Effective January 26, 2014, the Postal Service™ will revise Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®), throughout various sections to modify eligibility requirements for mailers to qualify for automation prices. The use of “full-service” Intelligent Mail® is required to qualify for automation prices for postcards (First-Class Mail® only), letters, and flats when mailed using the following services: First-Class Mail, Standard Mail® and Periodicals, and flats mailed at Bound Printed Matter prices.
Additionally, the 10/24 transitional barcoded tray label format is eliminated, and mailers are required to use the 24-digit Intelligent Mail barcode (IMb™) format on tray, tub, and sack labels.
For questions regarding full-service requirements, contact the Postal Service by email at fullservice@usps.gov or call the PostalOne!® Help Desk at 800-522-9085. Intricate details regarding this notice are available at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-04-18/html/2013-08721.htm.
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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5.0 Additional Eligibility Standards for Automation First-Class Mail Letters
5.1 Basic Standards for Automation First-Class Mail Letters
[Revise the introductory text of 5.1 to read as follows:]
All pieces in a First-Class Mail automation mailing must meet full-service standards in 705.24.0 and:***
[Revise item 5.1e to read as follows:]
e. Bear an accurate unique Intelligent Mail barcode encoded with the correct delivery point routing code, matching the delivery address and meeting the standards in 202.5.0 and 708.4.0, whether on the piece or on an insert showing through an envelope window.
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[Delete current 5.2 in its entirety and renumber current 5.3 through 5.5 as new 5.2 through 5.4.]
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240 Standard Mail
243 Prices and Eligibility
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6.0 Additional Eligibility Standards for Enhanced Carrier Route Standard Mail Letters
6.1 General Enhanced Carrier Route Standards
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6.1.2 Basic Eligibility Standards
All pieces in an Enhanced Carrier Route or Nonprofit Enhanced Carrier Route Standard Mail mailing must:
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[Revise item 6.1.2g to read as follows:]
g. Meet the requirements for automation letters in 201.3.0 and bear an accurate unique Intelligent Mail barcode encoded with the correct delivery point routing code matching the delivery address, and meet the standards in 202.5.0 and 708.4.0, except for letters with simplified addresses or as provided in 6.1.2h. Letters mailed at automation carrier route (basic, high density, or saturation) prices must be in a mailing entered under full-service Intelligent Mail standards in 705.24.0. Pieces prepared with a simplified address format are exempt from the full-service, automation-compatibility, and barcode requirements.
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6.4 High Density and High-Density Plus (Enhanced Carrier Route) Standards
6.4.1 Additional Eligibility Standards for High Density and High-Density Plus Prices
[Revise the text of 6.4.1 to read as follows:]
In addition to the eligibility standards in 6.1, high density and high-density plus letter-size mailpieces must be in a full carrier route tray or in a carrier route bundle of 10 or more pieces prepared under 245.6.0. Except for pieces with a simplified address, only nonautomation high density and high-density plus letter prices apply when mailpieces are not: correctly barcoded with an Intelligent Mail barcode under 202.5.0 and 708.4.0, automation-compatible, and part of a full-service mailing under 705.24.0.
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6.5 Saturation ECR Standards
6.5.1 Additional Eligibility Standards for Saturation Prices
[Revise the text of 6.5.1 to read as follows:]
In addition to the eligibility standards in 6.1, saturation letter-size mailpieces must be in a full carrier route tray or in a carrier route bundle of 10 or more pieces prepared under 245.6.0. Except for pieces with a simplified address, only nonautomation saturation letter prices apply when mailpieces are not: correctly barcoded with an Intelligent Mail barcode under 202.5.0 and 708.4.0, automation-compatible, and part of a full-service mailing under 705.24.0.
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7.0 Eligibility Standards for Automation Standard Mail
7.1 Basic Eligibility Standards for Automation Standard Mail
[Revise the introductory text of 7.1 to read as follows:]
All pieces in a Regular Standard Mail or Nonprofit Standard Mail automation mailing must meet full-service standards in 705.24.0 and:
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[Revise item 7.1e to read as follows:]
e. Bear an accurate unique Intelligent Mail barcode encoded with the correct delivery point routing code, matching the delivery address and meeting the standards in 202.5.0 and 708.4.0, either on the piece or on an insert showing through an envelope window.
