DMM Revision: New Mailpiece Design Options for Flat-Size Mail
Effective July 15, 2007, we are modifying our mailpiece design requirements to make it easier for mailers to design flat-size pieces. We are removing the requirement for mailers to design folded automation flat-sized pieces so that the address is in view when the final folded edge is at the bottom of the piece and any intermediate bound or folded edge is to the right. Enhancements in the automation environment for flat sortation now make this requirement unnecessary.
We also give mailers the option to design flats, including automation flats, with slightly rounded corners, when the mailpiece has finished corners that do not exceed a radius of 0.125 inch (1/8 inch). This standard in flat mail is comparable to that permitted for card-stock letters. In addition, we are modifying the rectangular requirement for those pieces 1/4 inch thick or less which are eligible for and mailed at parcel rates.
We will incorporate these changes into our July update of the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) subchapters 101, 301, 601, and 707 as noted below. Mailers may make related changes to their mailings as soon as possible.
Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)
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100 Retail Mail Letters, Cards, Flats, and Parcels
101 Physical Standards
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2.0 Physical Standards for Flats
2.1 General Definition
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[Revise item d as follows:]
d. Rectangular with four square corners or with finished corners that do not exceed a radius of 0.125 inch (1/8 inch). See exhibit 2.1d.
Exhibit 2.1d Maximum Corner Radius for Flat-Size Mailpieces
300 Discount Mail Flats
301 Physical Standards
1.0 Physical Standards for Flats
1.1 General Definition of Flat Size Mail
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[Revise item c as follows:]
c. Rectangular with four square corners or with finished corners that do not exceed a radius of 0.125 inch (1/8 inch). See exhibit 1.1c.
Exhibit 1.1c Maximum Corner Radius for Flat-Size Mailpieces
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[Delete 1.3. Renumber current 1.4 through 1.6 as new 1.3 through 1.5.]
1.5 Flat-Size Pieces Not Eligible for Flat-Size Rates
[Revise the introductory text of new 1.5 by changing the references as follows:]
Mailpieces that do not meet the standards in 1.1 through 1.4 are not eligible for flat-size rates and must pay applicable rates as follows:
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3.0 Physical Standards for Automation Flats
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3.2 Additional Criteria for Automation Flats
[Delete 3.2.1. Renumber current 3.2.2 through 3.2.4 as new 3.2.1 through 3.2.3.]
3.2.1 Shape and Size
[Revise the introductory text in new 3.2.1 by updating the first sentence and adding a new second sentence as follows:]
Each flat-size piece must be rectangular, except that flat-sized mailpieces may have finished corners that do not exceed a radius of 0.125 inch (1/8 inch). See 1.1 for an example. The following minimum and maximum dimensions apply to First-Class Mail, Standard Mail, Periodicals (except under 707.26), and Bound Printed Matter pieces:
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600 Basic Standards for All Mailing Services
601 Mailability
1.0 General Standards
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1.2 Minimum Dimensions
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b. All mailpieces (except keys and identification devices) that are 1/4 inch thick or less must be:
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[Revise item b2 by revising the first two sentences and by adding a new last sentence as follows:]
2. Rectangular, with four square corners and parallel opposite sides (see Exhibit 1.2a), unless prepared as Customized MarketMail under 705.1.0, or as follows. Letter-size, card-type mailpieces made of cardstock, flat-size mailpieces, and pieces mailed at parcel rates may have finished corners that do not exceed a radius of 0.125 inch (1/8 inch). See Exhibit 1.2b.
Exhibit 1.2b Maximum Corner Radius
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700 Special Services
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707 Periodicals
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26.0 Alternative Physical Criteria for Flat-Size Periodicals
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[Delete 26.3. Renumber current 26.4 and 26.5 as new 26.3 and 26.4.]
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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 via Postal Explorer® at http://pe.usps.com.
— Mailing Standards,
Pricing and Classification, 7-19-07
