Effective September 13, 2007, we are revising sections 705.9.2, 707.20.4, 707.22.7, and 707.25.5 of Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) to add a new preparation option for Periodicals mail. The new option allows mailers to prepare all machinable-rate (barcoded and nonbarcoded) Periodicals flat-size pieces in flats trays, rather than in sacks. Receiving faced, upright flats is compatible with our mail processing operations, and customers mailing community newspapers have asked us to extend this option to all presort levels to make mail preparation easier and in some cases improve service.
Currently, the optional tray preparation is available only for unbundled pieces sorted to the area distribution center (ADC), origin mixed ADC, or mixed ADC presort levels. Under the expanded option, mailers may prepare trays for all presort levels. Mailers must either bundle or group all pieces for each 5-digit scheme, 5-digit, 3-digit, sectional center facility (SCF), and ADC destination. Bundling is not permitted unless it achieves a finer presort than the presort destination of the tray. Pieces prepared in bundles are subject to the bundle charges, and piece rates are based on the presort level of the bundle. Pieces grouped (unbundled) in trays are not subject to the bundle charges, and piece rates are based on the presort level of the tray.
Mailers currently using the optional tray preparation for pieces sorted to the ADC, origin mixed ADC, and mixed ADC presort levels may continue to do so until their software is updated. Beginning March 16, 2008, mailers using this option must make trays for all required presort levels.
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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9.0 Combining Bundles of Automation and Nonautomation Flats in Trays and Sacks
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9.2 Periodicals
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[Revise title as follows:]
9.2.5 Optional Tray Preparation — Machinable Flat-Size Pieces
[Revise 9.2.5 to allow mailers to prepare all machinable-rate flats in trays as follows:]
As an option, mailers may place in flats trays (see 707.20.4) machinable pieces meeting the criteria in 301.3.0 that would normally be placed in sacks. Mailers must either bundle or group all pieces as specified in 707.25.0 and 707.22.0 for each 5-digit scheme, 5-digit, 3-digit scheme, 3-digit, SCF, and ADC destination. Bundling is not permitted unless it achieves a finer presort than the presort destination of the tray. The trays are subject to a container charge, and any bundles are subject to a bundle charge. Tray preparation, sequence, and labeling:
a. 5-digit scheme (required), 24-piece minimum, labeling:
1. Line 1: Use L007, Column B.
2. Line 2: “PER” or “NEWS” as applicable; followed by “FLTS”; followed by “5D SCH BC/NBC.”
b. 5-digit (required), 24-piece minimum, labeling:
1. Line 1: City, state, and 5-digit ZIP Code on mail (see 708.6.1.2 for overseas military mail).
2. Line 2: “PER” or “NEWS” as applicable; followed by “FLTS”; followed by “5D BC/NBC.”
c. 3-digit (required), 24-piece minimum, labeling:
1. Line 1: Use L002, Column A.
2. Line 2: “PER” or “NEWS” as applicable; followed by “FLTS”; followed by “3D BC/NBC.”
d. SCF (required), 24-piece minimum, labeling:
1. Line 1: Use L002, Column C.
2. Line 2: “PER” or “NEWS” as applicable; followed by “FLTS”; followed by “SCF BC/NBC.”
e. Origin SCF (required) and entry SCF(s) (optional), no minimum, labeling:
1. Line 1: Use L002, Column C.
2. Line 2: “PER” or “NEWS” as applicable; followed by “FLTS”; followed by “SCF BC/NBC.”
f. ADC (required), 24-piece minimum, no overflow tray allowed, labeling:
1. Line 1: Use L004, Column B.
2. Line 2: “PER” or “NEWS” as applicable; followed by “FLTS”; followed by “ADC”; followed by “BC/NBC.”
g. Origin mixed ADC (required), no minimum, for any remaining pieces for destinations in L201, Column B, of the origin ZIP Code in Column A, labeling:
1. Line 1: Use L201, Column C.
2. Line 2: “PER” or “NEWS” as applicable; followed by “FLTS”; followed by “WKG W FCM.”
h. Mixed ADC (required), no minimum, labeling:
1. Line 1: Use L009.
2. Line 2: “PER” or “NEWS” as applicable; followed by “FLTS”; followed by “BC/NBC WKG.”
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10.0 Merging Bundles of Flats in Sacks and Pallets Using the City State Product
10.1 Periodicals
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10.1.4 Sack Preparation and Labeling
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[Add a new last sentence to the introductory text of item h as follows:]
h. Merged 3-digit. ***As an option to preparing bundles in merged 3-digit sacks, mailers may place those bundles in flats trays (see 707.20.4). Labeling:
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707 Periodicals
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20.0 Sacks and Trays
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20.4 Use of Flat Trays (Optional)
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20.4.3 Flat Tray Preparation
Mailers using this option must prepare flat trays subject to these standards:
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[Revise items b and e as follows:]
b. Pieces must be placed in trays to maintain their orientation (double stacks of mail are allowed). Once the required minimum volume is reached to allow or require preparation of a 5-digit scheme, 5-digit, 3–digit, SCF, or ADC tray, additional pieces must be placed in the same tray up to its capacity to minimize the number of trays used. Trays must not be so full that the mailpieces inhibit adequate closure or covering of the contents.
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e. When pieces remain after one or more full trays are prepared for a 5-digit scheme, 5-digit, 3-digit, SCF, or ADC destination, an additional tray to the destination must be prepared if the remaining pieces reach the required volume. If the remaining volume is below the required minimum, the pieces must be moved to the next tray level that meets the minimum volume.