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[Delete current 7.2 in its entirety and renumber current 7.3 through 7.6 as new 7.2 through 7.5.]
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300 Commercial Flats
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330 First-Class Mail
333 Prices and Eligibility
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5.0 Additional Eligibility Standards for Automation First-Class Mail Flats
5.1 Basic Standards for Automation First-Class Mail
[Revise the introductory text of 5.1 to read as follows:]
All pieces in a First-Class Mail automation flats mailing must meet full-service standards in 705.24.0 and:
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[Revise item 5.1e to read as follows:]
e. Bear an accurate unique Intelligent Mail barcode encoded with the correct delivery point routing code, matching the delivery address and meeting the standards in 302.5.0 and 708.4.0, either on the piece or on an insert showing through an envelope window.
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[Delete current 5.2 in its entirety and renumber current 5.3 through 5.5 as new 5.2 through 5.4.]
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340 Standard Mail
343 Prices and Eligibility
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7.0 Additional Eligibility Standards for Automation Standard Mail Flats
7.1 Basic Eligibility Standards for Automation Standard Mail
[Revise the introductory text of 7.1 to read as follows:]
All pieces in a Regular Standard Mail or Nonprofit Standard Mail automation mailing must meet full-service standards in 705.24.0 and:
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[Revise item 7.1e to read as follows:]
e. Bear an accurate unique Intelligent Mail barcode encoded with the correct delivery point routing code, matching the delivery address and meeting the standards in 302.5.0 and 708.4.0, either on the piece or on an insert showing through an envelope window.
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[Delete current 7.2 in its entirety and renumber current 7.3 through 7.4 as new 7.2 through 7.3.]
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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
4.1 Price Eligibility
***Price categories are as follows:
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[Revise item 4.1d to read as follows:]
d. Barcoded Discount — Flats. The barcoded discount applies to BPM flats that meet the requirements for automation flats in 301.3.0, bear an accurate unique Intelligent Mail barcode encoded with the correct delivery point routing code, and are part of a full-service mailing under 705.24.0. See 6.1 for more information.
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6.0 Additional Eligibility Standards for Barcoded Bound Printed Matter Flats
6.1 Basic Eligibility Standards for Barcoded Bound Printed Matter
[Revise the text of 6.1 to read as follows:]
The barcode discount applies only to BPM flat-size pieces meeting the standards under 301.3.0 and bearing a unique Intelligent Mail barcode encoded with the correct delivery point routing code, matching the delivery address, and meeting the standards in 302.5.0 and 708.4.0. The pieces must be part of a full-service (under 705.24.0) nonpresorted mailing of 50 or more flat-size pieces or part of a full-service Presorted mailing of at least 300 BPM flats prepared under 365.7.0, 705.8.0, 705.14.0, and 705.24.0. The barcode discount is not available for flats mailed at Presorted DDU prices or carrier route prices.
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[Delete current 6.2 in its entirety and renumber current 6.3 through 6.4 as new 6.2 through 6.3.]
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500 Additional Mailing Services
503 Extra Services
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[Revise the title of 14.0 to read as follows:]
14.0 Intelligent Mail Barcode Tracing
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14.1 Basic Information
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14.1.1 General Information
[Revise the text of 14.1.1 to read as follows:]
Participation in Intelligent Mail barcode (IMb) Tracing service is available at no charge without a subscription. Requirements for participation in IMb Tracing include:
n Use of an IMb on mailpieces entered as part of a full-service mailing under 705.24.0.
n Use of a Mailer Identifier that has been registered (through the Business Customer Gateway, accessible on http://usps.com) to receive scan data.
n Verification by the Postal Service that the IMb as printed meets all applicable postal standards.
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700 Special Standards
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705 Advanced Preparation and Special Postage Payment Systems
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[Revise the title of 24.0 to read as follows:]
24.0 Full-Service Automation Standards
24.1 Description
[Add three new sentences at the end of the current text of 24.1 to read as follows:]
***Full-service automation mailings may include automation-compatible pieces without barcodes, with POSTNET barcodes, or with non-full-service Intelligent Mail barcodes, but these pieces will not be used to meet the eligibility standards for full-service or receive associated benefits. Full-service automation letters must not be comingled in the same tray with pieces without barcodes, pieces with POSTNET barcodes, or pieces with an IMb without a delivery point barcode. Full-service automation mailpieces may be comingled in a tray with non-full-service eligible pieces (automation-compatible under 201.3.0) with an IMb containing a delivery point barcode.
