Effective November 7, 2011, the Postal Service™ will revise the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) 233.3, 243.3, 333.3, 343.3, 363.4, 433.3, 443.3, and 463.4 to consolidate and centralize Move Update and ZIP Code™ accuracy standards into new sections 602.5.0 and 602.6.0.
This revision represents a repositioning of current standards.
Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)
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200 Commercial Letters and Cards
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230 First-Class Mail
233 Prices and Eligibility
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3.0 Basic Standards for First-Class Mail Letters
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3.5 Move Update Standard
3.5.1 Basic Standards
[Revise text of 3.5.1 to read as follows:]
The Move Update standard requires the periodic matching of a mailer’s address records with customer-filed change-of-address orders maintained by the USPS. For this standard, address is a specific address associated with a specific occupant name. Each address in a mailing at First-Class Mail commercial letter prices must meet the requirements in 602.5.0.
[Delete 3.5.2 and 3.5.3 in their entirety. Contents are being relocated to the new 602.5.0. Renumber current 3.5.4 as new 3.5.2.]
3.6 ZIP Code Accuracy
[Delete the current title of 3.6.1, and revise the text to be under 3.6 as follows:]
The ZIP Code accuracy standard is a means of ensuring that the 5-digit ZIP Code in the delivery address correctly matches the delivery address information. For the purposes of this standard, address means a specific address associated with a specific 5-digit ZIP Code. Each address in a mailing at commercial First-Class Mail letter prices must meet the ZIP Code accuracy requirements in 602.6.0.
[Delete 3.6.2 and 3.6.3 in their entirety. Contents are being relocated to the new 602.6.0.]
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240 Standard Mail
243 Prices and Eligibility
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3.0 Basic Standards for Standard Mail Letters
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3.8 ZIP Code Accuracy
[Delete the current title of 3.8.1, and revise the text to be under 3.8 as follows:]
The ZIP Code accuracy standard is a means of ensuring that the 5-digit ZIP Code in the delivery address correctly matches the delivery address information. For the purposes of this standard, address means a specific address associated with a specific 5-digit ZIP Code. Each address in a mailing at Standard Mail letter prices must meet the ZIP Code accuracy requirements in 602.6.0.
[Delete 3.8.2 and 3.8.3 in their entirety. Contents are being relocated to the new 602.6.0.]
3.9 Move Update Standards
3.9.1 Basic Standards
[Revise text of 3.9.1 to read as follows:]
The Move Update standard requires the periodic matching of a mailer’s address records with customer-filed change-of-address orders maintained by the USPS. For this standard, address is a specific address associated with a specific occupant name. Each address in a mailing at Standard Mail letter prices must meet the requirements in 602.5.0.
[Delete 3.9.2 and 3.9.3 in their entirety. Contents are being relocated to the new 602.5.0. Renumber current 3.9.4 as new 3.9.2.]
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300 Commercial Flats
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330 First-Class Mail
333 Prices and Eligibility
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3.0 Eligibility Standards for First-Class Mail Flats
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3.5 Move Update Standards
3.5.1 Basic Standards
[Revise text of 3.5.1 to read as follows:]
The Move Update standard requires the periodic matching of a mailer’s address records with customer-filed change-of-address orders maintained by the USPS. For this standard, address is a specific address associated with a specific occupant name. Each address in a mailing at commercial First-Class Mail flats prices must meet the requirements in 602.5.0.
[Delete 3.5.2 and 3.5.3 in their entirety. Contents are being relocated to the new 602.5.0 Renumber current 3.5.4 as new 3.5.2.]
3.6 ZIP Code Accuracy
[Delete the current title of 3.6.1, and revise the text to be under 3.6 as follows:]
The ZIP Code accuracy standard is a means of ensuring that the 5-digit ZIP Code in the delivery address correctly matches the delivery address information. For the purposes of this standard, address means a specific address associated with a specific 5-digit ZIP Code. Each address in a mailing at commercial First-Class Mail flats prices must meet the ZIP Code accuracy requirements in 602.6.0.
[Delete 3.6.2 and 3.6.3 in their entirety. Contents are being relocated to the new 602.6.0.]
