DMM Revision: Clarification — First-Class Mail Parcel Definition
Effective November 6, 2008, the Postal Service™ is revising 101.6.0 and 401.2.0 of Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) to clarify the classification of First-Class Mail® parcels. Mailpieces are classified as parcels, and require parcel prices, when they exceed any one of the maximum dimensions for a flat; or, when they are within the dimensions of a flat but are rigid, nonrectangular in shape, or not uniformly thick. In addition, any First-Class Mail item that is rigid and over
1/4-inch thick is classified as a parcel.
Shape-based pricing was introduced by the Postal Service in 2007. It is critical that we classify First-Class Mail parcels appropriately at acceptance to ensure consistent and accurate prices are charged. Also, correct classification enables the availability of certain extra services, such as Delivery Confirmation™ and Signature Confirmation™, which are available only for parcels, and all Priority Mail® items.
In order for a First-Class Mail item to be eligible for Signature Confirmation or Delivery Confirmation service, it must be eligible to be classified as a parcel. Mailers may not simply choose to pay First-Class Mail parcel prices to add Delivery Confirmation or Signature Confirmation service.
We will incorporate these revisions into the November update of the online DMM on Postal Explorer® at http://pe.usps.com and into the next printed edition of the DMM.
— Mailing Standards,
Pricing, 11-6-08
