Effective April 3, 2017, the Postal Service™ will revise Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) in various sections to clarify the standards for the applicability of certain fees.
Effective with the January 22, 2017, price change, the Postal Service eliminated certain fees for outbound and return products. The Postal Service eliminated the permit imprint application fee for certain products, the annual mailing fee for certain products, the Business Reply Mail® (BRM) annual permit fee for parcel returns, the Qualified Business Reply Mail™ (QBRM™) annual permit fee, and the fees for Merchandise Return Service (MRS), including USPS® Return Services.
The Postal Service eliminated the permit imprint application fee for all Priority Mail Express®, Priority Mail®, First-Class Package Service®, Media Mail®, Library Mail, Bound Printed Matter (BPM) Parcels, and Parcel Select® mailpieces. Other than for mailers using the Electronic Verification System (eVS®), a permit imprint application fee will continue to be required for mailing First-Class Mail®, USPS Marketing Mail™, BPM Flats, and international mail that uses a permit imprint.
The Postal Service also eliminated the annual mailing fee for mailings of Media Mail, Library Mail, BPM Parcels, and Parcel Select. An annual mailing fee will continue to be required for mailings of First-Class Mail automation or presort, USPS Marketing Mail, and destination entry BPM Flats.
The BRM Basic or High Volume annual permit fee is not required for the exclusive return of parcels. An annual permit fee is required for the return of letters, cards, or flats, including when a mailer also receives the return of parcels. The QBRM Basic and High Volume annual permit fees have been eliminated. An annual permit fee may be required if the BRM permit is not used exclusively for the return of QBRM pieces. QBRM will also be subject to the payment of an annual permit fee if pieces prepared as QBRM do not meet the format requirements for QBRM.
The annual permit fee and account maintenance fee for MRS (including USPS Return Services) have been eliminated.
In addition to the above DMM revisions, the Postal Service will also update Quick Service Guide (QSG) 505, Business Reply Mail, and Notice 123, Price List.
Although we will not publish the changes in the DMM until April 3, 2017, these standards are effective immediately.
Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)
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200 Commercial Mail Letters, Cards, Flats, and Parcels
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260 Bound Printed Matter
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263 Prices and Eligibility
1.0 Prices and Fees
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1.2.6 Destination Entry Mailing Fee
[Revise the text of 1.2.6 to read as follows:]
A destination entry mailing fee for BPM Flats destination entry mailings must be paid once each 12-month period at each Post Office of mailing by or for any person or organization that mails at the BPM Flats destination entry prices, except as provided otherwise for plant-verified drop shipments. For BPM Flats destination entry mail manifested using eVS under 705.2.9, only one annual BPM Flats destination entry mailing fee (paid at the Post Office where the eVS permit imprint account is held) is required regardless of the number of Postal Service facilities where mailings are verified. All BPM Flats destination entry prices are covered under the payment of a single annual fee. The fee may be paid in advance only for the next 12 months and only during the last 60 days of the current service period. The fee charged is that which is in effect on the date of payment. Payment of this fee is waived for mailers who present only qualified full-service flat-size automation mailings under 705.23.0.
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266 Enter and Deposit
3.0 Destination Entry
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[Revise the title of 3.3 to read as follows:]
3.3 Postage Payment and Mailing Fees
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[Revise the text of items a. and b. to read as follows:]
a. Mailers must pay postage, and for BPM Flats mailings the correct mailing fees, at each Post Office where they are authorized to present mailings for verification unless using the Electronic Verification System (eVS) under 705.2.9. Except for plant-verified drop shipments (see 705.17.0) and eVS shipments (see 705.2.9), mailers must have a permit imprint authorization at the parent Post Office for mailings deposited for entry at a DNDC, ASF, DSCF, or DDU. Correct mailing fees for BPM Flat mailings must be paid for the current 12-month period at the USPS facility where postage is paid for the mailing.
b. Mailers who mail parcels paid with a permit imprint and claimed at Bound Printed Matter destination entry prices may use eVS under 705.2.9. Mailers using eVS must pay postage and applicable fees at the Post Office where they hold the permit used for all eVS mailings.
