Effective January 21, 2018, the Postal Service™ will revise Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) in various sections to implement the changes coincident with the price adjustments and other minor DMM changes. Prices are available under Docket Number R2018-1 on the Postal Regulatory Commission‘s website at www.prc.gov.
In addition to the price adjustments, the Postal Service will implement the following:
n A change to the pallet preparation for Carrier Route (CR) pallets in Non-Flats Sequencing Systems (FSS) zones,
n The addition of Bound Printed Matter Flats up to 24 ounces to comail with USPS Marketing Mail® and Periodicals [destination sectional center facility (DSCF) or a destination delivery unit (DDU) only], and
n A zone chart revision for Priority Mail® to APO/FPO/DPO processing at the Chicago International Service Center (ISC).
Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)
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200 Commercial Mail Letters, Cards, Flats, and Parcels
201 Physical Standards
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5.0 Physical Standards for Nonautomation Flats
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5.3 Bound Printed Matter
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[Revise the text of item b. to read as follows:]
b. Bound Printed Matter may not weigh more than 20 ounces (except under 705.15).
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6.0 Physical Standards for Automation Flats
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6.2 Additional Criteria for Automation Flats
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6.2.2 Maximum Weight
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[Revise the text of item d. to read as follows:]
d. For Bound Printed Matter, 20 ounces (except under 705.15).
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600 Basic Standards For All Mailing Services
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608 Postal Information and Resources
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9.0 Postal Zones
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9.2 Application
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[Revise the table listed in item a. by adding asterisks to the ZIP Code groups listed under the “3-DIGIT ZIP CODE PREFIX GROUP” column and adding a new footnote to read as follows:]
3-DIGIT ZIP CODE PREFIX GROUP
090-098*
340
962-966*
*Priority Mail service destinating to these ZIP Codes is served by SCF Chicago IL 606.
[Revise the text of item b. to read as follows:]
b. The postage prices for zoned mail transported between the United States, the Canal Zone, Puerto Rico, or U.S. territories or possessions, including the Freely Associated States on the one hand, and MPOs on the other, or, among the MPOs, are the applicable zone prices for mail between the place of mailing or delivery and the city of the Postmaster serving the MPO concerned.
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700 Special Standards
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705 Advanced Preparation and Special Postage Payment Systems
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10.0 Merging Bundles of Flats Using the City State Product
10.1 Periodicals
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10.1.5 Pallet Preparation and Labeling
[Revise the second sentence in the introductory text of 10.1.5 to read as follows:]
***When sortation under this option is performed, after completing required or optional carrier route pallets (if any), mailers must prepare all merged 5-digit scheme and merged 5-digit pallets that are possible in the mailing based on the volume of mail to the destination using L001 and/or the City State Product.***
[Reverse the order of items a. and b.; revise the text of reordered items a. and b. to read as follows:]
a. 5-digit scheme carrier routes, required; optional with no minimum. May contain only carrier route bundles for carrier routes for 5-digit ZIP Codes identified in the L001 5-digit scheme listing. Labeling:
1. Line 1: use L001, Column B.
2. Line 2: “PER” or “NEWS” as applicable; followed by “FLTS;” followed by “CR-RTS SCHEME.”
b. Merged 5-digit scheme, required and permitted only when there is at least one 5-digit ZIP Code in the scheme that has an “A” or “C” indicator in the City State Product. May contain carrier route bundles for any 5-digit ZIP Code(s) in a single scheme listed in L001 as well as machinable barcoded price 5-digit bundles and machinable nonbarcoded price 5-digit bundles for those 5-digit ZIP Codes in the scheme that have an “A” or “C” indicator in the City State Product. Labeling:
