Effective September 27, 2007, mailers may prepare Standard Mail® and Package Services parcels under a new option for combined parcel mailings. The new standards provide more opportunities for parcel mailers to combine mailings, encourage drop shipping, and better align mail preparation with our processing capabilities. These new standards for combining parcels (including Not Flat-Machinables) are an option to the current mail preparation in Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) 705.6.0, Combining Mailings of Standard Mail and Package Services Parcels, and 705.7.0, Combining Package Services Parcels for Destination Entry, for 6 months.
In April 2008, the new standards will replace the current options and will be required for all combined parcel mailings. We will include this option in the next online update of the DMM, but mailers may prepare their mailings according to these new standards immediately.
Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)
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400 Discount Parcels
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440 Standard Mail
443 Rates and Eligibility
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5.0 Additional Eligibility Standards for Presorted Standard Mail Pieces
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5.3 Rates for Machinable Parcels
5.3.1 5-Digit Rate
The 5-digit rate applies to qualifying machinable parcels presented:
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[Add new item d as follows:]
d. In 5-digit/scheme containers prepared under 705.20.0.
5.3.2 BMC Rate
The BMC rate applies to qualifying machinable parcels presented:
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[Add new item c as follows:]
c. In a BMC/ASF container prepared under 705.20.0.
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5.4 Rates for Irregular Parcels
5.4.1 5-Digit Rate
The 5-digit rate applies to irregular parcels (see 401.1.6) presented:
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[Add new item d as follows:]
d. In 5-digit/scheme containers prepared under 705.20.0.
5.4.2 3-Digit Rate
The 3-digit rate applies to irregular parcels (see 401.1.6) presented:
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[Add new item c as follows:]
c. In 3-digit containers prepared under 705.20.0.
5.4.3 ADC Rate
The ADC rate applies to irregular parcels (see 401.1.6) presented:
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[Add new item c as follows:]
c. In ADC containers prepared under 705.20.0.
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5.5 Rates for Not Flat-Machinable (NFM) Pieces
5.5.1 5-Digit Rate
The 5-digit rate applies to NFM pieces presented:
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[Add new item e as follows:]
e. In 5-digit/scheme containers prepared under 705.20.0.
5.5.2 3-Digit Rates
The 3-digit rate applies to NFM pieces presented:
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[Add new item c as follows:]
c. In 3-digit containers prepared under 705.20.0.
5.5.3 ADC Rate
The ADC rate applies to NFM pieces presented:
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[Add new item c as follows:]
c. In ADC containers prepared under 705.20.0.
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450 Parcel Post
453 Rates and Eligibility
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3.0 Rate Eligibility Standards for Parcel Post
3.1 Parcel Post and Parcel Select Rate Eligibility
[Revise the introductory text in 3.1 by adding a new fifth sentence as follows:]
There are five Parcel Post (including Parcel Select) rate categories: Intra-BMC, Inter-BMC, destination bulk mail center (DBMC), destination sectional center facility (DSCF), and destination delivery unit (DDU). Parcel Post mailed at any of the destination entry rates is called “Parcel Select” (see 456.2.0). Intra-BMC and Inter-BMC Parcel Post rates and DBMC Parcel Select rates are calculated based on the zone to which the parcel is addressed and the weight of the parcel. DSCF and DDU Parcel Select rates are calculated based on the weight of the parcel. Parcel Post prepared under 705.20.0 is eligible for Intra-BMC, Inter-BMC, OBMC Presort, BMC Presort, and Parcel Select rates. Requirements for Parcel Post rates and discounts are as follows:
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[Revise items c through f as follows:]
c. Parcel Post for which OBMC Presort, BMC Presort, and barcode discounts are claimed and Parcel Post that is mailed at a destination entry rate (Parcel Select-DBMC, -DSCF, -DDU (456.2.0, Parcel Select)) must be part of a mailing of 50 or more Parcel Post rate pieces. Eligibility for one of those rates or discounts does not require a separate 50 qualifying pieces per rate or per discount. Eligibility for more than one of those rates or discounts in the same Parcel Post mailing is possible, provided there are a total of at least 50 pieces of mail qualifying for any or all Parcel Post rates in the mailing or when prepared as part of a combined mailing under 705.20.0.
