Effective August 6, 2012, the Postal Service™ will revise Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) 503 in various sections to provide standards for Bulk Proof of Delivery. These revisions align DMM standards with the related USPS® guides and certification forms for bulk proof of delivery customer participation. In conjunction with these DMM revisions, Publication 80, Bulk Proof of Delivery Program, will be retired.
During the last 12 years, the Postal Service has offered bulk proof of delivery to customers who purchase applicable extra services that provide a delivery signature, such as electronic return receipt, and who print their own extra services forms or use preprinted mailing labels that include their Mailer ID imbedded into the tracking number. Bulk proof of delivery provides proof of delivery signature data electronically through a signature extract file or a CD-ROM instead of the traditional PS Form 3811, Return Receipt. This service eliminates the need for mailers to request individual delivery records via the Internet, at 800-222-1811, or through a local Post Office™.
Bulk proof of delivery provides mailers with convenient access to electronic signature data, reduces their handling costs, and provides more flexibility for their data storage process.
Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)
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500 Additional Mailing Services
503 Extra Services
1.0 Extra Services for Express Mail
1.1 Available Services
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1.1.2 Proof of Delivery
Proof of delivery information for Express Mail is available as follows:
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[Revise 1.1.2b as follows:]
b. Bulk proof of delivery (7.0) is available only to mailers using Express Mail Manifesting service, and can be obtained in CD-ROM or signature extract file formats.
1.1.3 Return Receipt
[Revise the first sentence of 1.1.3 as follows:]
Return receipt service (Form 3811) under 6.0 may be purchased for Express Mail; electronic return receipt service is available under 1.1.2 and 7.0.***
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2.0 Registered Mail
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2.2 Basic Information About Registered Mail
2.2.1 Description
[Remove the last sentence of 2.2.1 and replace with the following:]
***Customers may obtain a delivery record by purchasing return receipt (6.0) service. Customers purchasing electronic return receipt service at the time of mailing may also receive bulk proof of delivery (7.0).
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2.2.5 Additional Services
[Revise the introductory text of 2.2.5 as follows:]
Purchasing Registered Mail service allows customers to then add restricted delivery service, return receipt service (Form 3811), or electronic return receipt service. Restricted delivery service and electronic return receipt service must be purchased at the time of mailing. Bulk proof of delivery (7.0) is available to mailers purchasing electronic return receipt service. Customers receiving bulk proof of delivery may obtain signature data in CD-ROM or signature extract file formats. The following additional services may be combined with Registered Mail if the applicable standards for the services are met and the additional service fees are paid:***
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3.0 Certified Mail
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3.2 Basic Information
3.2.1 Description
[Remove the last two sentences of 3.2.1and replace with the following:]
***Customers may obtain a delivery record by purchasing return receipt (6.0) service. Customers purchasing electronic return receipt service at the time of mailing may also receive bulk proof of delivery (7.0).
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4.0 Insured Mail
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4.2 Basic Information
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4.2.4 Additional Services
[Revise the introductory text of 4.2.4 as follows:]
Insuring an item for more than $200 allows customers to purchase restricted delivery, a return receipt (PS Form 3811), or an electronic return receipt. Customers purchasing electronic return receipt service at the time of mailing may also receive bulk proof of delivery (7.0). The following additional services may be combined with insurance if the applicable standards for the services are met and additional service fees are paid: ***
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6.0 Return Receipt
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6.2 Basic Information
6.2.1 Description
[Remove the last two sentences of 6.2.1 and replace with the following:]
***Electronic return receipt customers choosing bulk proof of delivery (7.0) may obtain signature data in CD-ROM or signature extract file formats.
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[Renumber current 7.0 through 15.0 as new 8.0 through 16.0.]
[Add new 7.0 as follows:]
7.0 Bulk Proof of Delivery
7.1 Description
Bulk proof of delivery allows mailers to receive proof of delivery signature data electronically. The proof of delivery records are sent through a signature extract file or a CD-ROM. Bulk proof of delivery records are available as follows:
a. For items delivered only in the United States, including Alaska, Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.
b. To participants having the ability to upload electronic files to the USPS, or who use an applicable pre-printed extra service label, which provides for obtaining the recipient’s signature at the time of delivery.
c. To participants who have paid the applicable extra service fee by credit card or by affixing postage to the mailpiece.
d. To participants who have a Mailer ID number, which is obtained through the Business Customer Gateway at https://gateway.usps.com/bcg/login.htm.
e. To a participant, who may choose to have a third-party designee (consolidator, software vendor, etc.) receive its records as provided in Form 5053.
7.2 Eligibility
Mailers who use extra service labels procured from a Postal Service retail location cannot participate in bulk proof of delivery. Bulk proof of delivery is available to mailers who participate in the following mailing programs:
a. Adult Signature Required.
b. Adult Signature Restricted Delivery.
c. Express Mail Manifesting (EMM).
d. Signature Confirmation service, electronic option.
e. Signature Confirmation service, retail option (when mailers print their own mailing labels or use privately printed forms generated on their behalf by a third-party designee).
Bulk proof of delivery is also available to mailers who use privately printed forms and purchase electronic return receipt service at the time of mailing in conjunction with Certified Mail service, Collect on Delivery (COD) service, Insured Mail service for more than $200, or Registered Mail service.
7.3 Certification
To receive bulk proof of delivery, a mailer (or mailer’s designee) must receive the appropriate certification to mail using Confirmation Services, privately print labels or manifest Express Mail, and send and/or receive files as provided in Publication 91 and Publication 199 at https://ribbs.usps.gov/index.cfm?page=intellmailpackage. To receive certification, the following requirements must be met:
a. Mailers must have a Mailer ID number, which is obtained through the Business Customer Gateway at https://gateway.usps.com/bcg/login.htm.
b. Participants must submit a completed Form 5053 and designate whether the mailer or mailer’s designee will receive the records.
c. Participants must submit a completed Form 5054 if credit card payment for records is being requested.
7.4 Prices and Fees
Mailers wishing to receive bulk proof of delivery records must pay the fees for the applicable extra service (7.2) by including the postage affixed to the mailpiece, or by credit card after completing Form 5054.
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9.0 Adult Signature
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9.2 Basic Information
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9.2.5 Confirmation of Delivery
Confirmation of delivery information for Adult Signature is available as follows:
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[Revise renumbered 9.2.5b as follows:]
b. Bulk proof of delivery (7.0) is available to mailers using Adult Signature when the mailer uses privately printed labels. Customers receiving bulk proof of delivery may obtain signature data in CD-ROM or signature extract file formats.
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12.0 Signature Confirmation
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12.2 Basic Information
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12.2.5 Proof of Delivery
Proof of delivery information for Signature Confirmation is available as follows:
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[Revise renumbered 12.2.5b as follows:]
b. Bulk proof of delivery (7.0) is available to mailers using Signature Confirmation service, electronic option, or privately printed extra service labels, as applicable, when the mailer uses privately printed labels. Customers participating in bulk proof of delivery may obtain signature data in CD-ROM or signature extract file formats.
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13.0 Collect on Delivery (COD)
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13.2 Basic Information
13.2.1 Description
[Remove the last two sentences of 13.2.1 and replace with the following:]
***Customers may obtain a delivery record by purchasing return receipt (6.0). Bulk proof of delivery service is available only to mailers purchasing electronic return receipt service at the time of mailing. Customers participating in bulk proof of delivery may obtain signature data in CD-ROM or signature extract file formats.
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We will incorporate these revisions into the next monthly update of the online DMM, which is available via Postal Explorer® at http://pe.usps.com.
— Product Classification,
Pricing, 7-26-12
