Effective September 11, 2017, the Postal Service™ will revise Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) in various sections to standardize terminology for pallet labels.
Currently, we refer to pallet labels as both labels and placards. For consistency with the terminology used for sacks and trays, the Postal Service will revise the DMM to use the term “label” exclusively and remove all references to “placard.” This revision is for consistency only and does not change any pallet standards.
Additionally, we will revise Quick Service Guide 705a, Pallets, Pallet Boxes, and Trays on Pallets, to reflect this change.
Although we will not publish these revisions in the DMM until September 11, 2017, the 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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204 Barcode Standards
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[Revise the title of 3.0 to read as follows:]
3.0 Standards for Barcoded Tray Labels, Sack Labels, and Container Labels
3.1 General
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[Revise the title and text of 3.1.2 to read as follows:]
3.1.2 Container Labels
Mailer-generated container labels bearing Intelligent Mail container barcodes identify the mail owner or agent and uniquely identify the unit (pallet, container, or rolling stock). Intelligent Mail container labels are designed for use with Intelligent Mail barcoded mail and Intelligent Mail tray labels.
a. Intelligent Mail container labels are not required for small mailings of USPS Marketing 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 labels 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 – 250 pounds of bundles or sacks and 12 – 35 linear feet of trays.
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[Revise the title of 3.4 to read as follows:]
3.4 Intelligent Mail Container Labels
3.4.1 Definition
[Revise the text of 3.4.1 to read as follows:]
Mailer-generated container labels bearing Intelligent Mail container barcodes identify pallets and other rolling stock, such as all-purpose containers. Intelligent Mail container barcodes uniquely identify each container and may be scanned at induction points. Detailed specifications for Intelligent Mail container barcodes and labels are available at postalpro.usps.com/.
[Revise the title and text of 3.4.2 to read as follows:]
3.4.2 Intelligent Mail Container Label Configurations
Intelligent Mail container labels must be affixed on the outside of any shrinkwrap or plastic by self-adhesive or other adhesive means. Labels may be produced in two configurations:
a. Affixed label measuring at least 8 inches by 11 inches. See 3.4.3 for label specifications and 3.4.5 for label placement.
b. Optional affixed label measuring at least 4 inches by 7 inches. See 3.4.6 for label specifications and 3.4.5 for label placement.
[Revise the title and introductory text of 3.4.3 to read as follows:]
3.4.3 Intelligent Mail Container Label Format
In addition to the requirements for pallet labels in 705.8.6, Intelligent Mail container labels (see Exhibit 3.4.3) must retain the top half of the labels for USPS-required elements, except as allowed under 705.8.6.6. The USPS banner, identification bars, and human-readable text are required elements related to the Intelligent Mail container barcode and will serve as a guide to distinguish the barcode from the other information on the container label. Required elements include:
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[Revise the text of items d. and e. to read as follows:]
d. Barcode Location. The barcode, along with the corresponding USPS banner and identification bars, must be printed on the front side of the pallet label. When the identification bars extend beyond the length of the barcode, the barcode must be horizontally centered.
e. Minimum Size. The minimum size of this label is 8 inches high by 11 inches long. See additional specifications at postalpro.usps.com/. Mailers using larger labels must ensure the barcode conforms to the published specification and the human-readable content is provided as illustrated in Exhibit 3.4.3 and as published on the PostalPro website.
[Revise the title of Exhibit 3.4.3 to read as follows:]
Exhibit 3.4.3 Intelligent Mail Container Label
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[Revise the title and text of 3.4.5 to read as follows:]
3.4.5 Label Requirements
Mailers may use labels bearing Intelligent Mail container barcodes only under the following conditions:
a. Two labels must be placed on each pallet, one on each adjacent side. Labels must be affixed by self-adhesive or other adhesive means that will not obscure any required element of the label and remain secure throughout USPS processing.
b. One label must be placed in the designated area on other USPS containers.
c. Labels affixed to pallets containing Periodicals mail must be pink, except under 3.4.5d or 3.4.5e.
d. Labels prepared in the optional smaller format under 6.6 may be white, but must include a vertical pink, 1/2-inch-wide identification bar along the left-hand side of the label, unless prepared under 3.4.5e.
e. Labels containing Periodicals may be all white when used in conjunction with a pink designator label meeting the following criteria:
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[Revise items e3, e4, and e5 to read as follows:]
3. Designator labels must meet or exceed both the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the accompanying Intelligent Mail container label and must bear only a “PERIODICALS” or “NEWS” marking at least 1/2-inch high (or at least 48-point type).
4. Designator labels may be affixed on the outside of, or be placed beneath, any shrinkwrap or plastic, but must be immediately adjacent to the Intelligent Mail container label.
5. When using this option, each Intelligent Mail container label must be accompanied by an adjacent designator label.
[Revise the title and text of 3.4.6 to read as follows:]
3.4.6 Optional Smaller Label Format
Mailers may prepare labels bearing Intelligent Mail container barcodes (see Exhibit 3.4.6) in a smaller alternate format as follows:
a. Labels must include the required elements described in 705.8.6.
b. Labels must measure no less than 4 inches high by 7 inches long.
c. Labels prepared in the minimum size of 4 inches high by 7 inches long may include a restricted mailer/acceptance unit area that cannot exceed one line of text or contain larger than 12-point type. Text in the restricted mailer/acceptance unit area must be restricted to the bottom line of the label (below the lower barcode identification bar).
d. Intelligent Mail container labels prepared in the optional smaller format, but measuring more than 4 inches high by 7 inches long in both (or either) dimensions, must preserve the top 3.75 inches of the label, or the area including and above the lower barcode identification bar (whichever is greater), for USPS-required elements. The remainder of the label is available for restricted mailer/acceptance unit use. Text in the restricted mailer/acceptance unit area, when used, cannot contain larger than 12-point type.
e. All text placed in the mailer/acceptance unit area must be approved by the business mail entry unit (BMEU) servicing the mailer for acceptance and verification, except as allowed under 705.8.6.6a or 705.8.6.6b for optional placement of required origin office/mailer location information. Mailers wishing to include information other than that approved or allowed for use in this area must use the larger size label specified in 3.4.3.
f. Labels must be securely affixed on two adjacent sides on the outside of the shrinkwrap or plastic of pallets.
g. Labels containing Intelligent Mail container barcodes must meet the specifications for labels posted at postalpro.usps.com/.