d. The BMC Presort per piece discount applies to pieces of Inter-BMC Parcel Post sorted to BMC destinations under L601 for machinable pieces and sorted to BMC and ASF destinations for nonmachinable pieces under L605 and to pieces prepared as part of a combined mailing under 705.20.0. To qualify, machinable pieces must be placed in pallet boxes on pallets, and nonmachinable pieces must be placed directly on pallets under 705.8.0 or be prepared as part of a combined mailing under 705.20.0 and placed in either a 5-digit, 3-digit, ADC, or BMC container. The mail must be entered at a postal facility that is not a BMC and must be part of a mailing containing 50 or more Parcel Post rate pieces.
e. The origin bulk mail center (OBMC) Presort per piece discount applies to pieces of Inter-BMC Parcel Post sorted to BMC destinations under L601 for machinable pieces and sorted to BMC and ASF destinations for nonmachinable pieces under L605 and to pieces prepared as part of a combined mailing under 705.20.0. To qualify, machinable pieces must be placed in pallet boxes on pallets; and nonmachinable pieces must be placed directly on pallets under 705.8.0 or be prepared as part of a combined mailing and placed in either a 5-digit, 3-digit, ADC, or BMC container under 705.20.0. The mail must be entered at a BMC listed in L601 and must be part of a mailing containing 50 or more Parcel Post rate pieces.
f. The barcode discount applies to Inter-BMC/ASF and Intra-BMC/ASF Parcel Post machinable parcels (401.1.5) that bear a UCC/EAN Code 128 barcode under 708.5.0 for the ZIP Code of the delivery address and are part of a mailing of 50 or more Parcel Post rate pieces or when prepared as part of a combined mailing of 300 or more pieces under 705.20.0 in other than 5-digit containers.
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460 Bound Printed Matter
463 Rates and Eligibility
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4.0 Rate Eligibility for Bound Printed Matter Parcels
4.1 Rate Eligibility
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[Revise item b as follows:]
b. Presorted Rate. The Presorted rate applies to BPM prepared in a mailing of at least 300 BPM pieces, prepared and presorted as specified in 465.5.0, Preparing Presorted Parcels, 705.8.0, Preparing Pallets, or 705.20.0, Optional Combined Parcel Mailings.
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470 Media Mail
473 Rates and Eligibility
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3.0 Rate Eligibility for Media Mail Parcels
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3.2 Rate Eligibility Standards
[Revise the first and second sentence of 3.2 as follows:]
A Presorted Media Mail mailing must contain a minimum of 300 pieces claimed at any combination of 5-digit and basic rates or be part of a combined mailing under 705.20.0. Those pieces in the mailing that meet the 5-digit presort requirements are eligible for the 5-digit presort rate and those pieces that meet the basic presort requirements are eligible for the basic rates, subject to the preparation standards in 475.5.0, Preparing Media Mail Parcels, 705.8.0, Preparing Pallets, or 705.20.0, Optional Combined parcel mailings.***
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3.4 Rate Categories for Media Mail
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[Revise items a through c as follows:]
a. To qualify for the 5-digit rate, a piece must be prepared and sorted to either 5-digit scheme (machinable parcels only) and 5-digit sacks under 475.5.0, Preparing Media Mail Parcels, or to 5-digit scheme (machinable parcels only) and 5-digit pallets under 705.8.0, or 705.20.0, Optional Combined Parcel Mailings. All logical 5-digit bundles on pallets must contain at least 10 pieces. Nonmachinable parcels may qualify for the 5-digit rate if prepared to preserve sortation by 5-digit ZIP Code as prescribed by the postmaster of the mailing office.
b. All pieces prepared and sorted under 475.5.0, Preparing Media Mail Parcels, 705.8.0, Preparing Pallets, or 705.20.0, Optional Combined Parcel Mailings that are not eligible for the 5-digit rate may qualify for the basic or single-piece rate. Nonmachinable parcels may qualify for the basic rate if prepared to preserve sortation by BMC as prescribed by the postmaster of the mailing office.
c. Barcode Discount. The barcode discount applies to Media Mail machinable parcels (see 401.1.5.1) that are included in a mailing of at least 50 pieces of Media Mail or a combined mailing under 705.20.0. The pieces must be entered either at single-piece rates or basic rates and bear a correct, readable barcode for the ZIP Code shown in the delivery address as required by 402.4.0. The barcode discount is not available for pieces mailed at 5-digit rates.