[Delete 3.4 in its entirety and renumber current 3.5 through 3.9 as new 3.4 through 3.8.]
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270 Media Mail and Library Mail
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273 Prices and Eligibility
1.0 Prices and Fees
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[Delete 1.4 in its entirety and renumber current 1.5, 1.5.1, 1.5.2, and 1.5.3 as new 1.4, 1.4.1, 1.4.2, and 1.4.3.]
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500 Additional Mailing Services
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505 Return Services
1.0 Business Reply Mail (BRM)
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1.1 BRM Postage and Fees
1.1.1 Basic BRM
[Revise the first sentence of 1.1.1 to read as follows:]
For basic BRM, a permit holder is required to pay an annual permit fee as provided under 1.2 and a per piece fee under 1.1.7 in addition to the applicable Retail First-Class Mail (metered for letters) or Priority Mail postage for each returned piece.***
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1.1.3 Basic Qualified BRM (QBRM)
[Revise the text of 1.1.3 to read as follows:]
For basic qualified BRM, a permit holder is required to pay an account maintenance fee under 1.1.8, and a per piece fee under 1.1.7 in addition to the applicable letter or card First-Class Mail postage for each returned piece. An annual permit fee may also be required under 1.2.3 if the BRM permit is not used exclusively for the return of QBRM pieces. Pieces that do not meet the format requirements for QBRM cannot qualify for the QBRM per piece fees or postage prices and are charged the high-volume BRM per piece fees and First-Class Mail postage under 1.1.2, and are subject to an annual permit fee.
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1.1.5 Bulk Weight Averaged Nonletter-Size BRM
[Revise the text of 1.1.5 to read as follows:]
In addition to an annual permit fee (which will apply under 1.2.3 for the return of any flat-size pieces), the per piece fee, and the applicable Retail First-Class Mail or Priority Mail postage, permit holders participating in bulk weight averaged nonletter-size BRM under 1.8 must pay an annual account maintenance fee and a monthly maintenance fee.
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1.2 Permits
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1.2.2 Application Process
[Revise the second sentence of 1.2.2 to read as follows:]
***If a completed PS Form 3615 is already on file for the mailer for other permits at that office, then the mailer must submit the annual BRM permit fee, if required under 1.2.3, and the USPS amends PS Form 3615 by adding the BRM authorization.***
1.2.3 Annual Permit Fee
[Revise the text of 1.2.3 to read as follows:]
Except for permits used for only BRM parcels and QBRM, a permit fee must be paid once each 12-month period at each Post Office where a BRM permit is held. The fee may be paid in advance only for the next 12 months and only during the last 60 days of the current service period. The fee charged is that which is in effect on the date of payment. For agents authorized by a permit holder to distribute and receive BRM, see 1.7.
1.2.4 Renewal of Annual Permit Fee
[Revise the introductory text of 1.2.4 to read as follows:]
Except for permits used for only BRM parcels and QBRM, an annual renewal notice is provided to each BRM permit holder by the USPS. Permits used for only BRM parcels and QBRM do not expire unless the account is unused for a period of 24 months. The renewal notice and the payment, if applicable, for the next 12 months must be returned by the expiration date to the Post Office that issued the permit. After the expiration date, the returned BRM pieces are treated as follows until the permit fee is paid, the unused permit is reactivated, or a new permit is obtained, as applicable:
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1.6 Additional Standards for Qualified Business Reply Mail (QBRM)
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[Delete 1.6.3 in its entirety.]
1.7 BRM Distributed and Received by Agents of a Permit Holder
1.7.1 Description
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[Revise the first sentence of item a. to read as follows:]
a. Permit — The main permit holder or “corporate” office applies for the permit number and pays the permit fee, if applicable.***
[Revise the text of item b. to read as follows:]
b. Annual Permit Fee — Agents do not pay a separate annual permit fee but must submit evidence (usually a copy of PS Form 3544) to the local office once each 12-month period to show that the annual permit fee, if applicable, has been paid. This evidence is not required if the permit holder has a centralized account processing system (CAPS) account, through which the local Post Office can determine that the permit fee, if applicable, has been paid.
