Effective January 27, 2019, the Postal Service™ will revise Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) to reflect changes to prices and mailing standards for the following competitive products:
n Priority Mail Express®.
n Priority Mail®.
n First-Class Package Service®.
n Parcel Select®.
n USPS Retail Ground®.
n Extra Services.
n Return Services.
n Mailer Services.
n Recipient Services.
This article describes new prices and product features for Competitive Products established by the Governors of the United States Postal Service®. New prices are available on Postal Explorer® at pe.usps.com.
Competitive Products changes are identified by product as follows:
The Postal Service will defer implementing Dimensional Weight (DIM) pricing for Priority Mail Express retail and commercial parcels until June 23, 2019. Effective June 23, 2019, postage for Priority Mail Express parcels addressed for delivery to Zones 1 through 9 and exceeding 1 cubic foot (1,728 cubic inches) will be based on the actual weight or the dimensional weight, whichever is greater.
Priority Mail Express DIM weight pricing will be calculated using one of two formulas: rectangular or nonrectangular, with a DIM divisor of 166.
The Postal Service will defer until June 23, 2019, extending the zones for Priority Mail retail, commercial, and commercial plus, Dimensional Weight (DIM) pricing to include Zones 1 through 4. Effective June 23, 2019, postage for all Priority Mail parcels addressed for delivery to Zones 1 through 9 and exceeding 1 cubic foot (1,728 cubic inches) will be based on the actual weight or the dimensional weight, whichever is greater.
The Postal Service will also defer changing the DIM divisor used in the rectangular and nonrectangular formulas to 166 for parcels addressed for delivery to Zones 5 through 9, effective June 23, 2019.
The Postal Service will eliminate balloon pricing under the retail, commercial, and commercial plus price categories.
First-Class Package Service — Retail® and First-Class Package Service — Commercial price computation will change to weight and zone based pricing. First-Class Package Service — Retail prices will continue to start at 1 ounce up to 13 ounces. First-Class Package Service — Commercial prices will continue to start at 1 ounce up to less than 16 ounces.
The Postal Service will defer until June 23, 2019, implementing Dimensional Weight (DIM) weight pricing for Parcel Select parcels in the Destination Entry and Ground price categories. Effective June 23, 2019, postage for Parcel Select parcels addressed for delivery to Zones 1 through 9 and exceeding 1 cubic foot (1,728 cubic inches) will be based on the actual weight or the dimensional weight, whichever is greater.
Parcel Select DIM weight pricing will be calculated using one of two formulas: rectangular or nonrectangular, with a DIM divisor of 166.
The Postal Service will eliminate balloon pricing under the Destination Entry and Ground price categories.
No product changes are scheduled for USPS Retail Ground, Extra Services, Return Services, or Mailer Services competitive products.
The Postal Service is adding another option to the Premium Forwarding Service product: Premium Forwarding Service Local (PFS-Local). PFS-Local provides residential and business customers the option to have USPS® gather their mail addressed to Post Office Boxes (except no fee Group E boxes) within the same servicing postal facility, and dispatch the mail to their delivery street address.
An annual enrollment fee is required, and a reshipment fee is charged for each container of mail requested and received by the customer (Monday through Saturday).
The Postal Service is introducing a “small parcel” forwarding fee for Parcel Select Lightweight parcels. The forwarding fee would only apply for pieces endorsed “Change Service Requested” under “Option 2” (ACS only) that are forwarded due to an active change-of-address. All other undeliverable pieces will be discarded and an electronic ACS notice is provided in both cases.
As described in the August 29, 2018, Federal Register final rule (83 FR 43985-43986), the Postal Service is introducing a charge for items identified in the postal network that exceed the 70-pound weight limit for Postal Service products, and are, therefore, nonmailable. Overweight items identified in the postal network will be assessed a $100 charge payable before release of the item, unless the item is discovered at the same facility it was entered.
The Postal Service provides additional resources to assist customers with this price change for competitive products. These tools include price lists, downloadable price files, and Federal Register notices, available on Postal Explorer at http://pe.usps.com.
Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)
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100 Retail Mail Letters, Cards, Flats, and Parcels
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110 Priority Mail Express
113 Prices and Eligibility
1.0 Prices and Fees
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[Add new 1.3 to read as follows and renumber current 1.3 through 1.5 as new 1.4 through 1.6.]
1.3 Dimensional Weight Price for Low-Density Parcels to Zones 1–9
Postage for parcels addressed for delivery to Zones 1–9 and exceeding 1 cubic foot (1,728 cubic inches) is based on the actual weight or the dimensional weight (as calculated in 1.3.1 or 1.3.2), whichever is greater.
1.3.1 Determining Dimensional Weight for Rectangular Parcels
Follow these steps to determine the dimensional weight for a rectangular parcel:
a. Measure the length, width, and height in inches. Round off (see 604.7.0) each measurement to the nearest whole inch.
b. Multiply the length by the width and then that total by the height. (Example: 11 x 6 x 3 = 198.)
c. If the result exceeds 1,728 cubic inches, divide the result by 166 and round up (see 604.7.0) to the next whole number to determine the dimensional weight in pounds.
d. If the dimensional weight exceeds 70 pounds, the customer pays the 70-pound price.