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340 Standard Mail
343 Prices and Eligibility
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3.0 Basic Standards for Standard Mail Flats
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3.8 ZIP Code Accuracy
[Delete the current title of 3.8.1, and revise the text to be under 3.8 as follows:]
The ZIP Code accuracy standard is a means of ensuring that the 5-digit ZIP Code in the delivery address correctly matches the delivery address information. For the purposes of this standard, address means a specific address associated with a specific 5-digit ZIP Code. Each address in a mailing at Standard Mail flats prices must meet the ZIP Code accuracy requirements in 602.6.0.
[Delete 3.8.2 and 3.8.3 in their entirety. Contents are being relocated to the new 602.6.0.]
3.9 Move Update Standard
3.9.1 Basic Standards
[Revise text of 3.9.1 to read as follows:]
The Move Update standard requires the periodic matching of a mailer’s address records with customer-filed change-of-address orders maintained by the USPS. For this standard, address is a specific address associated with a specific occupant name. Each address in a mailing at Standard Mail flats prices must meet the requirements in 602.5.0.
[Delete 3.9.2 and 3.9.3 in their entirety. Contents are being relocated to the new 602.5.0.
[Renumber current 3.9.4 as new 3.9.2.]
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360 Bound Printed Matter
363 Prices and Eligibility
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4.0 Price Eligibility for Bound Printed Matter Flats
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4.3 ZIP Code Accuracy
[Delete the current title of 4.3.1, and revise the text to be under 4.3 as follows:]
The ZIP Code accuracy standard is a means of ensuring that the 5-digit ZIP Code in the delivery address correctly matches the delivery address information. For the purposes of this standard, address means a specific address associated with a specific 5-digit ZIP Code. Each address in a mailing at Bound Printed Matter presorted or carrier route prices must meet the ZIP Code accuracy requirements in 602.6.0.
[Delete 4.3.2 and 4.3.3 in their entirety. Contents are being relocated to the new 602.6.0.]
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400 Commercial Parcels
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430 First-Class Mail
433 Prices and Eligibility
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3.0 Basic Standards for First-Class Package Service Parcels
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3.4 Move Update Standard
3.4.1 Basic Standards
[Revise text of 3.4.1 to read as follows:]
The Move Update standard requires the periodic matching of a mailer’s address records with customer-filed change-of-address orders maintained by the USPS. For this standard, address is a specific address associated with a specific occupant name. Each address in a mailing at commercial First-Class Package Service parcel presorted prices must meet the requirements in 602.5.0.
[Delete 3.4.2 and 3.4.3 in their entirety. Contents are being relocated to the new 602.5.0. Renumber current 3.4.4 as new 3.4.2.]
3.5 ZIP Code Accuracy
[Delete the current title of 3.5.1, and revise the text to be under 3.5 as follows:]
The ZIP Code accuracy standard is a means of ensuring that the 5-digit ZIP Code in the delivery address correctly matches the delivery address information. For the purposes of this standard, address means a specific address associated with a specific 5-digit ZIP Code. Each address in a mailing at commercial First-Class Package Service presorted parcel prices must meet the ZIP Code accuracy requirements in 602.6.0.
[Delete 3.5.2 and 3.5.3 in their entirety .Contents are being relocated to the new 602.6.0.]
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440 Standard Mail
443 Prices and Eligibility
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3.0 Basic Standards for Standard Mail Parcels
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3.8 ZIP Code Accuracy
[Delete the current title of 3.8.1, and revise the text to be under 3.8 as follows:]
The ZIP Code accuracy standard is a means of ensuring that the 5-digit ZIP Code in the delivery address correctly matches the delivery address information. For the purposes of this standard, address means a specific address associated with a specific 5-digit ZIP Code. Each address in a mailing at any Standard Mail parcel prices must meet the ZIP Code accuracy requirements in 602.6.0.
[Delete 3.8.2 and 3.8.3 in their entirety. Contents are being relocated to the new 602.6.0.]
3.9 Move Update Standards
3.9.1 Basic Standards
[Revise text of 3.9.1 to read as follows:]
The Move Update standard requires the periodic matching of a mailer’s address records with customer-filed change-of-address orders maintained by the USPS. For this standard, address is a specific address associated with a specific occupant name. Each address in a mailing at any Standard Mail parcel prices must meet the requirements in 602.5.0.
[Delete 3.9.2 and 3.9.3 in their entirety. Contents are being relocated to the new 602.5.0.Renumber current 3.9.4 as new 3.9.2.]