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3.0 Merchandise Return Service (MRS)
3.1 Prices and Fees
[Revise the title and text of 3.1.1 to read as follows:]
3.1.1 Permit
An approved merchandise return permit on PS Form 3615 must be on file at every Post Office to which parcels are returned.
[Revise the title and text of 3.1.2 to read as follows:]
3.1.2 Advance Deposit Account
A permit holder must pay postage and extra service fees through an advance deposit account. When an advance deposit account is kept at each entry location, a separate permit (except as provided under 3.2.11 and for qualified national permit holders using scan-based payment for returns) is needed at each Post Office.
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3.2 Basic Standards
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3.2.6 Application Process
[Revise the text of 3.2.6 to read as follows:]
The applicant must submit a completed PS Form 3615 to the Post Office issuing the permit, or amend an existing PS Form 3615 on file at that office by adding the merchandise return service authorization to existing Returns Service permit authorizations. Except for MRS labels generated by the USPS Application Program Interface (API), PS Form 3615 must be accompanied by copies of the MRS labels (including printed copies of labels intended to be faxed to customers or transmitted to customers electronically) and the instructions provided to the permit holder’s customers. All MRS labels that have preprinted USPS Tracking barcodes must be approved by the USPS. If articles are to be returned from customers as Registered Mail, the applicant must indicate “Registered Mail” on the application. After a MRS permit is obtained, any change to label formats or customer instructions must be approved by the Post Office where the permit is held. MRS permits do not expire unless the account is unused for a period of 24 months.
3.2.7 Permit Renewal
[Revise the text of 3.2.7 to read as follows:]
Written authorization is not needed for permit renewal if there is no change to the authorization on file at the delivery unit.
[Revise the title and text of 3.2.8 to read as follows:]
3.2.8 Canceled or Expired Permit
If the permit has expired, merchandise return mail bearing the sender’s return address is returned to the sender; otherwise, it is treated as dead mail.
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[Revise the title and text of 3.2.10 to read as follows:]
3.2.10 Reapplying After Cancellation or Expiration
To receive a new MRS permit at the same Post Office after a merchandise return permit is canceled or expired, the applicant must amend the PS Form 3615 on file at that office to reflect the new application date; submit for approval two samples of any label format to be used; if canceled, provide evidence that the reasons for the permit cancellation are corrected; and provide and keep funds in an advance deposit account to cover normal returns for at least two weeks.
3.2.11 Using Other Post Offices
[Revise the text of 3.2.11 to read as follows:]
The permit holder may distribute merchandise return labels for return through other Post Offices (i.e. stations or branches under a Main Post Office) if the permit holder opens and keeps their advance deposit account at the Post Office where the permit is issued and supplies that Postmaster the name, address, and telephone number of a representative in each additional station or branch, if different from the information on the application.
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[Revise the title and text of 3.7.1 to read as follows:]
3.7.1 Permit
A permit is required for the USPS Return Services described in 3.7.
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5.0 Bulk Parcel Return Service
5.1 Bulk Parcel Return Service (BPRS) Permit and Fees
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5.1.2 Advance Deposit Account
[Revise the text of 5.1.2 to read as follows:]
The permit holder must pay BPRS fees through an advance deposit account. A separate advance deposit account for BPRS is not required.
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600 Basic Standards for all Mailing Services
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604 Postage Payment Methods and Refunds
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5.0 Permit Imprint (Indicia)
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5.1.5 Application Fee
[Revise the text of 5.1.5 to read as follows:]
An application fee is required only when a permit imprint is used as the payment method for First-Class Mail, USPS Marketing Mail, Bound Printed Matter Flats, and international mail, and the mailer does not use the Electronic Verification System (eVS).
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6.0 Payment of Postage
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6.4 Advance Deposit Account
[Revise the text of 6.4 to read as follows:]
Mailers may choose to establish an advance deposit account(s) from which postage, per piece charges, and other fees are deducted. For certain return services, an advance deposit account is required. Mailers may use a single advance deposit account to pay postage due charges for more than one return service (e.g., business reply mail, merchandise return service, and bulk parcel return service).