[Delete current 24.1.1 and 24.1.2 in their entirety.]
24.2 General Eligibility Standards
[Revise the introductory paragraph of 24.2 to read as follows:]
First-Class Mail, Periodicals, and Standard Mail letters and flats meeting eligibility requirements for automation or carrier route prices (except for Standard Mail ECR saturation flats), and Bound Printed Matter flats (except for Presorted DDU-entered and carrier route flats) are potentially eligible for full-service prices. All pieces entered under full-service pricing must:
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[Revise item 24.2c to read as follows:]
c. Be part of a mailing using unique Intelligent Mail container barcodes on all destination-entry pallets and other containers optionally or required to be prepared under 8.0 or as part of a customer/supplier agreement. Pallets or approved alternate containers with unique Intelligent Mail container barcodes must also be used whenever a mailing is entered at the dock of a USPS-processing facility and meets minimum container/pallet volume requirements under 705.8.0. A customer/supplier agreement is authorized with a service agreement signed by the mailer, the USPS District Manager, Customer Service, and the USPS Processing and Distribution Center manager. The service agreement contains provisions regarding mailer and USPS responsibilities.
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24.4 Preparation
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24.4.2 Intelligent Mail Tray Labels
[Revise the second sentence of 24.4.2 to read as follows:]
Mailing documentation, when required, must associate each mailpiece to a corresponding tray or sack, or to a logical tray or sack, as described in 24.4.4.
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24.4.3 Intelligent Mail Container Placards
[Revise the second sentence of 24.4.3 to read as follows:]
***Mailing documentation, when required, must associate each mailpiece (and tray or sack, if applicable) to a corresponding container (or a logical container) as described in 24.4.4, unless otherwise authorized by the USPS.
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24.4.4 Electronic Documentation
[Revise the text of 24.4.4 to read as follows:]
Mailers must electronically submit postage statements and mailing documentation to the PostalOne! system. Documentation must describe how each mailpiece is linked to a uniquely identified tray or sack, and how each mailpiece and tray or sack is linked to a uniquely identified container. Linking to logical trays, sacks, and containers via sibling records is an option when linking to a specific tray, sack, or container is not feasible. The documentation must also meet the requirements in A Guide to Intelligent Mail for Letters and Flats (at http://ribbs.usps.gov). Mailers must transmit postage statements and documentation to the PostalOne! system using Mail.dat, Mail.XML, or Postal Wizard (see 24.5.3).
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24.5 Additional Standards
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24.5.3 Special Standards — Small Volume Mailings
[Revise the text of 24.5.3 to read as follows:]
For mailings of fewer than 10,000 pieces, when postage is affixed to each piece at the correct price, or each piece is of identical weight and the mailpieces are separated by price, the serial number field of each Intelligent Mail barcode can be populated with a mailing serial number that is unique to the mailing, but common to all pieces in the mailing. This unique mailing serial number must not be reused for a period of 45 days from the date of mailing. These mailings are not required to submit electronic documentation for full-service, only an electronic postage statement. Unique mailing serial numbers must be populated in the Postal Wizard entry screen field or in the electronic documentation.
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707 Periodicals
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13.0 Carrier Route Eligibility
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13.4 Full-Service Intelligent Mail Eligibility Standards
[Revise the introductory text of 13.4 to read as follows:]
In addition to other requirements in 6.0, carrier route letters and flats eligible for full-service Intelligent Mail prices and address correction benefits under 705.24 must:
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[Revise the last sentence of 13.4d to read as follows:]
d. ***Letters or flats with Intelligent Mail barcodes entered under the full-service automation option must also be part of mailings that meet the standards in 705.24.
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14.0 Barcoded (Automation) Eligibility
14.1 Basic Standards
[Revise the introductory text of 14.1 to read as follows:]
All pieces in a Periodicals barcoded (automation) mailing must meet the full-service standards in 705.24.0 and:
* * * * *
[Revise the first sentence of item 14.1c to read as follows:]
c. Bear an accurate unique Intelligent Mail barcode encoded with the correct delivery point routing code, matching the delivery address, and meeting the standards in 202.5.0 (for letters), 302.4.0 (for flats), and 708.4.0, either on the piece or on an insert showing through a window.
