Effective March 5, 2012, the Postal Service™ will revise Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) 507.1, 507.2, and 507.4 to clarify the use of ancillary service endorsements for Shipper Paid Forwarding, the Parcel Select Additional Service fee, and the use of PS Form 3546, Forwarding Order Change Notice.
On November 18, 2010, the Postal Service published a DMM revision in Postal Bulletin 22298 to provide the new endorsement option “Change Service Requested” for mailers using Shipper Paid Forwarding (SPF) for Standard Mail®, Package Services, or Parcel Select® parcels. This revision clarifies the use of Shipper Paid Forwarding service in conjunction with one of the two applicable ancillary service endorsements.
This revision also clarifies that the Parcel Select additional service fee applies to customers using Shipper Paid Forwarding Service, and that PS Form 3546 has been revised to discontinue the option for customers who do not wish to pay for forwarding outside of the local area to request that parcels not be forwarded. Additional changes are made to simplify the DMM, without making any substantive changes.
It is the Postal Service’s recommendation that customers avoid requesting both a forwarding and a return service, such as Shipper Paid Forwarding and Bulk Parcel Return Service (BPRS) on the same mailpiece, to avoid conflicting information during handling.
Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)
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500 Additional Mailing Services
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507 Mailer Services
1.0 Treatment of Mail
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1.5 Treatment for Ancillary Services by Class of Mail
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1.5.2 Periodicals
Undeliverable-as-addressed (UAA) Periodicals publications (including publications pending Periodicals authorization) are treated as described in Exhibit 1.5.2, with these additional conditions:
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[Delete current item 1.5.2c in its entirety and redesignate current items d through g as new items c through f.]
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[Revise redesignated item 1.5.2d as follows:]
d. Address correction service is provided for the first issue after 60 days for all publications, unless copies are to be returned at the publisher’s request. ACS participants may receive the change notice before day 60, if so requested. Copies received after the address correction notice is mailed are disposed of by the USPS. When copies of the publication cannot be forwarded, the address correction notice is prepared for the first undeliverable issue of the publication received.
[Revise redesignated item 1.5.2e as follows:]
e. The publisher may request the return of copies of undelivered Periodicals by printing the endorsement “Address Service Requested” on the envelopes or wrappers, or on one of the outside covers of unwrapped copies, immediately preceded by the sender’s name, address, and ZIP Code. This endorsement obligates the publisher to pay return postage. Each returned piece is charged the single-piece First-Class Mail price for the weight and shape of the piece, and the letter-size nonmachinable surcharge, if applicable, or the Priority Mail price for the weight and destination of the piece. When the address correction is provided incidental to the return of the piece, there is no charge for the correction.
[Revise redesignated item 1.5.2f as follows:]
f. A publisher may request a refund of the fees paid for duplicate address correction notices on Forms 3579 provided by the USPS if the customer submitted a change-of-address order and the first and duplicate notices are provided on magnetic tape by ACS or on printed copy by a Computerized Forwarding System (CFS) unit. The refund request must be supported by documentation showing the number of duplicate notices received. The USPS does not process refunds for duplicate notices if the original and duplicate notices are not provided both by ACS or both by CFS.
Exhibit 1.5.2 Treatment of Undeliverable Periodicals
[Revise Exhibit 1.5.2 under the MAILER ENDORSEMENTS and USPS TREATMENT OF UAA PIECES columns by deleting the Forwarding Service Requested, Return Service Requested, and Change Service Requested rows in their entirety.]
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1.5.3 Standard Mail and Parcel Select Lightweight
[Revise the introductory text of 1.5.3 as follows:]
Undeliverable-as-addressed (UAA) Standard Mail and Parcel Select Lightweight pieces are treated as described in Exhibit 1.5.3, with these additional conditions:
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[Relocate the entire current Exhibit 1.5.3a table to after the last item 1.5.3k.]
[Revise item 1.5.3b as follows:]
b. The exceptional address format under 602.3.0 may not be used on mail with any ancillary service endorsement or mail with any extra service (except as allowed for Marketing parcels with Delivery Confirmation service).
