Effective February 24, 2011, we will revise Handbook M-41, City Delivery Carriers Duties and Responsibilities, section 322.3, to standardize the language and procedures for the Carrier Release Program. The changes authorize delivery personnel to leave parcels in unsecured locations when the parcel bears the “Carrier — Leave If No Response” endorsement.
Handbook M-41, City Delivery Carriers Duties and Responsibilities
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3 On Route
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32 Delivery of Ordinary Mail Matter
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322 Motorized Routes (See Also Chapter 8)
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322.3 Parcel Post
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322.311 When the Carrier Is Authorized to Leave Parcels
[Revise items a and c as follows:]
a. Uninsured parcels or parcels that do not require a signature may be left in an unprotected location such as a stairway or uncovered porch when the mailer participates in the Carrier Release Program by endorsing the parcel “Carrier — Leave If No Response” or the addressee has given written directions for an alternate delivery location. PS Form 3849, Delivery Notice/Reminder/Receipt, with the “It Is Located:________” block completed, must be left in the mail receptacle notifying the addressee of the mail left in the authorized alternate location.
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c. Mailers who participate in the Carrier Release Program understand that there are unsecured areas where the Postal Service will leave parcels and also that carriers will leave packages without protection from inclement weather.
[Revise title to read as follows:]
322.312 When the Carrier Is Not Authorized to Leave Parcels
[Revise text to read as follows:]
a. When someone is usually available to receive parcels. When an uninsured parcel, a parcel not requiring a signature, or a parcel that is not part of the Carrier Release Program is not delivered on the first attempt and the carrier knows that someone at the address is usually available to receive parcels, do not leave PS Form 3849, Delivery Notice/Reminder/Receipt. Write the date and the carrier’s initials and route number near the address and return the parcel to the office. Place the parcel in the gurney at the carrier’s case. Attempt a second delivery on the next delivery day. If the parcel is not delivered after the second attempt, complete and leave PS Form 3849. Legibly endorse the form with the following information:
(1) Article number (if applicable).
(2) Date.
(3) Sender’s name.
(4) Type of mail.
(5) Article requiring signature at time of delivery (if applicable).
(6) Addressee’s name and address.
(7) Amount due (if applicable).
(8) Date and time customer can pick up article at Post Office.
b. When someone is not usually available to receive parcels. If no one is available to receive the parcel, the carrier knows that someone at the address is not usually available to receive parcels, or the parcel is insured, requires a signature, or is not part of the Carrier Release Program, complete and leave PS Form 3849 (see Exhibit 322.312) after the first attempt. When the carrier does not know if someone is usually available to receive parcels, PS Form 3849 should be left after the first attempt if the parcel is insured, requires a signature, or is not part of the Carrier Release Program. Endorse the parcel near the address, showing the reason for nondelivery, e.g., “No Response”, date delivery was attempted, and the carrier’s initials and route number. Upon returning to the office, deposit the parcel in the designated place for undelivered parcels.
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We will incorporate this revision into the next printed version of Handbook M-41 and into the online update available on the Postal Service™ PolicyNet website:
n Go to http://blue.usps.gov.
n Under “Essential Links” in the left-hand column, click PolicyNet.
n On the PolicyNet page, click HBKs.
(The direct URL for the Postal Service PolicyNet website is http://blue.usps.gov/cpim.)
— Outbound Parcels,
Domestic Products, 2-24-11