1. Line 1: use L001, Column B.
2. Line 2: “PER” or “NEWS” as applicable; followed by “FLTS;” followed by “CR/5D SCHEME.”
[Reverse the order of items c. and d.; revise the text of reordered item c. to read as follows:]
c. 5-digit carrier routes, required; optional with no minimum. May contain only carrier route price bundles for the same 5-digit ZIP Code for those 5-digit ZIP Codes that are not part of a scheme. Labeling:
1. Line 1: use city, state, and 5-digit ZIP Code destination (see 8.6.4 for military mail).
2. Line 2: “PER” or “NEWS” as applicable; followed by “FLTS;” followed by “CARRIER ROUTES” or “CR-RTS.”
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10.2 USPS Marketing Mail
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10.2.5 Pallet Preparation and Labeling
[Revise the first two sentences of the introductory text of 10.2.5 to read as follows:]
Mailers must prepare pallets of bundles in the manner and sequence listed in items a. through i. below and under 8.0. When sortation under this option is performed, after completing required or optional carrier route pallets (if any), mailers must prepare all merged 5-digit scheme and merged 5-digit pallets that are possible in the mailing based on the volume of mail to the destination using L001 and/or the City State Product.***
[Reverse the order of items a. and b.; revise the text in reordered items a. and b. to read as follows:]
a. 5-digit scheme carrier routes, required; optional with no minimum. May contain only carrier route bundles for carrier routes for 5-digit ZIP Codes identified in the L001 5-digit scheme listing. Labeling:
1. Line 1: use L001, Column B.
2. Line 2: “MKT FLTS CR-RTS SCHEME.”
b. Merged 5-digit scheme, required and permitted only when there is at least one 5-digit ZIP Code in the scheme that has an “A” or “C” indicator in the City State Product. May contain carrier route bundles for any 5-digit ZIP Code(s) in a single scheme listed in L001 as well as automation price 5-digit bundles and Presorted price 5-digit bundles for those 5-digit ZIP Codes in the scheme that have an “A” or “C” indicator in the City State Product. Labeling:
1. Line 1: use L001, Column B.
2. Line 2: “MKT FLTS CR/5D SCHEME.”
[Reverse the order of items c. and d.; revise the text of reordered item c. to read as follows:]
c. 5-digit carrier routes, required; optional with no minimum. May contain only carrier route price bundles for the same 5-digit ZIP Code for those 5-digit ZIP Codes that are not part of a scheme. Labeling:
1. Line 1: use city, state, and 5-digit ZIP Code destination (see 8.6.4 for military mail).
2. Line 2: “MKT FLTS,” followed by “CARRIER ROUTES” or “CR-RTS.”
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12.0 Merging Bundles of Flats on Pallets Using a 5% Threshold
12.1 Periodicals
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12.1.5 Pallet Preparation and Labeling
[Revise the second sentence in the introductory text of 12.1.5 to read as follows:]
***When sortation under this option is performed, after completing required or optional carrier route pallets (if any), mailers must prepare all merged 5-digit scheme, 5-digit scheme, and merged 5-digit pallets that are possible in the mailing based on the volume of mail to the destination using L001 and the 5% threshold, as applicable.***
[Reverse the order of items a. and b.; revise the text of reordered item a. to read as follows:]
a. 5-digit scheme carrier routes, required; optional with no minimum. May contain only carrier route bundles for all carrier routes for 5-digit ZIP Codes identified in the L001 5-digit scheme listing. Labeling:
1. Line 1: use L001, Column B.
2. Line 2: “PER” or “NEWS” as applicable; followed by “FLTS” or “IRREG” as applicable; followed by “CR-RTS SCHEME.”
[Revise the second sentence of reordered item b. to read as follows:]
b ***For 5-digit ZIP Codes not included in a scheme, begin preparing pallets under 12.1.5e (merged 5-digit pallet).***
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[Reverse the order of items d. and e.; revise the text of reordered item d. to read as follows:]
d. 5-digit carrier routes, required; optional with no minimum. May contain only carrier route price bundles for the same 5-digit ZIP Code for those 5-digit ZIP Codes that are not part of a scheme. Labeling:
1. Line 1: use city, state, and 5-digit ZIP Code destination (see 8.6.4 for military mail).
2. Line 2: “PER” or “NEWS” as applicable; followed by “FLTS” or “IRREG” as applicable; followed by “CARRIER ROUTES” or “CR-RTS.”