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[Delete current item 1.5.3e in its entirety, redesignate 1.5.3f through i as new 1.5.3e through h, and revise redesignated 1.5.3e as follows:]
e. If a Standard Mail or Parcel Select Lightweight piece including any attachment to that piece is not opened by the addressee and the piece is endorsed “Address Service Requested,” “Forwarding Service Requested,” or “Return Service Requested,” the addressee may refuse delivery of the piece and have it returned to the sender without affixing postage. If a Standard Mail or Parcel Select Lightweight piece, or any attachment to that piece, is opened by the addressee, the addressee must affix the required postage to return the piece to the sender, except for Bulk Parcel Return Service (BPRS) pieces under 505.6.3.1.
[Revise redesignated 1.5.3f as follows:]
f. Standard Mail and Parcel Select Lightweight pieces with bulk insurance or return receipt for merchandise must be endorsed “Address Service Requested,” “Forwarding Service Requested,” or “Return Service Requested.” Standard Mail and Parcel Select Lightweight pieces, except for Marketing parcels, with Delivery Confirmation must be endorsed “Address Service Requested,” “Forwarding Service Requested,” “Return Service Requested,” or “Change Service Requested.”
[Revise redesignated item 1.5.3g as follows:]
g. When a large volume of identical-weight pieces originates from a single mailer and is endorsed “Return Service Requested,” the USPS may weigh a sample of at least 25 pieces and divide that weight by the number of pieces to determine the weight of a single piece. After the per-piece weight is determined, all the pieces are weighed in bulk and divided by the per-piece weight to determine the total number of pieces. Calculate the return postage using these numbers.
[Delete redesignated 1.5.3h in its entirety, redesignate 1.5.3j through l as new 1.5.3h through j, and revise redesignated items 1.5.3h through i as follows:]
h. A returned piece endorsed “Return Service Requested” is charged the applicable single-piece First-Class Mail price for the weight and shape of the piece, and the nonmachinable surcharge if applicable, or the Priority Mail price for the weight and destination of the piece.
i. Mail sent as BPRS under 505.6.0 is returned at the BPRS per piece fee if the endorsement includes “— BPRS” as shown in Exhibit 1.5.3.
[Renumber the reference number of the relocated table (from 1.5.3a) as follows:]
Exhibit 1.5.3 Treatment of Undeliverable Standard Mail and Parcel Select Lightweight
[Replace the text for each of the rows under Mailer Endorsement and USPS Treatment of UAA Pieces as follows:]
MAILER ENDORSEMENT
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USPS TREATMENT OF UAA PIECES
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No Endorsement1
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In all cases:
Piece disposed of by USPS.
Restrictions:
Standard Mail containing hazardous materials must bear a permissible endorsement (see 507.1.5.3c)
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“Electronic Service Requested”
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In all cases:
Mailpiece is directed to a Computerized Forwarding System (CFS) or Postal Automated Redirection System (PARS) site for processing. “Address Service Requested” and “Change Service Requested” handling instructions are required to be predefined within the ACS mailer profile data. OneCode ACS mailers are also required to insert this service request through a valid service type code in an Intelligent Mail barcode. The service type code in the Intelligent Mail barcode will take precedence over the instructions in the mailer account profile.
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“Address Service Requested”
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(Does not include Shipper Paid Forwarding or BPRS participants)
If no change-of-address order on file:
Piece returned with reason for nondelivery attached (only weighted fee2 charged).
If change-of-address order on file:
n Months 1 through 12: Piece forwarded (no charge); separate notice of new address provided (address correction fee charged).
n Months 13 through 18: Piece returned with new address attached (only weighted fee2 charged).
n After month 18: Piece returned with reason for nondelivery attached (only weighted fee2 charged).
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“Address Service Requested”
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(Shipper Paid Forwarding participants via ACS only; parcels only)
If no change-of-address order on file:
Parcel returned with reason for nondelivery attached; (electronic ACS fee and First-Class Mail or Priority Mail single-piece postage, applicable for the weight of the parcel, is charged to the mailer).