[Revise the title and text of 6.5 to read as follows:]
6.5 Annual Accounting Fee for Return Services
Except for accounts used solely to pay postage due for shortpaid mail, address correction notices, and undeliverable-as-addressed pieces returned to sender (e.g., return service requested) mailers must pay a separate annual accounting fee, if applicable, for each return service paid through an advance deposit account. This fee covers the administrative cost of maintaining the account and provides the mailer with the accounting of all charges deducted from that account. The accounting fee is charged once each 12-month period on the anniversary date of the initial accounting fee payment. The fee may be paid in advance only for the next year and only during the last 60 days of the current service period. The fee charged is that which is in effect on the date of payment.
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9.0 Exchanges and Refunds
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9.2.3 Full Refund
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[Revise the first sentence of item h. to read as follows:]
h. An annual presort mailing fee is paid for Presorted First-Class Mail, USPS Marketing Mail, or a destination entry mailing fee is paid for Bound Printed Matter Flats and no mailings are made during the corresponding 12-month period.***
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Index
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B
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Bound Printed Matter, commercial parcels
[Delete “annual destination entry mailing fee, 263.1.2.6”.]
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bulk parcel return service (BPRS), 505.5.0
[Revise “annual accounting fee” to read as follows:]
advanced deposit account, 505.5.1.2
[Revise and re-alphabetize “annual permit fee” to read as follows:]
permit and per piece fee, 505.5.1.1
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Business Reply Mail (BRM), 505.1.0
[Revise the list of “Business Mail Reply (BRM)” to read as follows:]
annual accounting fee, renewal, 505.1.1.9, 505.1.1.10
annual permit, renewal, 505.1.2.3, 505.1.2.4
application for a permit, 505.1.2
distributed by agents of the permit holder, 505.1.7
format, 505.1.5
general information, 505.1.3
labels, 505.1.4.8 – 505.1.4.9
official U.S. government mail, 505.1.3.3
postage and fees, 505.1.1
physical characteristics, 505.1.4
qualified Business Reply Mail (QBRM), 505.1.6
refunds for postage affixed to Business Reply Mail, 604.9.2.6
sample of Business Reply Mail, 505.1.5.1
weight-averaged Business Reply Mail, 505.1.1.5, 505.1.8
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L
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Library Mail, commercial flats
[Delete “annual mailing fee, 273.1.4”.]
* * * * *
Library Mail, commercial parcels
[Delete “annual mailing fee, 273.1.3”.]
* * * * *
M
* * * * *
mailing fees
[Revise the list of “mailing fees” to read as follows:]
commercial flats
Bound Printed Matter, 263.1.2.6
First-Class Mail, 233.1.5
USPS Marketing Mail, 243.1.4.1, 243.3.5
commercial letters
First-Class Mail, 233.1.5
USPS Marketing Mail, 243.1.4.1, 243.3.5
commercial parcels
Bound Printed Matter, 263.1.2.6
USPS Marketing Mail, 243.1.4.1, 243.3.5
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Media Mail, commercial flats
[Delete “annual mailing fee, 273.1.4”.]
* * * * *
Media Mail, commercial parcels
[Delete “annual mailing fee, 273.1.4”.]
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merchandise return service, 505.3.0
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[Rename “annual accounting fee” as “advanced deposit account,” leave DMM reference, and re-alphabetize.]
advanced deposit account, 505.3.1.2
[Rename “annual permit fee” as “permit,” leave DMM reference, and re-alphabetize.]
permit, 505.3.1.1
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P
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Parcel Return Service (PRS), 505.4.0
[Revise the “Parcel Return Service (PRS) list to read as follows:]
application for a permit, 505.4.2.4
general information, 505.4.2
label examples, 505.4.3.5
label format elements, 505.4.2
permit 505.4.1.1
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Parcel Select
* * * * *
[Delete “destination entry mailing fee, 253.1.3”.]
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Q
[Revise the “qualified business reply mail” list to read as follows:]
qualified business reply mail (QBRM)
See also Business Reply Mail (BRM)
authorization to participate, 505.1.6.2
eligibility for prices, 505.1.6
postage and fees, 505.1.1.3, 505.1.1.4
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We will incorporate these revisions into the next online update of the DMM, which is available via Postal Explorer® at http://pe.usps.com.
— Product Classification, Marketing, 3-2-17
