Effective February 7, 2011, the Postal Service™ will revise Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) 343.6.0, 343.7.0, 363.5.0, 363.6.0, 705.14.0, 707.13.0, 707.14.0 and Labeling List L006 to provide new standards for mail preparation of flat-size Standard Mail®, Periodicals, and Bound Printed Matter mailpieces prepared for delivery within the ZIP Codes™ served by Flats Sequencing System (FSS) processing.
The Postal Service is providing these expanded preparation options for mailers to increase the volume of mail arriving at FSS facilities that is already prepared and ready for processing. Increased flat-size volumes identified and prepared for immediate FSS processing will allow the Postal Service to enhance efficiency and control costs through the improved alignment of mail preparation with Postal Service processing operations.
The Postal Service first published standards for this optional program in the DMM on January 2, 2011. On December 16, 2010, via the DMM Advisory, the Postal Service announced its intent to provide additional modifications to the standards scheduled for publication on January 2, 2011. These new standards reflect the changes referenced in the December 16, 2010, DMM Advisory.
Mailers choosing to participate in the optional program will still be required to prepare bundles to FSS zones based on the standards provided in the original January 2, 2011, DMM change. However, mailers will now have the option to place 5-digit FSS scheme bundles on other pallet levels, into sacks, or into approved alternate containers, when the volume is insufficient to create a pallet.
Mailers will continue to place qualifying mailpieces into a separate combined pool for each individual 5-digit FSS-scheme combination, and will continue to prepare and mark bundles as specified in the January 2, 2011, revision. When sufficient volume exists for any pallet level, bundles must still be placed on pallets, forming layers of consistent thickness; and bundles of nonuniform thickness must be counter-stacked on pallets in accordance with current standards. Pallets must continue to be prepared and labeled with a pallet placard bearing an Intelligent Mail® container barcode.
When 5-digit FSS scheme bundles are placed into sacks or approved alternate containers, these sacks or containers must bear an Intelligent Mail tray label. The barcode applied to any FSS Sort Plan or FSS Facility sack or alternate container must include the content identifier number (CIN) for the barcoded (or automation) 5-digit scheme sortation level for the applicable class of mail. Line 2 of the tray label will reflect the human-readable text provided in these revised standards.
Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)
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300 Commercial Flats
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340 Standard Mail
343 Prices and Eligibility
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6.0 Additional Eligibility Standards for Enhanced Carrier Route Standard Mail Flats
6.1 General Enhanced Carrier Route Standards
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6.1.2 Basic Eligibility Standards
All pieces in an Enhanced Carrier Route or Nonprofit Enhanced Carrier Route Standard Mail mailing must:
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[Revise item 6.1.2 c to reflect the change in title of 705.14.0 as follows:]
c. Be sorted to carrier routes, marked, and documented under 345.6.0, or 705.8.0, or for barcoded flats, prepared under 705.14.0, Combining Bundles of Flats Within FSS Zones.
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7.0 Additional Eligibility Standards for Automation Standard Mail Flats
7.1 Basic Eligibility Standards for Automation Standard Mail
All pieces in a Regular Standard Mail or Nonprofit Standard Mail automation mailing must:
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[Revise item 7.1f to reflect the change in title of 705.14.0 as follows:]
f. Be marked, sorted, and documented as specified in 345.7.0 and 705.8.0 through 705.13.0; or prepared under 705.14.0, Combining Bundles of Flats Within FSS Zones.
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360 Bound Printed Matter
363 Prices and Eligibility
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5.0 Additional Eligibility Standards for Presorted and Carrier Route Bound Printed Matter Flats
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5.2 Additional Standards for Carrier Route Bound Printed Matter
In addition to the basic standards in 2.0, and 3.0, all pieces in a Bound Printed Matter carrier route price mailing must:
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[Revise item 5.2b to reflect the change in title of 705.14.0 as follows:]
b. Meet the preparation standards in 365.6.0 or 705.8.0, or for barcoded flats prepared under 705.14.0, Combining Bundles of Flats Within FSS Zones.
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6.0 Additional Eligibility Standards for Barcoded Bound Printed Matter Flats
6.1 Basic Eligibility Standards for Barcoded Bound Printed Matter
[Revise the third sentence of 6.1 to reflect the change in title of 705.14.0 as follows as follows:]
***Pieces may also be optionally prepared under 705.14.0, Combining Bundles of Flats Within FSS Zones.***
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700 Special Standards
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705 Advanced Preparation and Special Postage Payment Systems
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[Revise title of 705.14 as follows:]
14.0 Combining Bundles of Flats Within FSS Zones
14.1 General
[Revise the first sentence, and add a new second sentence to the introductory paragraph of 14.1 as follows:]
Bound Printed Matter flats eligible for and paid at barcoded prices or carrier route prices, and all flat-size Standard Mail and Periodicals pieces, may optionally be consolidated into 5-digit FSS scheme bundles and placed on pallets, in sacks, or in approved alternate containers, for individual or multiple 5-digit FSS scheme ZIP Code combinations within the same facility. Flat-size pieces prepared to FSS zones may also be combined with flat-size mailpieces not intended for FSS processing when prepared in accordance with these standards and the standards in 8.0.***Mailpieces and bundles must also be prepared as follows:
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[Revise 14.1 by adding new items j and k as follows:]
j. Bundles of flat-size pieces prepared to FSS zones must be palletized under 8.0 when 250 pounds or more of bundles are available for a presort destination. Bundles remaining after palletization may be placed in sacks or approved alternate containers.
k. Sacks containing flat-size pieces prepared to FSS zones must be labeled with Intelligent Mail tray labels under 708.6.5.0.