If change-of-address order on file:
n Months 1 through 12: Parcel forwarded (no charge to addressee); separate notice of new address provided (electronic ACS fee and First-Class Mail or Priority Mail single-piece forwarding postage, applicable for the weight of the parcel, is charged to the mailer).
n Months 13 through 18: Parcel returned with new address attached (First-Class Mail or Priority Mail postage charged).
n After month 18: Parcel returned with reason for nondelivery attached (First-Class Mail or Priority Mail postage charged).
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“Address Service Requested— BPRS”
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(BPRS participants only)
If no change-of-address order on file:
Piece returned with reason for nondelivery attached (only Bulk Parcel Return Service fee charged).
If change-of-address order on file:
n Months 1 through 12: piece forwarded (no charge to addressee); separate ACS notice of new address provided (ACS address correction fee and forwarding postage charged at First-Class Mail single-piece price or Priority Mail single-piece price, as appropriate for weight of piece, via mailer’s ACS participant code).
n Months 13 through 18: piece returned with new address attached (only Bulk Parcel Return Service fee charged).
n After month 18: piece returned with reason for nondelivery attached (only Bulk Parcel Return Service fee charged).
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“Forwarding Service Requested”3
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If no change-of-address order on file:
Piece returned with reason for nondelivery attached (only weighted fee2 charged).
If change-of-address order on file:
n Months 1 through 12: Piece forwarded (no charge).
n Months 13 through 18: Piece returned with new address attached (only weighted fee2 charged).
n After month 18: Piece returned with reason for nondelivery attached (only weighted fee2 charged).
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“Return Service Requested”
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(Except for BPRS participants)
In all cases:
Piece returned with new address or reason for nondelivery attached (in either case, only return postage is charged at First-Class Mail or Priority Mail single-piece price, as appropriate for weight of piece).
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“Return Service Requested— BPRS”
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(For BPRS participants only)
In all cases:
Piece returned with new address or reason for nondelivery attached (in either case, only Bulk Parcel Return Service fee charged).
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“Change Service Requested” 1, 4
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(Except for Shipper Paid Forwarding participants)
If no change-of-address order on file, or if change-of-address order is on file:
Notice of new address or reason for nondelivery provided (address correction fee charged); piece disposed of by USPS.
Restrictions:
The following restrictions apply:
(1) Delivery Confirmation is the only extra service permitted with this endorsement.
(2) This endorsement is not permitted for Standard Mail containing hazardous materials.
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“Change Service Requested”
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(Shipper Paid Forwarding participants via ACS only; parcels only)
If no change-of-address order on file:
Notice of new address or reason for nondelivery provided to mailer and electronic ACS fee charged to mailer; parcel disposed of by USPS.
If change-of-address order on file:
n Months 1 through 12: Parcel forwarded (no charge to addressee); separate notice of new address provided (electronic ACS fee and First-Class Mail or Priority Mail single-piece forwarding postage, applicable for the weight of the piece, is charged to the mailer).
n Months 13 through 18: Parcel disposed of by USPS; separate notice of new address provided (electronic ACS fee charged to the mailer).
n After month 18: Parcel disposed of by USPS; separate notice of reason for nondelivery provided (electronic ACS fee charged to the mailer).
Restrictions:
The following restrictions apply:
(1) Delivery Confirmation is the only extra service permitted with this endorsement.
(2) This endorsement is not permitted for Standard Mail containing hazardous materials.
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1. Not valid for pieces containing hazardous materials.
2. The weighted (per piece) fee is the First-Class Mail or Priority Mail single-piece price and any nonmachinable surcharge (see 123.1.0 or 133.1.0), multiplied by 2.472; rounding any fractions to the next whole cent.
3. Does not meet the Move Update requirement.
4. Not valid for pieces containing hazardous materials. Valid for all other pieces, including ACS participating pieces.
[Delete Exhibit 1.5.3k, Treatment of Undeliverable BPRS Standard Mail, in its entirety.]
