Effective November 4, 2013, the Postal Service™ will revise Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) sections 505 Return Service, 608 Postal Information and Resources, and 705 Advanced Preparation and Special Postage Payment Systems.
Changes to section 505 consolidate instructions provided to customers on how to use returns labels from Merchandise Return Service, USPS Return Services, Parcel Return Service, Parcel Return Service—Full Network, and Bulk Parcel Return Service.
Changes to sections 608 and 705 reflect changes in the organization responsible for managing the Scan Based Payment Returns program.
Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)
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500 Additional Mailing Services
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505 Return Services
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3.0 Merchandise Return Service
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3.5 Preparation
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3.5.6 Instructions
[Revise 3.5.6 to read as follows:]
Written instructions must be provided with the label that, at a minimum, directs the customer to do the following:
a. “If your name and address are not already preprinted in the return address area, print them neatly in that area or attach a return address label there.”
b. “Attach the label squarely onto the largest side of the mailpiece, centered if possible. Place the label so that it does not fold over to another side. Do not place tape over any barcodes on the label or any part of the label where postage and fee information will be recorded.”
c. “Obliterate any other addresses and barcodes on the outside of the parcel.”
d. “Mail the labeled parcel at a Post Office, drop it in a collection box, leave it with your letter carrier, or schedule a package pickup at usps.com.”
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4.0 USPS Return Services
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4.6 Label Requirements
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4.6.1 Label Preparation
[Revise the first and last sentences of 4.6.1 to read as follows:]
Returns labels must be certified by the USPS for use prior to distribution. ***Labels must be prepared in accordance with 708.5.0 and PUB 205, Electronic Verification System (eVS®) Business and Technical Guide. PUB 205 content information can be found at https://ribbs/evs/documents/tech_guides/pubs/Pub205.PDF.
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4.6.3 Label Instructions
[Revise 4.6.3 to read as follows:]
Permit holders or their agents must provide written instructions to the label end-user (mailer), advising them at a minimum as follows:
a. “If your name and address are not already preprinted in the return address area, print them neatly in that area or attach a return address label there.”
b. “Attach the label squarely onto the largest side of the mailpiece, centered if possible. Place the label so that it does not fold over to another side. Do not place tape over any barcodes on the label.”
c. “Obliterate any other addresses and barcodes on the outside of the parcel.”
d. “Mail the labeled parcel at a Post Office, drop it in a collection box, leave it with your letter carrier, or schedule a package pickup at http://usps.com.”
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5.0 Parcel Return Service
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5.1 Basic Information
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5.1.9 Pickup Schedule and Location
[Revise the last sentence of 5.1.9b and 5.1.9c to read as follows:]
b. ***This list is available on the Facility Access and Shipment Tracking system (FAST) at https://fast.usps.gov/fast/.
c. ***This list is available on the Facility Access and Shipment Tracking system (FAST) at https://fast.usps.gov/fast/.
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5.4 Label Formats
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5.4.3. Instructions
[Revise 5.4.3 to read as follows:]
Regardless of label distribution method, permit holders or their agents must always provide written instructions to the user of the PRS label that, at a minimum, direct the user as follows:
a. “If your name and address are not already preprinted in the return address area, print them neatly in that area or attach a return address label there.”
b. “Attach the label squarely onto the largest side of the mailpiece, centered if possible. Place the label so that it does not fold over to another side. Do not place tape over any barcodes on the label.”
c. “Obliterate any other addresses and barcodes on the outside of the parcel.”
d. “Mail the labeled parcel at a Post Office, drop it in a collection box, leave it with your letter carrier, or schedule a package pickup at http://usps.com.”
