.3.13.]

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700 Special Standards

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703 Nonprofit Standard Mail and Other Unique Eligibility

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6.0 Official Mail (Franked)

6.1 Basic Information

6.1.1 Members of Congress

* * * * *

Exhibit 6.1.1 Franked Mail of Members of
Congress

[Delete references to Mailgrams in exhibit.]

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

— Mailing Standards,
Pricing and Classification, 9-14-06

DMM AND POM REVISIONS

Changes in Handling Post Office Box Denial of Service and Termination Appeals

Effective September 1, 2006, we are adopting new procedures for handling appeals from denial of Post Office™ box service or termination of Post Office box service.

Instead of adjudication before the Judicial Officer Department, appeals will now be sent to the Vice President, Consumer Advocate. Any pending actions filed with the Judicial Officer Department before the effective date will be handled under the regulations in effect on the date the appeal was received.

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

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500 Additional Mailing Services

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508 Recipient Services

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4.0 Post Office Box Service

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4.9 Service Refusal or Termination

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4.9.3 Customer Appeal

[Revise text to read as follows:]

The applicant or box customer may file a petition appealing the postmaster's determination to refuse or terminate service within 20 calendar days after notice as specified in the postmaster's determination. The filing of a petition prevents the postmaster's determination from taking effect and transfers the case to the Postal Service Consumer Advocate. The Consumer Advocate's decision constitutes the final agency decision.

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5.0 Caller Service

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5.7 Service Refusal or Termination

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5.7.3 Customer Appeal

[Revise text to read as follows:]

The applicant or caller may file a petition opposing the postmaster's determination to refuse or terminate service within 20 calendar days after notice, as specified in the postmaster's determination. The filing off a petition prevents the postmaster's determination from taking effect and transfers the case to the Postal Service Consumer Advocate. The Consumer Advocate's decision constitutes the final agency decision.

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Postal Operations Manual (POM)

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8 Special Services

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84 Other Delivery Services

841 Post Office Box Service

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841.8 Refusal to Provide Service, Termination of Service, and Surrender of Service

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841.83 Postmaster's Determination

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841.832 Content

[Revise 841.832 to read as follows:]

The Determination must state the reasons for its issuance and contain the following statement:

"You may file a petition opposing this Determination within 20 days (Sundays and holidays included) after the date you receive it. Your petition must be in writing and include a statement of your reasons for opposing the Determination. Your petition, signed by you or your attorney, must be filed in triplicate at the Post Office address given above. This filing may be accomplished by Certified Mail, or by delivering the petition to the above address. Obtain and keep a written receipt to show that your petition was timely filed. Your petition is forwarded to the Vice President, Consumer Advocate, Postal Service Headquarters, for action. If you do not file a timely petition, this Determination becomes the final decision of the Postal Service."

* * * * *

841.84 Petition by Applicant or Box Customer

841.841 Procedure

[Revise 841.841 to read as follows:]

The procedure for applicant or customer petition is as follows:

a. The applicant or box customer may file a petition opposing the postmaster's Determination within 20 days (Sundays and holidays included) after delivery, under the instructions in the Determination.

b. The filing of a petition prevents the postmaster's Determination from taking effect and transfers the case to the Vice President, Consumer Advocate. Thereafter, if a final decision on the merits is rendered by the Vice President, Consumer Advocate, it constitutes the final decision of the Postal Service.

841.842 Effective Date

* * * * *

[Revise item b to read as follows:]

b. After receiving a petition, even if late or nonconforming, the postmaster must immediately forward two copies to the Vice President, Consumer Advocate. He or she also forwards a report to:

VICE PRESIDENT
CONSUMER ADVOCATE
POSTAL SERVICE
475 L'ENFANT PLAZA SW
WASHINGTON DC 20260-2200

The report includes the evidence on which the postmaster's Determination was based and the proof of delivery of the Determination to the customer.

* * * * *

842 Caller Service

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842.4 Refusal to Provide Service, Termination of Service, and Surrender of Service

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842.43 Postmaster's Determination

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842.432 Content

[Revise 842.432 to read as follows:]

The Determination must state the reasons for its issuance and contain the following statement:

"You may file a petition opposing this Determination within 20 days (Sundays and holidays included) after the date you receive it. Your petition must be in writing and include a statement of your reasons for opposing the Determination. Your petition, signed by you or your attorney, must be filed in triplicate at the Post Office address given above. This filing may be accomplished by Certified Mail, or by delivering the petition to the above address. Obtain and keep a written receipt to show that your petition was timely filed. Your petition is forwarded to the Vice President, Consumer Advocate, Postal Service Headquarters, for action. If you do not file a timely petition, this Determination becomes the final decision of the Postal Service."

* * * * *

842.44 Petition by Applicant or Caller

842.441 Procedure

[Revise 842.441 to read as follows:]

The procedure for applicant or caller petition is as follows:

a. The applicant for caller service may file a petition opposing the postmaster's Determination within 20 days (Sundays and holidays included) after delivery, under the instructions in the Determination.

b. The filing of the petition prevents the postmaster's Determination from taking effect and transfers the case to the Postal Service Vice President, Consumer Advocate. Thereafter, if a final determination on the merits is rendered by the Consumer Advocate, it constitutes the final decision of the Postal Service.