14.2 Periodicals
14.2.1 Basic Standards
[Revise the first sentence of the introductory paragraph of 14.2.1 as follows:]
Periodicals flats, including nonmachinable flats (up to 1 inch in thickness) may be combined in five-digit FSS scheme bundles and placed on pallets, or in sacks or approved alternate containers, for delivery to ZIP Codes having Flats Sequencing System (FSS) processing capability, as shown in L006.***
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14.2.2 Pallet Preparation and Labeling
[Revise the introductory paragraph of 14.2.2 as follows:]
Periodicals flats pieces prepared in 5-digit FSS scheme bundles must be placed on pallets in accordance with these standards. Residual bundles may be included with non-FSS bundles and placed directly on 3-digit, SCF, or ADC pallets in accordance with 8.10.2; or placed in sacks or approved alternate containers. Preparation sequence and labeling:
[Revise the first sentence of the opening paragraph of 14.2.2a as follows:]
a. FSS sort plan, required (optional under 250 pounds), no minimum, permitted only for FSS bundles prepared for a single FSS sort plan as shown in L006.***
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[Revise the first sentence of the opening paragraph of 14.2.2b as follows:]
b. FSS facility sort, required (optional under 250 pounds), no minimum, permitted only for FSS bundles prepared for the FSS sort plans processed within the same SCF as shown in L006.***
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[Delete item 14.2.2c in its entirety and add a new 14.2.3 as follows:]
14.2.3 Sack Preparation and Labeling
Properly prepared flat-size mailpieces in 5-digit FSS scheme bundles may be placed in sacks or approved alternate containers when 250 pounds are not available to a presort destination. 5-digit FSS scheme bundles may also be placed, or combined with non-FSS bundles and placed in 3-digit, SCF, ADC, or mixed ADC sacks or alternate containers. Preparation and labeling:
a. FSS sort plan, required, permitted only for 5-digit FSS scheme bundles prepared for a single FSS sort plan as shown in L006; labeling:
1. Line 1: L006, column B.
2. Line 2: "PER FLTS 5D FSS SCH BC" or "NEWS FLTS 5D FSS SCH BC," as applicable.
b. FSS facility sort, required, permitted only for FSS bundles prepared for the FSS sort plans processed within the same facility as shown in L006.
1. Line 1: L006, column C.
2. Line 2: Line 2: "PER FLTS 5D FSS SCH BC" or "NEWS FLTS 5D FSS SCH BC," as applicable.
14.3 Standard Mail
14.3.1 Basic Standards
[Revise the first sentence of the introductory paragraph of 14.3.1 as follows:]
All flat-size Standard Mail mailpieces may be combined in 5-digit FSS scheme bundles and placed on pallets, or in sacks or approved alternate containers, for delivery to ZIP Codes having Flats Sequencing System (FSS) processing capability, as shown in L006.***
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14.3.2 Pallet Preparation and Labeling
[Revise the introductory paragraph of 14.3.2 as follows:]
Standard Mail flats prepared in 5-digit FSS scheme bundles must be placed on pallets in accordance with these standards. Residual bundles may be included with non-FSS bundles and placed directly on 3-digit, SCF, ASF, or NDC pallets in accordance with 8.10.2; or placed in sacks or approved alternate containers.
Preparation sequence and labeling:
[Revise the first sentence of the opening paragraph of 14.3.2a as follows:]
a. FSS sort plan, required (optional under 250 pounds), no minimum, permitted only for FSS bundles prepared for a single FSS sort plan as shown in L006.***
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[Revise the first sentence of the opening paragraph of 14.3.2b as follows:]
b. FSS facility sort, required (optional under 250 pounds), no minimum, permitted only for FSS bundles prepared for the FSS sort plans processed within the same SCF as shown in L006.***
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[Delete item 14.3.2c in its entirety, and add a new 14.3.3 as follows:]
14.3.3 Sack Preparation and Labeling
Properly prepared flat-size mailpieces in 5-digit FSS scheme bundles may be placed in sacks or approved alternate containers when 250 pounds are not available to a presort destination. 5-digit FSS scheme bundles may be placed, or combined with non-FSS bundles and placed, in 3-digit, SCF, ADC, or mixed ADC sacks or alternate containers. Preparation and labeling:
a. FSS sort plan, required, permitted only for 5-digit FSS scheme bundles prepared for a single FSS sort plan as shown in L006; labeling:
1. Line 1: L006, column B.
2. Line 2: "STD FLTS 5D FSS SCH BC."
b. FSS facility sort, required, permitted only for 5-digit FSS scheme bundles prepared for the FSS sort plans processed within the same facility as shown in L006.