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[Add new section title 12.2, USPS Marketing Mail, and renumber current 12.1.6 through 12.1.8 as new 12.2.1 through 12.2.3.]
12.2 USPS Marketing Mail
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12.2.3 Pallet Preparation and Labeling
[Revise the second sentence in the introductory text of renumbered 12.2.3 to read as follows:]
***When sortation under this option is performed after completing required or optional carrier route pallets (if any), mailers must prepare all merged 5-digit scheme and merged 5-digit pallets that are possible in the mailing based on the volume of mail to the destination using L001 and the 5% threshold.***
[Reverse the order of items a. and b.; revise the text in reordered item a. to read as follows:]
a. 5-digit scheme carrier routes, required, optional with no minimum. May contain only carrier route bundles for carrier routes for 5-digit ZIP Codes identified in the L001 5-digit scheme listing. Labeling:
1. Line 1: use L001, Column B.
2. Line 2: “MKT FLTS CR-RTS SCHEME.”
[Revise the second sentence of reordered item b. to read as follows:]
b. ***For 5-digit ZIP Codes not included in a scheme, begin preparing pallets under 12.2.3d (merged 5-digit pallet).***
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[Reverse the order of items c. and d.; revise the text of reordered item c. to read as follows:]
c. 5-digit carrier routes, required, optional with no minimum. May contain only carrier route price bundles for the same 5-digit ZIP Code for those 5-digit ZIP codes that are not part of a scheme. Labeling:
1. Line 1: use city, state, and 5-digit ZIP Code destination (see 8.6.4 for military mail).
2. Line 2: “MKT FLTS,” followed by “CARRIER ROUTES” or “CR-RTS.”
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13.0 Merging Bundles of Flats on Pallets Using the City State Product and a 5% Threshold
13.1 Periodicals
13.1.1 Basic Standards
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[Revise the text of item e. to read as follows:]
e. After completing all possible required or optional carrier route pallets (if any), mailers must prepare all merged 5-digit scheme and 5-digit scheme pallets according to the standards in 13.1.5.
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13.1.5 Pallet Preparation and Labeling
[Revise the second sentence in the introductory text of 13.1.5 to read as follows:]
***When sortation under this option is performed, after completing required or optional carrier route pallets (if any), mailers must prepare all merged 5-digit scheme, 5-digit scheme, and merged 5-digit pallets that are possible in the mailing based on the volume of mail to the destination (8.0) using L001, the City State Product, and the 5% threshold (13.1.4), as applicable.***
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[Reverse the order of items a. and b.; revise the text of reordered item a. to read as follows:]
a. 5-digit scheme carrier routes, required, optional with no minimum. May contain only carrier route bundles for carrier routes for 5-digit ZIP Codes identified in the L001 5-digit scheme listing. Labeling:
1. Line 1: use L001, Column B.
2. Line 2: “PER” or “NEWS” as applicable; followed by “FLTS” or “IRREG” as applicable; and followed by “CR-RTS SCHEME.”
[Revise the second sentence of reordered item b. to read as follows:]
b. ***For schemes in which all 5-digit ZIP Codes have “B” or “D” indicators and for which there are no 5-digit ZIP Codes for which 5-digit bundles may be placed on the pallet under the 5% limit, do not prepare a merged 5-digit scheme pallet (sort bundles to pallets under 13.1.5c through 13.1.5h).***
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[Reverse the order of items d. and e.; revise the text of reordered item d. to read as follows:]
d. 5-digit carrier routes, required; optional with no minimum. May contain only carrier route price bundles for the same 5-digit ZIP Code for those 5-digit ZIP Codes that are not part of a scheme. Labeling:
1. Line 1: use city, state, and 5-digit ZIP Code destination (see 8.6.4 for military mail).
2. Line 2: “PER” or “NEWS” as applicable; followed by “FLTS” or “IRREG” as applicable; and followed by “CARRIER ROUTES” or “CR-RTS.”