1.5.4 Package Services and Parcel Select
Undeliverable-as-addressed (UAA) Package Services and Parcel Select mailpieces are treated as described in Exhibit 1.5.4, with these additional conditions:
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[Revise item 1.5.4b as follows:]
b. The exceptional address format under 602.3.0 may not be used on mail with any ancillary service endorsement or mail with any extra service. Forwarding service is not provided for such mail. Undeliverable Parcel Post, Parcel Select, Media Mail, and Library Mail with this address format are returned with the reason for nondelivery attached only if the address is incorrect or incomplete, or the mail is undeliverable for another address-related reason. Undeliverable Bound Printed Matter with this address format is disposed of by the USPS.
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[Revise item 1.5.4d as follows:]
d. If a Package Services (except for unendorsed Bound Printed Matter) or Parcel Select mailpiece and any attachment are not opened by the addressee, the addressee may refuse delivery of the piece and have it returned to the sender without affixing postage. Pieces endorsed “Change Service Requested” are not returned to sender. If a Package Services or Parcel Select piece or any attachment to that piece is opened by the addressee, the addressee must affix the applicable postage to return the piece to the sender.
[Revise item 1.5.4e as follows:]
e. An undeliverable Package Services (except for unendorsed Bound Printed Matter) or a Parcel Select mailpiece that bears postage with a postage evidencing imprint and that has an illegible (or no) return address is returned to the meter licensee or PC Postage customer upon payment of the return postage. The reason for nondelivery is attached, with no address correction fee. All Package Services (except unendorsed Bound Printed Matter) and Parcel Select pieces must have a legible return address.
[Revise item 1.5.4f as follows:]
f. Bound Printed Matter with no ancillary service endorsement and with an extra service other than Delivery Confirmation or Signature Confirmation service is treated as though endorsed “Forwarding Service Requested.”
[Revise 1.5.4g as follows:]
g. See 1.5.3 for instructions for undeliverable Parcel Select Lightweight pieces.
Exhibit 1.5.4 Treatment of Undeliverable Standard Mail and Parcel Select Lightweight
[Replace all the text for each of the rows under Mailer Endorsement and USPS Treatment of UAA Pieces as follows:]
1. Valid for all pieces, including Address Change Service (ACS) participating pieces.
2. Does not meet the Move Update Requirement.
3. Not valid for pieces containing hazardous materials. Valid for all other pieces, including ACS participating pieces.
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2.0 Forwarding
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2.3 Postage for Forwarding
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2.3.5 Standard Mail and Parcel Select Lightweight
(Revise the second sentence of 2.3.5 as follows:)
***Shipper Paid Forwarding, under provisions 4.2.9, provides mailers of Standard Mail and Parcel Select Lightweight parcels an option of paying forwarding postage on those parcels, or return postage if undeliverable, at the applicable single-piece First-Class Mail or Priority Mail price, instead of the addressee paying postage due charges.***
2.3.6 Package Services and Parcel Select
[Revise the fourth sentence of 2.3.6 as follows:]
***Shipper Paid Forwarding, under provisions in 4.2.9, provides mailers of Package Services and Parcel Select parcels an option of paying forwarding postage on those parcels, or return postage if undeliverable, instead of the addressee paying postage due charges.
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4.0 Address Correction Services
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4.2 Address Change Service (ACS)
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4.2.9 Shipper Paid Forwarding
(Revise 4.2.9 as follows:)
Shipper Paid Forwarding is an ACS fulfillment vehicle that allows mailers of Standard Mail, Package Services, and Parcel Select (including Parcel Select Lightweight) parcels to pay forwarding charges via approved ACS participant code(s) when used with “Address Service Requested” or “Change Service Requested” endorsements. For information about Shipper Paid Forwarding, contact the National Customer Support Center (see 608.8.0 for address). Mailers choosing to pay forwarding charges through a postage due advance deposit account must pay an annual account maintenance fee.
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We will incorporate these revisions into the next update of the online DMM, which is available via Postal Explorer® at http://pe.usps.com.
— Product Classification,
Pricing, 2-9-12