1. Line 1: L006, column C.
2. Line 2: Line 2: "STD FLTS 5D FSS SCH BC."
14.4 Bound Printed Matter
14.4.1 Basic Standards
[Revise the first sentence of the introductory paragraph of 14.4.1 as follows:]
Bound Printed Matter flats eligible for and paid at barcoded prices or carrier route prices may be combined in 5-digit FSS scheme bundles and placed on pallets, or in sacks or approved alternate containers, for delivery to ZIP Codes having Flat Sequencing System (FSS) processing capability, as shown in L006.***
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14.4.2 Pallet Preparation and Labeling
[Revise the introductory paragraph of 14.4.2 as follows:]
Bound Printed Matter flats prepared in 5-digit FSS scheme bundles must be placed on pallets in accordance with these standards. Residual bundles may be included with non-FSS bundles and placed directly on 3-digit, SCF, ASF, or NDC pallets in accordance with 8.10.2; or placed in sacks or approved alternate containers.
Preparation sequence and labeling:
[Revise the first sentence of the opening paragraph of 14.4.2a as follows:]
a. FSS sort plan, required (optional under 250 pounds), no minimum, permitted only for FSS bundles prepared for a single FSS sort plan as shown in L006.***
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[Revise the first sentence of the opening paragraph of 14.4.2b as follows:]
b. FSS facility sort, required (optional under 250 pounds), no minimum, permitted only for FSS bundles prepared for the FSS sort plans processed within the same SCF as shown in L006.***
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[Delete item 14.4.2c in its entirety and add a new 14.4.3 as follows:]
14.4.3 Sack Preparation and Labeling
Properly prepared flat-size mailpieces in 5-digit FSS scheme bundles may be placed in sacks or approved alternate containers when 250 pounds are not available to a presort destination. Five-digit FSS scheme bundles may be placed in mixed NDC sacks or alternate containers, or combined with non-FSS bundles and placed in 3-digit, SCF, ADC, and mixed ADC sacks or alternate containers. Preparation and labeling:
a. FSS sort plan, required, permitted only for 5-digit FSS scheme bundles prepared for a single FSS sort plan as shown in L006; labeling:
1. Line 1: L006, column B.
2. Line 2: "PSVC FLTS 5D FSS SCH BC."
b. FSS facility sort, required, permitted only for 5-digit FSS scheme bundles prepared for the FSS sort plans processed within the same facility as shown in L006.
1. Line 1: L006, column C.
2. Line 2: Line 2: "PSVC FLTS 5D FSS SCH BC."
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707 Periodicals
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13.0 Carrier Route Eligibility
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13.2 Sorting
13.2.1 Basic Standards
***Carrier route prices apply to copies that are prepared in carrier route bundles of six or more addressed pieces each, subject to these standards:
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[Revise item 13.2.1b4 to reflect the change in title of 705.14.0 as follows:]
4. Bundles prepared under 705.14.0, Combining Bundles of Flats Within FSS Zones.
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14.0 Barcoded (Automation) Eligibility
14.1 Basic Standards
14.1.1 General
All pieces in a Periodicals barcoded (automation) mailing must:
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[Revise item 14.1d to reflect the change in title of 705.14.0 as follows:]
d. Be marked, sorted, and documented as specified in 705.8.0 (if palletized); or 24.0 (for letters) or 25.0 (for flats); or for nonletter-size mail, 705.9.0, 705.10.0, 705.12.0, or 705.13.0; or for flats or bundles prepared under 705.14.0, Combining Bundles of Flats Within FSS Zones.
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Index and Appendices
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Labeling Lists
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L006 5-Digit FSS Scheme—Periodicals, Standard Mail, and Package Services Flats in Bundles
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[Revise the second and sixth sentences of the second introductory paragraph of L006 as follows:]
***Once all the bundles have been prepared, place the bundles on pallets (or equivalent containers) or in sacks (or approved alternate containers).***Bundles of 5-digit FSS scheme mail must be prepared with the Label To information shown in Column B.
[Revise the third introductory paragraph of L006 as follows:]
Bundles which cannot be placed on an individual scheme pallet (or in an individual scheme sack or alternate container) may be combined on an FSS facility pallet (or in an FSS facility sack), identified in Column C. Preparation of the FSS facility pallet (or sack or alternate container) allows all mail receiving FSS processing to be isolated for optimal mail flow.
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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, which is available via Postal Explorer® at http://pe.usps.com.
— Mailing Standards,
Pricing, 1-27-11