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460 Bound Printed Matter
463 Prices and Eligibility
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4.0 Price Eligibility for Bound Printed Matter Parcels
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4.3 ZIP Code Accuracy
[Delete the current title of 4.3.1, and revise the text to be under 4.3 as follows:]
The ZIP Code accuracy standard is a means of ensuring that the 5-digit ZIP Code in the delivery address correctly matches the delivery address information. For the purposes of this standard, address means a specific address associated with a specific 5-digit ZIP Code. Each address in a mailing at Bound Printed Matter presorted or carrier route prices must meet the ZIP Code accuracy requirements in 602.6.0.
[Delete 4.3.2 and 4.3.3 in their entirety. Contents are being relocated to the new 602.6.0.]
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600 Basic Standards for All Mailing Services
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602 Addressing
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[Add new part 5.0 as follows:]
5.0 Move Update Standards
5.1 Basic Standards
The Move Update standard requires the periodic matching of a mailer’s address records with customer-filed change-of-address orders maintained by the USPS. Each address, except for mail bearing an alternative address format (under 602.3.0), in a mailing at commercial First-Class Mail presorted or automation prices, First-Class Package Service presorted parcel prices, or Standard Mail prices is subject to the Move Update standard and must meet these requirements:
a. Each address and associated addressee used on the mailpieces in a mailing must be updated within 95 days before the mailing date, with one of the USPS-approved methods in 5.2.
b. The Move Update standard is met when an address used on a mailpiece in a mailing at any class of mail is updated under 5.2, and the same address is used in a First-Class Mail, First-Class Package Service, or Standard Mail mailing within 95 days after the address has been updated.
5.2 USPS-Approved Methods
The following methods are authorized for meeting the Move Update standard:
a. Address Change Service (ACS).
b. National Change of Address Linkage System (NCOALink).
c. FASTforward MLOCR processes, for letters only, if used each time before mail entry. If a mailpiece that initially uses FASTforward MLOCR processing is rejected and then entered into a Direct View Encoding Desk (DVED) operation (or similar system), the piece does not meet the Move Update standard. The name and address information on the piece must then be processed through a FASTforward RVE system to meet the Move Update standard. FASTforward RVE processes also meet the Move Update standard if used each time before mail entry.
d. Applicable ancillary service endorsements under 507.1.5.1 or 507.1.5.3, except “Forwarding Service Requested.”
e. For First-Class Mail, and First-Class Package Service only: Mailer Move Update Process Certification and USPS-approved alternative methods for mailers with legitimate restrictions on incorporating USPS-supplied change-of-address information into their mailing lists. The National Customer Support Center (see 608.8.1 for address) administers and approves both Mailer Move Update Process Certification and alternative methods.
5.3 Mailer Certification
The mailer’s signature on the postage statement certifies that the Move Update standard has been met for each address in the corresponding mailing presented to the USPS.
[Add new part 6.0 as follows:]
6.0 ZIP Code Accuracy Standards
6.1 Basic Standards
Except for mail bearing a simplified address, addresses used on pieces in a mailing at commercial First-Class Mail, First-Class Package Service presorted parcel, Standard Mail, and Bound Printed Matter presorted and carrier route prices are subject to the ZIP Code accuracy standard and must meet these requirements:
a. Each address and associated 5-digit ZIP Code on the mailpieces in a mailing must be verified and corrected within 12 months before the mailing date with one of the USPS-approved methods in 6.2.
b. If an address used on a mailpiece in a mailing at one class of mail and price is verified and corrected with an approved method, the same address may be used during the following 12 months to meet the ZIP Code accuracy standard required for mailing at any other class of mail and price.
6.2 USPS-Approved Methods
The following methods meet the ZIP Code accuracy standard:
a. For computerized lists, Coding Accuracy Support System (CASS)-certified address matching software and current USPS City State Product, within a mailer’s computer systems or through an authorized service provider.
b. For manually maintained lists or small computerized lists, options include the following:
1. Surveys of addressees on mailer’s address list inquiring about the accuracy of ZIP Code information.
2. Any mailing list service in 507.7.0.
3. An authorized service provider.
4. CASS-certified matching software.
5. USPS Web site www.usps.com.
6.3 Mailer Certification
The mailer’s signature on the postage statement certifies that the ZIP Code accuracy standard has been met for each address in the corresponding mailing presented to the USPS.
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We will incorporate this revision into the next monthly update of the online DMM, which is available via Postal Explorer® at http://pe.usps.com.
— Product Classification,
Pricing, 10-6-11