1.3.2 Determining Dimensional Weight for Nonrectangular Parcels
Follow these steps to determine the dimensional weight for a nonrectangular parcel:
a. Measure the length, width, and height in inches at their extreme dimensions. Round off (see 604.7.0) each measurement to the nearest whole inch.
b. Multiply the length by the width and then that total by the height. (Example: 11 x 6 x 3 = 198.)
c. Multiply the result by an adjustment factor of 0.785.
d. If the final result exceeds 1,728 cubic inches, divide the result by 166 and round up (see 604.7.0) to the next whole number to determine the dimensional weight in pounds.
e. If the dimensional weight exceeds 70 pounds, the customer pays the 70-pound price.
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120 Priority Mail
123 Prices and Eligibility
1.0 Prices and Fees
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[Delete 1.3, Balloon Price, in its entirety and renumber current 1.4 through 1.7 as new 1.3 through 1.6. Revise the title and text of renumbered 1.3 to read as follows:]
1.3 Dimensional Weight Price for Low-Density Parcels to Zones 1–9
Postage for parcels addressed for delivery to Zones 1–9 and exceeding 1 cubic foot (1,728 cubic inches) is based on the actual weight or the dimensional weight (as calculated in 1.3.1 or 1.3.2), whichever is greater.
1.3.1 Determining Dimensional Weight for Rectangular Parcels
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[Revise the text of item c. to read as follows:]
c. If the result exceeds 1,728 cubic inches, divide the result by 166 and round up (see 604.7.0) to the next whole number to determine the dimensional weight in pounds.
[Add new item d. to read as follows:]
d. If the dimensional weight exceeds 70 pounds, the customer pays the 70-pound price.
1.3.2 Determining Dimensional Weight for Nonrectangular Parcels
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[Revise the text of item d. to read as follows:]
d. If the final result exceeds 1,728 cubic inches, divide the result by 166 and round up (see 604.7.0) to the next whole number to determine the dimensional weight in pounds.
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130 Retail First-Class Mail and First-Class Package Service — Retail
133 Prices and Eligibility
1.0 Prices and Fees
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1.2 Price Computation for First-Class Mail and First-Class Package Service — Retail
[Revise the text of 1.2 to read as follows:]
First-Class Mail and First-Class Package Service — Retail prices are charged as follows:
a. First-Class Mail: Per ounce or fraction thereof. Any fraction of an ounce is considered a whole ounce. For example, if a piece weighs 0.5 ounces, the weight (postage) increment is 1 ounce.
b. First-Class Package Service — Retail: Based on weight and zone. Any fraction of an ounce is considered a whole ounce.
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200 Commercial Mail Letters, Cards, Flats, and Parcels
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210 Priority Mail Express
213 Prices and Eligibility
1.0 Prices and Fees
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[Add new 1.5 to read as follows and renumber current 1.5 through 1.7 as new 1.6 through 1.8.]
1.5 Dimensional Weight Price for Low-Density Parcels to Zones 1–9
Postage for parcels addressed for delivery to Zones 1–9 and exceeding 1 cubic foot (1,728 cubic inches) is based on the actual weight or the dimensional weight (as calculated in 1.5.1 or 1.5.2), whichever is greater.
1.5.1 Determining Dimensional Weight for Rectangular Parcels
Follow these steps to determine the dimensional weight for a rectangular parcel:
a. Measure the length, width, and height in inches. Round off (see 604.7.0) each measurement to the nearest whole inch.
b. Multiply the length by the width and then that total by the height. (Example: 11 x 6 x 3 = 198.)
c. If the result exceeds 1,728 cubic inches, divide the result by 166 and round up (see 604.7.0) to the next whole number to determine the dimensional weight in pounds.
d. If the dimensional weight exceeds 70 pounds, the customer pays the 70-pound price.
1.5.2 Determining Dimensional Weight for Nonrectangular Parcels
Follow these steps to determine the dimensional weight for a nonrectangular parcel:
a. Measure the length, width, and height in inches at their extreme dimensions. Round off (see 604.7.0) each measurement to the nearest whole inch.
b. Multiply the length by the width and then that total by the height. (Example: 11 x 6 x 3 = 198.)
c. Multiply the result by an adjustment factor of 0.785.
d. If the final result exceeds 1,728 cubic inches, divide the result by 166 and round up (see 604.7.0) to the next whole number to determine the dimensional weight in pounds.
e. If the dimensional weight exceeds 70 pounds, the customer pays the 70-pound price.
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220 Priority Mail
223 Prices and Eligibility
1.0 Prices and Fees
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[Delete 1.5, Balloon Price, in its entirety and renumber current 1.6 through 1.11 as new 1.5 through 1.10. Revise the title and text of renumbered 1.5 to read as follows:]
1.5 Dimensional Weight Price for Low-Density Parcels to Zones 1–9
Postage for parcels addressed for delivery to Zones 1–9 and exceeding 1 cubic foot (1,728 cubic inches) is based on the actual weight or the dimensional weight (as calculated in 1.5.1 or 1.5.2), whichever is greater.