[Revise the title of Exhibit 3.4.6 to read as follows:]
Exhibit 3.4.6 Intelligent Mail Container Label — Optional Format with Restricted Mailer Area
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3.4.8 Quality Assurance Provisions
[Revise the text of 3.4.8 to read as follows:]
Mailers printing Intelligent Mail container labels are responsible for the inspection and testing of the labels prior to submission to the USPS and for maintaining the overall quality of the labels they produce. Inspection and testing of Intelligent Mail container labels should be performed periodically. Mailers are encouraged to work with their local mailpiece design analyst to validate the accuracy and quality of their labels.
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207 Periodicals
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27.0 Combining Multiple Editions or Publications
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27.6 Additional Standards
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[Revise the text of item a. to read as follows:]
a. Use Intelligent Mail tray labels on trays and sacks and Intelligent Mail container labels, under 204.3.3 and 204.3.4, on pallets or similar containers.
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700 Special Standards
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705 Advanced Preparation and Special Postage Payment Systems
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8.0 Preparing Pallets
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[Revise the title of 8.6 to read as follows:]
8.6 Pallet Labels
8.6.1 Placement
[Revise the second sentence of 8.6.1 to read as follows:]
***Pallets prepared through plant-load or drop-shipment agreements must be placed on transportation so that a pallet label on each pallet faces toward the rear of the vehicle.
8.6.2 Specifications
[Revise the text of 8.6.2 to read as follows:]
Pallet labels must be pink for Periodicals and white for First-Class Mail, USPS Marketing Mail, Package Services, and Parcel Select. Pallet labels must measure at least 8 inches by 11 inches, except that pallet or other USPS container labels bearing Intelligent Mail container barcodes may measure no less than 4 inches by 7 inches when prepared under 204.3.4.6. Labels, affixed to pallets containing Periodicals, bearing an Intelligent Mail container barcode and prepared in the optional smaller format under 204.3.4.6, may be white instead of pink when a vertical pink, 1/2-inch-wide identification bar is included along the left-hand side of the label, or may be white when used in conjunction with an adjacent pink designator label, under 204.3.4.5.
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8.6.6 Line 3
[Revise the third and fourth sentence of the introductory text of 8.6.6 to read as follows:]
***Labels on containers of parcels prepared using eVS under 2.9 must show “eVS” either to the left of required line 3 information or directly below line 3 using the same size and lettering used for line 3. At the mailer‘s option, pallet labels prepared for destination entry may have the correct destination entry office information printed left-justified on line 3 only under these conditions:
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8.6.8 Extraneous Information
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[Revise the text of item a. to read as follows:]
a. The type size is smaller than a 1/2 inch with a maximum 12-point font on the optional smaller labels under 204.3.4.6.
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8.7 Copalletized, Combined, or Mixed-Price Level Palletized Mailings
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[Revise the text of item b. to read as follows:]
b. In accordance with 204.3.1.1 and 204.3.1.2, Intelligent Mail tray labels must be used on trays and sacks and Intelligent Mail container labels must be used on pallets or similar containers.
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8.16 Copalletized Letter-size and Flat-size Pieces — Periodicals or USPS Marketing Mail
8.16.1 Basic Standards
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[Revise the text of item b. to read as follows:]
b. In accordance with 204.3.3 and 204.3.4, use Intelligent Mail tray labels on trays and sacks, and Intelligent Mail container labels on pallets or similar containers.
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14.0 FSS Scheme Preparation
14.1 General
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[Revise the text of item d. to read as follows:]
d. Pallets must be prepared under 8.0 and labeled under 8.6, with a pallet label bearing an Intelligent Mail container barcode, as described in 204.3.4.
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15.0 Combining USPS Marketing Mail Flats and Periodicals Flats
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15.2 Combining USPS Marketing Mail Flats and Periodicals Flats in the Same Bundle
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15.2.3 Pallet Presort and Labeling
[Revise the fourth sentence of 15.2.3 to read as follows:]
***Pallet labels must be white and measure at least 8 inches by 11 inches, unless prepared under 204.3.4.6.***
15.3 Combining Bundles of USPS Marketing Mail Flats and Periodicals Flats on the Same Pallet
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15.3.3 Pallet Presort and Labeling
[Revise the fifth sentence of 15.3.3 to read as follows:]
***Pallet labels must be white and measure at least 8 inches by 11 inches, unless prepared under 204.3.4.6.***
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20.0 eInduction Option
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20.3 General Eligibility Standards
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[Revise the first and second sentence of item a. to read as follows:]
a. Be labeled with a USPS label and a unique Intelligent Mail container barcode. All required pallets and similar containers (such as all-purpose containers, hampers, and gaylords) and all containers prepared under 8.0, must display container labels that include accurately encoded Intelligent Mail container barcodes (IMcb), as described in 204.3.4.4.***
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We will incorporate these revisions into the next online update of the DMM, which is available via Postal Explorer® at pe.usps.com.
— Product Classification,
Marketing, 8-3-17