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480 Library Mail
483 Rates and Eligibility
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3.0 Rate Eligibility for Library Mail Parcels
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3.2 Rate Eligibility Standards
[Revise first two sentences in 3.2 as follows:]
A Presorted Library Mail mailing must contain a minimum of 300 pieces claimed at any combination of 5-digit and basic rates or be part of a combined mailing under 705.20.0. Those pieces in the mailing that meet the 5-digit presort requirements are eligible for the 5-digit presort rate, and those pieces that meet the basic presort requirements are eligible for the basic rate, subject to the preparation standards in 485.5.0, Preparing Library Mail Parcels, 705.8.0, Preparing Pallets, or 705.20.0, Optional Combined Parcel Mailing.***
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3.4 Rate Categories for Library Mail
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[Revise items a through c as follows:]
a. To qualify for the 5-digit rate, a piece must be prepared and sorted to either 5-digit scheme (machinable parcels only) and 5-digit sacks under 485.5.0, Preparing Library Mail Parcels, or to 5-digit scheme (machinable parcels only) and 5-digit pallets under 705.8.0, or 705.20.0, Optional Combined Parcel Mailings. All logical 5-digit bundles on pallets must contain at least 10 pieces. Nonmachinable parcels may qualify for the 5-digit rate if prepared to preserve sortation by 5-digit ZIP Code as prescribed by the postmaster of the mailing office.
b. All pieces prepared and sorted under 485.5.0, Preparing Library Mail Parcels, 705.8.0, Preparing Pallets, or 705.20.0, Optional Combined Parcel Mailings, that are not eligible for the 5-digit rate may qualify for the basic or single-piece rate. Nonmachinable parcels may qualify for the basic rate if prepared to preserve sortation by BMC as prescribed by the postmaster.
c. Barcode Discount. The barcode discount applies to Media Mail machinable parcels (see 401.1.5.1) that are included in a mailing of at least 50 pieces of Library Mail or a combined mailing under 705.20.0. The pieces must be entered either at single-piece rates or basic rates and bear a correct, readable barcode for the ZIP Code shown in the delivery address as required by 402.4.0. The barcode discount is not available for pieces mailed at 5-digit rates.
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700 Special Standards
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705 Advanced Preparation and Special Postage Payment Systems
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[Add new 20.0 for combined parcel mailings as follows:]
20.0 Optional Combined Parcel Mailings
20.1 Basic Standards for Combining Package Services and Standard Mail Parcels
20.1.1 Basic Standards
Package Services parcels, Standard Mail parcels, and Not Flat-Machinables (NFMs) in a combined parcel mailing must meet the following standards:
a. Each parcel in a combined mailing is subject to the applicable content and rate eligibility standards for the rate claimed.
b. Mailers must be authorized under 8.1.4.
c. Mailers must pay all applicable presort mailing and destination entry mailing fees.
d. Combined mailings must meet the following minimum volume requirements:
1. Standard Mail — Minimum 200 pieces or 50 pounds of Standard Mail parcels and NFMs combined.
2. Package Services (single-piece rates) — Minimum 50 parcels of Parcel Post (including Parcel Select), Bound Printed Matter, Library Mail, and Media Mail parcels combined.
3. If claiming Presorted BPM, Media Mail or Library Mail rates — Minimum 300 parcels per subclass.
20.1.2 Postage Payment
Mailers must pay postage for all pieces with a permit imprint at the Post Office serving the mailer’s plant using an approved Manifest Mailing System (MMS) under 2.0. The MMS agreement must include procedures for combined mailings approved by Business Mailer Support. Mailers may document and pay postage using the Electronic Verification System (eVS) under 2.9.
20.1.3 Documentation
Mailers must prepare separate postage statements for Standard Mail and Package Services pieces in the combined mailing. At the time of mailing, mailers must provide all postage statements and a Business Mailer Support—approved manifest prepared according to 2.0 and this section. Presort documentation is required as applicable for each rate claimed if the manifest does not list pieces in presort order.
20.1.4 Authorization
A mailer who wants to present combined parcel mailings must submit a written request to the manager, Business Mailer Support (see 608.8.1 for address). The request must show the mailer’s name and address, the mailing office, evidence of authorization to mail under 2.0, procedures for the combined parcel mailing, the expected date of first mailing, a sample of the required manifest, and a sample USPS Qualification report. Business Mailer Support will review the documentation and provide written authorization when approved. A mailer may terminate an authorization at any time by written notice to the postmaster of the office serving the mailer’s location. Business Mailer Support may terminate an authorization, by written notice, if the mailer does not meet the standards.