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14.2 Eligibility Standards for Full-Service Automation Periodicals
[Revise the introductory text of 14.2 to read as follows:]
All pieces entered under the full-service automation standards must:
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[Revise item 14.2b to read as follows:]
b. Be part of a mailing that meets the standards in 705.24.0.
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708 Technical Specifications
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6.0 Standards for Barcoded Tray Labels, Sack Labels, and Container Placards
6.1 General
6.1.1 Tray and Sack Labels
[Revise the text of 6.1.1 to read as follows:]
Intelligent Mail tray labels are the USPS-approved method to encode routing, content, origin, and mailer information on trays and sacks. Intelligent Mail tray labels are designed for optimum use with Intelligent Mail barcoded mail and have the capacity to provide unique identification throughout postal processing, but are required for use on all trays and sacks in presorted mailings.
6.1.2 Container Placards
[Revise 6.1.2 by adding items “a” and “b” to read as follows:]
a. Intelligent Mail container placards are not required for small mailings of Standard Mail, Periodicals, and Bound Printed Matter letters and flats when entered at a BMEU, if the mailing is less than 500 pounds of bundles or sacks, and fewer than 72 linear feet of trays.
b. Intelligent Mail container placards are not required when entering mail at a co-located BMEU within the service area where mail is entered, if the mailing consists of 100 but less than 250 pounds of bundles or sacks, and at least 12 but fewer than 35 linear feet of trays.
6.2 Specifications for Barcoded Tray and Sack Labels
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6.2.2 Line 1 (Destination Line)
The destination line must meet these standards:
a. Placement. The destination line must be the top line of the label. An exception is that one line of extraneous information may appear above the destination line on tray and sack labels as provided in 6.3.2 and 6.3.2f. The destination line must be completely visible when placed in the label holder. Visibility is ensured if the destination line is no less than 1/8 (0.125) inch below the top of the label, when the label is cut and prepared.
[Delete Exhibit 6.2.2a, Barcoded 2-inch Sack Labels, in its entirety.]
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[Delete Exhibit 6.2.2b, Barcoded 1-inch Sack Labels, in its entirety.]
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6.2.5 Line 3 (Origin Line)
[Revise the first sentence of 6.2.5 to read as follows:]
The origin line must appear below the content line, except as allowed under 6.3.4 and 6.2.5a and 6.2.5b.***
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[Delete current 6.3, Additional Standards — Barcoded 2-Inch Sack Labels and Barcoded Tray Labels, and 6.4, Additional Standards — Barcoded 1-Inch Sack Labels, in their entirety.]
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[Renumber current 6.5 as new 6.3 and revise the title to read as follows:]
6.3 Specific Standards for Intelligent Mail Tray Labels
6.3.1 Definitions
[Revise the text of renumbered 6.3.1 to read as follows:]
Intelligent Mail tray labels are 2-inch labels used on trays and sacks to provide unique identification within postal processing. 24-digit Intelligent Mail tray labels include only a 24-digit barcode printed in International Symbology Specification (ISS) Code 128 subset C symbology (see Exhibit 6.3.3). Intelligent Mail tray labels also include a human readable field designed to indicate the carrier route for carrier route mailings, display an “AUTO” indicator text for automation mailings, or remain blank for nonautomation mailings. Mailers using Intelligent Mail tray labels must print labels in the 24-digit Intelligent Mail tray label format. Detailed specifications for the tray label and barcode formats are at http://ribbs.usps.gov.
[Delete current Exhibit 6.5.1, 10/24 Transitional Intelligent Mail Tray Label, in its entirety.]
[Delete current 6.5.2, Transitional Intelligent Mail Tray Label Format, in its entirety.]
[Renumber current 6.5.3 through 6.5.7 as new 6.3.2 through 6.3.6.]
[Renumber current 6.6 as new 6.4.]
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We will include these revisions in the next update of the online DMM on Postal Explorer® at http://pe.usps.com.
— Product Classification,
Pricing, 11-14-13