[Revise the second sentence of reordered item e. to read as follows:]
e. ***However, if no 5-digit bundles for ZIP Codes with “B” or “D” indicators can be placed on this level pallet under the 5% limit, do not prepare a merged 5-digit pallet (sort bundles under 13.1.5f through 13.1.5h).***
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13.2 USPS Marketing Mail
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13.2.4 Pallet Preparation and Labeling
[Revise the second sentence of the introductory text of 13.2.4 to read as follows:]
***When sortation under this option is performed after completing required or optional carrier route pallets (if any), mailers must prepare all merged 5-digit scheme and merged 5-digit pallets that are possible in the mailing based on the volume of mail to the destination using L001, the City State Product, and the 5% threshold.***
[Reverse the order of items a. and b.; revise the text of reordered item a. to read as follows:]
a. 5-digit scheme carrier routes, required, optional with no minimum. May contain only carrier route bundles for carrier routes for 5-digit ZIP Codes identified in the L001 5-digit scheme listing. Labeling:
1. Line 1: use L001, Column B.
2. Line 2: “MKT FLTS CR-RTS SCHEME.”
[Revise the second sentence of reordered item b. to read as follows:]
b. ***For schemes in which all 5-digit ZIP Codes have “B” or “D” indicators and for which there are no 5-digit ZIP Codes for which 5-digit bundles may be placed on the pallet under the 5% limit, do not prepare a merged 5-digit scheme pallet (sort bundles to pallets under 13.2.4c through 13.2.4i).***
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[Reverse the order of items c. and d.; revise the text of reordered item c. to read as follows:]
c. 5-digit carrier routes, required, optional with no minimum. May contain only carrier route price bundles for the same 5-digit ZIP Code for those 5-digit ZIP Codes that are not part of a scheme. Labeling:
1. Line 1: use city, state, and 5-digit ZIP Code destination (see 8.6.4 for military mail).
2. Line 2: “MKT FLTS,” followed by “CARRIER ROUTES or “CR-RTS.”
[Revise the title of 15.0 to read as follows:]
15.0 Combining USPS Marketing Mail Flats, Bound Printed Matter Flats, and Periodicals Flats
15.1 Basic Standards
[Revise the introductory text of 15.1 to read as follows:]
Authorized mailers may combine USPS Marketing Mail flats, Bound Printed Matter flats, and Periodicals flats in a single mailing as follows:
[Revise the text of item a. to read as follows:]
a. Each mailpiece must meet the standards in 240 for USPS Marketing Mail, 260 for Bound Printed Matter, and 207 for Periodicals. Periodicals publications must be authorized or pending original or additional entry at the office of mailing.
[Revise the text of item b. by adding a new last sentence to read as follows:]
b. ***For exceptions to bundling, contact the Pricing and Classification Service Center (see 608.8.0).
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[Revise the text of item e. to read as follows:]
e. Each mailing must include at least 200 pieces or 50 pounds of USPS Marketing Mail and/or at least 300 pieces of Bound Printed Matter mail, when USPS Marketing Mail and/or Bound Printed Matter are combined within a mailing.
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[Add new item h. to read as follows:]
h. Each comailing containing Bound Printed Matter flats must:
1. Be entered at a destination sectional center facility (DSCF) or a destination delivery unit (DDU) (Presorted DDU prices are not available for flats that weigh 1 pound or less).
a. When prepared and entered at a DSCF at 5-digit, 3-digit/SCF level pallets, BPM pieces should weigh no more than 20 ounces.
b. Heavier BPM pieces (pieces greater than 20 ounces and less than 24 ounces) in comail can only be placed in CR level bundles on a pallet included in no less than SCF/3D sortation entered at an SCF.