842.442 Effective Date

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[Revise item b to read as follows:]

b. After receiving a petition, even if late or nonconforming, the postmaster immediately forwards two copies to the Postal Service Vice President, Consumer Advocate. The postmaster also forwards a report to the Vice President, Consumer Advocate. The report includes the evidence on which the postmaster's Determination was based and the proof of delivery of the Determination to the customer.

* * * * *

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

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

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 Manuals.

— Retail Operations,
Delivery and Retail, 9-14-06

POM REVISION

Notice Left Operations

Effective September 23, 2006, the Postal Operations Manual (POM) is revised to standardize the Notice Left operations for ordinary parcels, accountable mail, and other extra services mailpieces.

Postal Operations Manual (POM)

* * * * *

6 Delivery Services

61 Conditions of Delivery

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617 Other Delivery Procedures

* * * * *

617.3 Additional Attempts to Deliver

617.31 Someone Normally Available to Receive Parcel

[Revise 617.31 to read as follows:]

When someone is normally available to receive parcels, but an ordinary parcel or unnumbered Insured Mail parcel cannot be delivered on the carrier's first attempt, a second delivery attempt is made the next working day and no PS Form 3849 is left on the initial attempt. If the parcel cannot be delivered on the second attempt, leave PS Form 3849 at the address showing that the parcel is being held.

* * * * *

617.33 Parcel Not Called For

[Revise 617.33 to read as follows:]

A second notice is sent if the parcel is not called for after 5 days. If there is no response within 15 days after the first notice and no retention period is specified by the sender, the parcel is treated as undeliverable according to POM 68, Undeliverable Mail. When a retention period is specified, it is observed up to 30 days after the first notice. An additional attempt to deliver is made only if requested by the addressee.

617.34 Perishable Parcel

[Revise 617.34 to read as follows:]

If a parcel is endorsed "Postmaster: Perishable. If not delivered within 5 days, call 1-800-XXX-XXXX." A Postal Service employee must call the telephone number printed by the mailer in the endorsement. The Postal Service employee gives the mailer the customer's name, address, and, if necessary, keyline information. A second attempt to deliver is made only if requested by the addressee. A second notice is sent if the parcel is not called for after 5 days. If the parcel remains unclaimed 10 days after the first delivery attempt or the retention period specified by the mailer, the parcel is handled according to POM 68, Undeliverable Mail. Mailers of perishable items who want to use this endorsement must place the endorsement along the left or bottom edge of the address label. The lettering of the endorsement must be in boldface type and as large as, or larger than, the lettering of the addressee's name and address but never smaller than 8-point type.

* * * * *

619 Mail Claim Check System

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619.2 Use

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619.25 Storage of Mail Awaiting Customer Pickup

619.251 Procedure

[Revise 619.251 to read as follows:]

At the delivery unit, either write or stamp near the customer's address: the date of the initial attempt, the date of second notice, and the date of return; endorse with initials of the Notice Left employee; and place in storage bins or on shelves, according to 619.251a through 619.251c. If more than one item has the same number used in a numerical storage system, alphabetize the items within the separation. Use one of the following filing systems:

a. Alphabetical by last name or alphabetical by last name and date of attempt.

b. Last number of the delivery address.

c. Last two numbers of the delivery address.

d. By Post Office box number.

619.252 Parcels and Accountable Mail

[Revise 619.252 to read as follows:]

Store mail in appropriate storage bins or shelves as follows in the designated areas by category (areas may be combined):

a. Certified Mail: in the designated area with separations for letters and flats.

b. COD: in the designated area.

c. Customs: in the designated area.

d. Express Mail: in the designated area.

e. Hold For Pickup: in the designated area.

f. Postage Due: in the designated area with separations for letters, flats, and parcels, if necessary.

g. Registered Mail: under control of the responsible employee at all times in a secure area, as per DM 901-3-3.3.2.

h. Post Office Box: in the designated area.

i. Parcels: in the designated area. All types of parcels not listed above intermingled in a designated Parcel Post area.

* * * * *

8 Special Services

81 Special Mail Services

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812 Registered Mail

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812.4 Delivery

* * * * *

812.42 Notice of Arrival

[Revise 812.42 to read as follows:]

The carrier must leave a notice of arrival in the form of a PS Form 3849 if the carrier cannot deliver the Registered Mail article for any reason. The article is brought back to the Post Office and held for the addressee as per DM 901. If the article is not called for within 5 calendar days, a second notice is issued. If the article is not called for or redelivery of the article is not requested, the article must be returned after 15 calendar days, unless the sender specifies fewer number of days on the mailpiece. In all instances, electronic record management sites must scan/enter the mailpiece barcode and enter the appropriate event code in the handheld scanner.

* * * * *

84 Other Delivery Services

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843 General Delivery

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843.2 Retention

[Revise 843.2 to read as follows:]

Hold general delivery mail for no more than 30 days, unless otherwise requested. Return accountable mail as instructed under 683.25.

* * * * *

We will incorporate this revision into the next printed edition of the POM and also into the next online update, 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 Manuals.

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

— Customer Service Support,
Delivery and Retail, 9-14-06

PUBLICATION 431 REVISION

Changes to Post Office Box Fee Groups

Effective September 14, 2006, Publication 431, Post Office Box Fee Groups, is revised with the following changes:

Publication 431, Post Office Box Fee Groups

* * * * *

[Revise the fee group for the following ZIP Code™ to read as follows:]

[Remove the entry for the following ZIP Code:]

* * * * *

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, 9-14-06