20.2 Rate Eligibility
20.2.1 Eligible Rates
Combined parcels may be eligible for Standard Mail, Parcel Post, Parcel Select, single-piece and Presorted Media Mail, single-piece and Presorted Library Mail, single-piece and Presorted Bound Printed Matter, and destination entry rates and discounts as applicable. Inter-BMC Parcel Post may be eligible for BMC presort and OBMC presort discounts.
20.2.2 Rate Application
Apply rates based on the rate criteria in 400 and the following standards:
a. Standard Mail machinable parcels, irregular parcels, and NFM rates are based on the container level and entry. See 443.5.0, Additional Eligibility Standards for Presorted Standard Mail Pieces.
b. Bound Printed Matter parcels qualify for single-piece rates or Presorted Bound Printed Matter rates as follows:
1. Presorted rates for BPM pieces prepared in other than MXD ADC/MXD BMC containers when there are at least 300 pieces of BPM in the combined mailing.
2. Single-piece rates for pieces prepared in MXD ADC/MXD BMC containers and when there are less than 300 pieces of BPM in the combined mailing.
3. Destination entry rates based on entry.
c. Media Mail parcels qualify for single-piece, basic, or 5-digit rates as follows:
1. 5-digit rates for pieces prepared in 5-digit/scheme containers when there are at least 300 pieces of Media Mail in the combined mailing.
2. Basic rates for pieces prepared in 3-digit, ADC, and BMC containers when there are at least 300 pieces of Media Mail in the combined mailing.
3. Single-piece rates for pieces prepared in MXD ADC/MXD BMC containers and when there are less than 300 pieces of Media Mail in the combined mailing.
d. Library Mail parcels qualify for single-piece, basic, or 5-digit rates as follows:
1. 5-digit rates for pieces prepared in 5-digit/scheme containers when there are at least 300 pieces of Library Mail in the combined mailing.
2. Basic rates for pieces prepared in 3-digit, ADC, and BMC containers when there are at least 300 pieces of Library Mail in the combined mailing.
3. Single-piece rates for pieces in MXD ADC/MXD BMC containers and when there are less than 300 pieces of Library Mail in the combined mailing.
e. Parcel Select rates are based on destination entry for pieces in 5-digit, 3-digit, ADC, or BMC containers.
f. Parcel Post rates are based on the following:
1. Intra-BMC and Inter-BMC rates for pieces placed in MXD ADC/MXD BMC containers.
2. BMC presort discounts for origin entered (other than a BMC) Parcel Post pieces placed in 5-digit, 3-digit, ADC, or BMC containers.
3. OBMC presort discounts for origin BMC entered Parcel Post pieces placed in 5-digit, 3-digit, ADC, or BMC containers.
20.3 Mail Preparation
20.3.1 Basic Standards
Prepare combined mailings as follows:
a. Different parcel types must be prepared separately for combined parcel mailings as indicated below:
1. Standard Mail and Package Services Machinable Parcels and NFMs 6 ounces or more, or as provided under 401.1.52 for lightweight machinable parcels. Use “STD/PSVC MACH” for line 2 content labeling.
2. Standard Mail and Package Services Irregular Parcels and NFMs weighing at least 2 ounces and up to, but not including, 6 ounces (APPS-machinable pieces), except for tubes, rolls, triangles, and other similarly irregularly shaped pieces. Use “STD/PSVC” for line 2 content labeling.
3. Standard Mail and Package Services tubes, rolls, triangles, and similarly irregularly shaped parcels; and all parcels and NFMs weighing under 2 ounces (not APPS-machinable pieces). Use “STD/PSVC IRREG” for line 2 content labeling.
4. All parcel types may be combined in 5-digit containers.
b. Mailers must prepare all parcels in sacks under 445.5.0, or on pallets, or in pallet boxes under 705.8.0 to achieve the finest level of sortation.
20.3.2 Combining Standard Mail and Package Services Machinable Parcels and NFMs 6 Ounces or More
Prepare and enter combined machinable parcels as shown in the table below:
20.3.3 Combining Standard Mail and Package Services Parcels and NFMs 2–6 Ounces (APPS-Machinable)
Prepare and enter combined APPS-machinable parcels (pieces weighing at least 2 ounces and up to, but not including, 6 ounces that are not tubes, rolls, triangles or similarly irregularly shaped parcels) as shown in the table below.
20.3.4 Combining Standard Mail and Package Services Irregular Parcels and NFMs Under 2 Ounces (Not APPS-Machinable)
Prepare and enter combined not APPS-machinable parcels as shown in the table below.
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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, 9-27-07