2. Not exceed the maximum weight of 24 ounces per piece within the same bundle, when comailed with Periodicals pieces.
a. The maximum number of heavier pieces would be no more than half of each bundle (half of the bundle can have BPM pieces that weigh 20 – 24 ounces).
b. The maximum bundle weight is 20 pounds.
15.1.1 Service Objectives
[Revise the text of 15.1.1 to read as follows:]
The Postal Service processes combined mailings of USPS Marketing Mail, Bound Printed Matter, and Periodicals flats to the service standards of USPS Marketing Mail.
15.1.2 Postage Payment
[Revise the first sentence of 15.1.2 to read as follows:]
Postage for all USPS Marketing Mail and Bound Printed Matter pieces must be paid with permit imprint using a special postage payment system in 2.0 through 4.0 at the Post Office location serving the mailer’s plant.***
15.1.3 Documentation
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[Delete current item f. and renumber current item g. as new item f. to read as follows:]
f. Any additional documentation to support postage payment system records, if requested.
15.1.4 Authorization
[Revise the first sentence of 15.1.4 to read as follows:]
A mailer must submit a written request to the manager, Business Mailer Support (see 608.8.1 for address) to combine mailings of USPS Marketing Mail flats, Bound Printed Matter flats, and Periodicals flats.***
[Add a new fourth sentence to 15.1.4 to read as follows:]
***When requested, a mailer must submit a copy of a notification document signed and dated by the Periodicals publisher, acknowledging the mailer’s participation in a combined mailing of USPS Marketing Mail and Periodicals and the potential for the mailpieces to receive deferred USPS handling.***
15.1.5 Price Eligibility
[Revise the first sentence of 15.1.5 to read as follows:]
Apply prices based on the standards in 240 for USPS Marketing Mail and 260 for Bound Printed Matter flats.***
* * * * *
[Revise the title of 15.2 to read as follows:]
15.2 Combining USPS Marketing Mail Flats, Bound Printed Matter Flats, and Periodicals Flats in the Same Bundle
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15.2.2 Mailpiece and Bundle Identification
[Revise the text of 15.2.2 to read as follows:]
Each USPS Marketing Mail, Bound Printed Matter, and Periodicals mailpiece prepared under a combined mailing of USPS Marketing Mail flats, Bound Printed Matter flats, and Periodicals flats must be identified as being part of a mixed class mailing through the use of an optional endorsement line (OEL) in accordance with the standards in 203.7.1.8. Post-print consolidators who have mailings of USPS Marketing Mail and Bound Printed Matter, using Permit Imprint may include a “Co-Class” marking.
* * * * *
[Revise the title of 15.3 to read as follows:]
15.3 Combining Bundles of USPS Marketing Mail Flats, Bound Printed Matter Flats, and Periodicals Flats on the Same Pallet
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15.3.2 Mailpiece and Bundle Identification
[Revise the text of 15.3.2 to read as follows:]
Each USPS Marketing Mail, Bound Printer Matter, and Periodicals mailpiece prepared under a combined mailing of USPS Marketing Mail flats, Bound Printed Matter flats, and Periodicals flats must be identified as being part of a mixed class mailing through the use of an optional endorsement line (OEL) in accordance with standards in 203.7.1.8. Post-print consolidators who have mailings of USPS Marketing Mail and Bound Printed Matter using Permit Imprint may include a “Co-Class” marking.
* * * * *
15.4 Pallet Preparation
15.4.1 Pallet Preparation, Sequence and Labeling
[Revise the introductory text of 15.4.1 to read as follows:]
When combining USPS Marketing Mail, Bound Printed Matter, and Periodicals flats within the same bundle or combining bundles of USPS Marketing Mail flats, Bound Printed Matter flats, and bundles of Periodicals flats on pallets, bundles must be placed on pallets. For labeling, ‘"MKT/BPM/PER FLTS," as applicable‘ means to label each individual pallet based on the classes of mailpieces on that individual pallet. For example, in a combined mailing of USPS Marketing Mail, Bound Printed Matter, and Periodicals flats, some pallets may be labeled "MKT/BPM/PER" while others might properly be labeled "MKT/BPM," "MKT/PER," "BPM/PER," or even "MKT," "BPM," or "PER." Preparation, sequence and labeling:
* * * * *
[Revise the text of item a2 to read as follows:]
2. Line 2: “MKT/BPM/PER FLTS,” as applicable; followed by “CARRIER ROUTES” (or “CR-RTS”); followed by “SCHEME” (or “SCH”); followed by “MIX COMAIL.”
