The temporarily modified stamp stock limits due to the May 12, 2008, price increase as outlined in “Stamp Stock Limits Revised Temporarily Due to New Prices” in Postal Bulletin 22230 (4-10-08, page 54) expire on October 31, 2008.
Effective November 1, 2008, Handbook F-101, Field Accounting Procedures, is revised with new stamp stock limits for postal retail units (PRUs) and Automated Postal Centers® (APCs®). This policy will also apply to contract postal units (CPUs) as long as the stamp accountability and unused balance on a remote-set postage meter (if applicable) do not exceed the CPU’s bond authorization limit.
The formula for calculating stamp stock limits at PRUs and APCs has been revised to manage stamp stock inventory levels by two periods, or time frames, for each fiscal year (FY).
- Postal FY Quarter 1: The total stamp stock limit for PRUs and APCs during Postal FY Quarter 1 is the total amount of postage sales (AIC 852) from Postal Quarter 1 for the same period last year (SPLY). (This period reflects increased holiday sales).
- Postal FY Quarters 2, 3, and 4: The total stamp stock limit for PRUs and APCs during Postal FY Quarters 2, 3, and 4 is the total amount of postage sales (AIC 852) from Postal Quarters 2, 3, and 4 from SPLY divided by three. (This will allow the PRU to maintain stamp stock of approximately 3 months of the average sales during these quarters.)
Exempt from this rule are PRUs and APCs at which the daily stamp stock total is less than or equal to $5,000. This exception will allow PRUs and APCs to maintain up to $5,000 in total stamp stock before the calculation for excess stamp stock applies.
With the implementation of this new policy, postmasters, managers, or supervisors will only have to calculate the maximum stamp stock limit twice a year; Quarter 1 and Quarters 2–4. Do not, at any time, exceed the maximum limit of your unit inventory (AIC 853) based on the calculations as stated herein.
Note: Newly established PRUs, APCs, and CPUs can request that the district finance manager (DFM) establish the stamp stock limit when there are no SPLY sales to use for calculating the stamp stock limit as described earlier. The DFM will provide the unit with a written authorization with the amount established, effective date, and expiration date.
Handbook F-101, Field Accounting Procedures (FAP)
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11 Accountable Paper — PRUs
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11-3 Responsibilities
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11-3.4 Stamp Stock Limits
[Revise 11-3.4 to read as follows:]
The total stamp stock limit (AIC 853, Stamp Accountability Closing Balance) for postal retail units (PRUs) and Automated Postal Centers (APCs) is based on the following two periods:
- For Postal FY Quarter 1 (October 1 — December 31), the stamp stock limit is the total sales reported in AIC 852 from same period last year (SPLY), same quarter. For example, if your stamp sales revenue (AIC 852) from Quarter 1 of the previous year was $10,000, your stamp stock limit (AIC 853) for each day in Quarter 1 of the current year must not exceed $10,000.
- For Postal FY Quarters 2, 3, and 4 (January 1 — September 30), the stamp stock limit is the total sales reported in AIC 852 from Quarters 2, 3, and 4 of the same period last year (SPLY) divided by three. For example, if your stamp sales revenue (AIC 852) from Quarters 2, 3, and 4 of the previous year totals $30,000, your stamp stock limit (AIC 853) for each day in Quarters 2, 3, and 4 of the current year must not exceed $10,000 (30,000/3 = 10,000).
Exempt from this rule are PRUs and APCs at which the daily stamp stock total is less than or equal to $5,000. This exception will allow PRUs and APCs to maintain up to $5,000 in total stamp stock before the calculation for excess stamp stock applies.
This policy will also apply to contract postal units (CPUs) as long as the stamp accountability and unused balance on a remote-set postage meter (if applicable) does not exceed the CPU’s bond authorization limit (see part 6-4.2). For example, if a CPU’s stamp stock limit (based on the calculation described above) is $10,000, but the CPU’s authorized bond amount is only $8,000, then the maximum stamp stock limit for the CPU is $8,000. In this example, if the CPU also has an unused balance in a Post Office meter of $1,000, then the maximum stock limit for the CPU is $7,000. CPUs must not at any time exceed the maximum stock limit, even if the authorized bond amount is higher.
A unit’s stamp stock total is the amount reported in AIC 853 in the unit’s PS Form 1412, Daily Financial Report, and is comprised of the following:
a. The unit reserve.
b. Stamp stock credits assigned from the unit reserve (e.g., vending, philatelic, Stamps by Mail, mobile units, special events).
c. The retail floor stock when the unit operates under Segmented Inventory Accountability (SIA).
Do not, at any time, exceed the maximum limit of your unit inventory (AIC 853) based on the calculations as stated above. It is the responsibility of the postmaster, manager, or supervisor to monitor automatic shipments of stamp stock and adjust quantities as necessary in order not to exceed stamp stock limits (see part 11-4.2).
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We will incorporate these revisions into the next updated version of Handbook F-101, Field Accounting Procedures, available on the Accounting website:
The direct website address is http://blue.usps.gov/accounting/_pdf/HandbookF-101.pdf.
— Accounting Policy,
Controller, 10-9-08