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22.0 Preparing Nonbarcoded (Presorted) Rate Periodicals
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22.7 Optional Tray Preparation — Flat-Size Nonbarcoded Pieces
[Revise 22.7 to allow mailers to prepare all machinable-rate nonbarcoded flats in trays as follows:]
As an option, mailers may place in flats trays (see 20.4) machinable pieces meeting the criteria in 301.3.0 that would normally be placed in sacks. Mailers must either bundle or group together all pieces for each 5-digit scheme, 5-digit, 3-digit, SCF, and ADC destination. Bundling is not permitted unless it achieves a finer presort than the presort destination of the tray. The trays are subject to a container charge, and any bundles are subject to a bundle charge. Tray preparation, sequence, and labeling:
a. 5-digit scheme (required), 24-piece minimum, labeling:
1. Line 1: Use L007, Column B.
2. Line 2: “PER” or “NEWS” as applicable; followed by “FLTS”; followed by “5D SCH NON BC.”
b. 5-digit (required), 24-piece minimum, labeling:
1. Line 1: City, state, and 5-digit ZIP Code on mail (see 708.6.1.2 for overseas military mail).
2. Line 2: “PER” or “NEWS” as applicable; followed by “FLTS”; followed by “5D NON BC.”
c. 3-digit (required), 24-piece minimum, labeling:
1. Line 1: Use L002, Column A.
2. Line 2: “PER” or “NEWS” as applicable; followed by “FLTS”; followed by “3D NON BC.”
d. SCF (required), 24-piece minimum, labeling:
1. Line 1: Use L002, Column C.
2. Line 2: “PER” or “NEWS” as applicable; followed by “FLTS”; followed by “SCF NON BC.”
e. Origin SCF (required) and entry SCF(s) (optional), no minimum, labeling:
1. Line 1: Use L002, Column C.
2. Line 2: “PER” or “NEWS” as applicable; followed by “FLTS”; followed by “SCF NON BC.”
f. ADC (required), 24-piece minimum, no overflow tray allowed, labeling:
1. Line 1: Use L004, Column B.
2. Line 2: “PER” or “NEWS” as applicable; followed by “FLTS”; followed by “ADC”; followed by “NON BC.”
g. Origin mixed ADC (required), no minimum, for any remaining pieces for destinations in L201, Column B, of the origin ZIP Code in Column A, labeling:
1. Line 1: Use L201, Column C.
2. Line 2: “PER” or “NEWS” as applicable; followed by “FLTS”; followed by “WKG W FCM.”
h. Mixed ADC (required), no minimum, labeling:
1. Line 1: Use L009.
2. Line 2: “PER” or “NEWS” as applicable; followed by “FLTS”; followed by “NON BC WKG.”
23.0 Preparing Carrier Route Rate Periodicals
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23.4 Preparation — Flat-Size Pieces and Irregular Parcels
23.4.1 Sacking and Labeling
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[Add a new last sentence to the introductory text of item d as follows:]
d. 3-digit carrier routes, required with one six-piece bundle. As an option to preparing carrier route bundles in 3-digit carrier routes sacks, mailers may place those bundles in flats trays (see 707.20.4).
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25.0 Preparing Flat-Size Barcoded (Automation) Rate Periodicals
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25.5 Optional Tray Preparation — Flat-Size Barcoded Pieces
[Revise 25.5 to allow mailers to prepare all machinable-rate barcoded flats in trays as follows:]
As an option, mailers may place in flats trays (see 20.4) machinable pieces prepared under 301.3.0 that would normally be placed in sacks. Mailers must either bundle or group together all pieces for each 5-digit scheme, 5-digit, 3-digit scheme, 3-digit, SCF, and ADC destination. Bundling is not permitted unless it achieves a finer presort than the presort destination of the tray. The trays are subject to a container charge, and any bundles are subject to a bundle charge. Tray preparation, sequence, and labeling:
a. 5-digit scheme (required), 24-piece minimum, labeling:
1. Line 1: Use L007, Column B.
2. Line 2: “PER” or “NEWS” as applicable; followed by “FLTS”; followed by “5D SCH BC.”
b. 5-digit (required), 24-piece minimum, labeling:
1. Line 1: City, state, and 5-digit ZIP Code on mail (see 708.6.1.2 for overseas military mail).
2. Line 2: “PER” or “NEWS” as applicable; followed by “FLTS”; followed by “5D BC.”
c. 3-digit (required), 24-piece minimum, labeling:
1. Line 1: Use L002, Column A.
2. Line 2: “PER” or “NEWS” as applicable; followed by “FLTS”; followed by “3D BC.”
d. SCF (required), 24-piece minimum, labeling:
1. Line 1: Use L002, Column C.
2. Line 2: “PER” or “NEWS” as applicable; followed by “FLTS”; followed by “SCF BC.”
e. Origin SCF (required) and entry SCF(s) (optional), no minimum, labeling:
1. Line 1: Use L002, Column C.
2. Line 2: “PER” or “NEWS” as applicable; followed by “FLTS”; followed by “SCF BC.”
f. ADC (required), 24-piece minimum, no overflow tray allowed, labeling:
1. Line 1: Use L004, Column B.
2. Line 2: “PER” or “NEWS” as applicable; followed by “FLTS”; followed by “ADC”; followed by “BC.”
g. Origin mixed ADC (required), no minimum, for any remaining pieces for destinations in L201, Column B, of the origin ZIP Code in Column A, labeling:
1. Line 1: Use L201, Column C.
2. Line 2: “PER” or “NEWS” as applicable; followed by “FLTS”; followed by “WKG W FCM.”
h. Mixed ADC (required), no minimum, labeling:
1. Line 1: Use L009.
2. Line 2: “PER” or “NEWS” as applicable; followed by “FLTS”; followed by “BC WKG.”
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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, 8-30-07