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6.0 Parcel Return Service — Full Network
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6.5 Label Formats
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6.5.3 Instructions
[Revise 6.5.3 to read as follows:]
Regardless of label distribution method, permit holders or their agents must always provide written instructions to the PRS — Full Network label end-user that, at a minimum, direct them as follows:
a. “If your name and address are not already preprinted in the return address area, print them neatly in that area or attach a return address label there.”
b. “Attach the label squarely onto the largest side of the mailpiece, centered if possible. Place the label so that it does not fold over to another side. Do not place tape over any barcodes on the label.”
c. “Obliterate any other addresses and barcodes on the outside of the parcel.”
d. “Mail the labeled parcel at a Post Office, drop it in a collection box, leave it with your letter carrier, or schedule a package pickup at http://usps.com.”
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7.0 Bulk Parcel Return Service
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7.5 Label Requirements
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7.5.2 Label Instructions
[Revise 7.5.2 to read as follows:]
Written instructions must be provided with the label that, at a minimum, direct the user to do the following:
a. “If your name and address are not already preprinted in the return address area, print them neatly in that area or attach a return address label there.”
b. “Attach the label squarely onto the largest side of the mailpiece, centered if possible. Place the label so that it does not fold over to another side. Do not place tape over any barcodes on the label.”
c. “Obliterate any other addresses and barcodes on the outside of the parcel.”
d. “Mail the labeled parcel at a Post Office, drop it in a collection box, leave it with your letter carrier, or schedule a package pickup at http://usps.com.”
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600 Basic Standards for All Mailing Services
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608 Postal Information and Resources
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8.0 USPS Contact Information
8.1 Postal Service
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[Revise Business Mailer Support address to read as follows:]
Business Mailer Support
US Postal Service
475 L’Enfant Plz SW, Rm 3676
Washington, DC 20260-0911
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[Insert new Mail Entry and Payment Technology address to read as follows:]
Mail Entry and Payment Technology
US Postal Service
475 L’Enfant Plz SW, Rm 3707
Washington, DC 20260-0911
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[Delete New Business Opportunities address as follows:]
New Business Opportunities
US Postal Service
475 L’Enfant Plz SW, Rm 5407
Washington, DC 20260-5407
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700 Special Standards
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705 Advanced Preparation and Special Postage Payment Systems
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25.0 Scan Based Payment
25.1 Basic Information
25.1.1 Description
[Revise the second sentence of 25.1.1 to read as follows:]
***Participation in this program, subject to application and authorization, is available for customers who receive a minimum of 10,000 combined SBP parcel returns to one or more locations.***
25.1.2 Eligibility
[Revise the first sentence of 25.1.2 to read as follows:]
SBP participation may be authorized for applicants who receive a minimum of 10,000 combined qualifying returns per year to one or more locations.***
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25.2 Authorization
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[Delete 25.2.2 Approval and 25.2.3 Denial, renumber the remaining sections and revise new 25.2.2 through 25.3 to read as follows:]
25.2.2 Authorization Period
Authorization remains in effect until the USPS or the customer cancels the agreement. The authorization or agreement may be modified with concurrence by USPS and the mailer.
25.2.3 USPS Suspension
The USPS may suspend an SBP authorization at any time, pending investigation, if the authorization does not provide adequate revenue protection, or the customer (or agent) fails to meet the criteria established by the authorization. The decision to suspend the authorization may be appealed to the vice president, Mail Entry and Payment Technology, within 15 days of the receipt of the notice, by submitting a written appeal with explanation.
25.2.4 Mailer Cancellation
The customer may cancel an SBP authorization by writing to the manager, Business Mailer Support (see 608.8.1). Customers are responsible for payment on all outstanding packages even after cancellation of the SBP agreement.
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25.3 Price Adjustment
[Revise 25.3 to read as follows:]
Each price change will take effect on the 11th of the month. Following a price adjustment, the customer will have ten days to dispute the change in writing to the manager, Business Mailer Support.
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We will incorporate these revisions into the November update of the online DMM, which is available via Postal Explorer® at http://pe.usps.com.
— Product Classification,
Pricing, 10-17-13