* * * * *
[Revise the text of item b2 to read as follows:]
2. Line 2: “MKT/BPM/PER FLTS CR/5D,” as applicable; followed by “SCHEME” (or “SCH”); followed by “MIX COMAIL.”
* * * * *
[Revise the text of item c2 to read as follows:]
2. Line 2: “MKT/BPM/PER FLTS,” as applicable; followed by “CR/5D;” followed by “MIX COMAIL.”
* * * * *
[Revise the text of item d2 to read as follows:]
2. Line 2: “MKT/BPM/PER FLTS,” as applicable; followed by “CR/5D;” followed by “MIX COMAIL.”
* * * * *
[Revise the text of item e2 to read as follows:]
2. Line 2: “MKT/BPM/PER FLTS,” as applicable; followed by “BARCODED” (or “BC”); “NONBARCODED” (or “NBC”) for Presorted mail, or “BARCODED/NONBARCODED” (or “BC/NBC”) for pallets including both barcoded and Presorted pieces; followed by “MIX COMAIL.”
* * * * *
[Revise the text of item f2 to read as follows:]
2. Line 2: “MKT/BPM/PER FLTS,” as applicable; followed by “BARCODED” (or “BC”); “NONBARCODED” (or “NBC”) for Presorted mail, or “BARCODED/NONBARCODED” (or “BC/NBC”) for pallets including both barcoded and Presorted pieces; followed by “MIX COMAIL.”
* * * * *
[Revise the text of item g2 to read as follows:]
2. Line 2: “MKT/BPM/PER FLTS,” as applicable; followed by “BARCODED” (or “BC”); “NONBARCODED” (or “NBC”) for Presorted mail, or “BARCODED/NONBARCODED” (or “BC/NBC”) for mixed pallets; followed by “MIX COMAIL.”
* * * * *
[Revise the text of item h2 to read as follows:]
2. Line 2: “MKT/BPM/PER FLTS NDC,” as applicable; followed by “BARCODED” (or “BC”); “NONBARCODED” (or “NBC”) for Presorted mail, or “BARCODED/NONBARCODED” (or “BC/NBC”) for mixed pallets; followed by “MIX COMAIL.”
* * * * *
[Revise the first and second sentences in item i. to read as follows:]
i. NDC, required. Pallet may contain carrier route, automation, or presorted mail for the 3-digit ZIP Code groups in L601.***
* * * * *
[Revise the text of item i2 to read as follows:]
2. Line 2: “MKT/BPM/PER FLTS NDC,” as applicable; followed by “BARCODED” (or “BC”); “NONBARCODED” (or “NBC”) for Presorted mail, or “BARCODED/NONBARCODED” (or “BC/NBC”) for mixed pallets; followed by “MIX COMAIL.”
* * * * *
[Revise the first and second sentences in item j. to read as follows:]
j. Mixed NDC, required, 100 pound minimum. Pallet may contain carrier route, automation, or presorted mail.***
* * * * *
[Revise the text of item j2 to read as follows:]
2. Line 2: “MKT/BPM/PER FLTS,” as applicable; followed by “BARCODED” (or “BC”); “NONBARCODED” (or “NBC”) for Presorted mail, or “BARCODED/NONBARCODED” (or “BC/NBC”) for mixed pallets; followed by “WKG;” followed by “MIX COMAIL.”
* * * * *
We will incorporate these revisions into the next update of the online DMM, which is available via Postal Explorer® at pe.usps.com.
— Product Classification, Marketing, 12-7-17