1.5.1 Determining Dimensional Weight for Rectangular Parcels
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[Revise the text of item c. to read as follows:]
c. If the result exceeds 1,728 cubic inches, divide the result by 166 and round up (see 604.7.0) to the next whole number to determine the dimensional weight in pounds.
[Add new item d. to read as follows:]
d. If the dimensional weight exceeds 70 pounds, the customer pays the 70-pound price.
1.5.2 Determining Dimensional Weight for Nonrectangular Parcels
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[Revise the text of item d. to read as follows:]
d. If the final result exceeds 1,728 cubic inches, divide the result by 166 and round up (see 604.7.0) to the next whole number to determine the dimensional weight in pounds.
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250 Parcel Select
253 Prices and Eligibility
1.0 Prices and Fees
[Add new 1.3 to read as follows and renumber current 1.3 as new 1.4.]
1.3 Dimensional Weight Price for Low-Density Parcels to Zones 1–9
Postage for parcels addressed for delivery to Zones 1–9 and exceeding 1 cubic foot (1,728 cubic inches) is based on the actual weight or the dimensional weight (as calculated in 1.3.1 or 1.3.2), whichever is greater.
1.3.1 Determining Dimensional Weight for Rectangular Parcels
Follow these steps to determine the dimensional weight for a rectangular parcel:
a. Measure the length, width, and height in inches. Round off (see 604.7.0) each measurement to the nearest whole inch.
b. Multiply the length by the width and then that total by the height. (Example: 11 x 6 x 3 = 198.)
c. If the result exceeds 1,728 cubic inches, divide the result by 166 and round up (see 604.7.0) to the next whole number to determine the dimensional weight in pounds.
d. If the dimensional weight exceeds 70 pounds, the customer pays the 70-pound price.
1.3.2 Determining Dimensional Weight for Nonrectangular Parcels
Follow these steps to determine the dimensional weight for a nonrectangular parcel:
a. Measure the length, width, and height in inches at their extreme dimensions. Round off (see 604.7.0) each measurement to the nearest whole inch.
b. Multiply the length by the width and then that total by the height. (Example: 11 x 6 x 3 = 198.)
c. Multiply the result by an adjustment factor of 0.785.
d. If the final result exceeds 1,728 cubic inches, divide the result by 166 and round up (see 604.7.0) to the next whole number to determine the dimensional weight in pounds.
e. If the dimensional weight exceeds 70 pounds, the customer pays the 70-pound price.
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[Delete 4.5, Balloon Price, in its entirety and renumber current 4.6 as new 4.5.]
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280 First-Class Package Service — Commercial
283 Prices and Eligibility
1.0 Prices and Fees
1.1 Price Application
[Revise the first sentence of 1.1 to read as follows:]
Postage is based on the price that applies to the weight and zone of each addressed piece.***
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285 Mail Preparation
1.0 Preparation for First-Class Package Service — Commercial
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[Revise the text of item b. to read as follows:]
b. There are no presorting requirements for single-piece First-Class Package Service — Commercial parcels paid with postage evidencing system postage.
[Add new 2.0 to read as follows and renumber current 2.0 as new 3.0.]
2.0 Preparation of Permit Imprint Mailings
2.1 Identical Weight Pieces
To use a permit imprint, the pieces must be of identical weight, and unless all the pieces are in a weight category for which the price does not vary by zone, the pieces must be separated by zone when presented to the Post Office, except under 2.2.
2.2 Nonidentical Weight Pieces
A permit imprint may be used for mailings of nonidentical-weight pieces only if authorized by Business Mailer Support at USPS Headquarters.
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500 Additional Mailing Services
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505 Return Services
1.0 Business Reply Mail (BRM)
1.1 BRM Postage and Fees
1.1.1 Basic BRM
[Revise the second sentence of 1.1.1 to read as follows:]
***For First-Class Package Service — Retail, or Priority Mail BRM pieces exceeding 13 ounces in weight, if the zone cannot be determined from a return address or cancellation, then the permit holder is charged Zone 4 postage based on the weight of the piece.***
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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), per piece fee and the applicable Retail First-Class Mail, First-Class Package Service — Retail, 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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3.0 Merchandise Return Service (MRS)
3.1 Prices and Fees
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3.1.3 Postage
[Revise the second sentence of 3.1.3 to read as follows:]
***If the postage for the returned parcel is zoned and there is no way to determine its zone of origin (i.e., no postmark or return address), then postage is calculated at Zone 4 (for Priority Mail, First-Class Package Service — Commercial, or for pieces marked “Ground” and charged at Parcel Select Ground prices).***
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3.7 Additional Standards for USPS Return Services
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3.7.4 Postage
[Revise the first sentence of 3.7.4 to read as follows:]
Postage is calculated based on the weight of the parcel and zone.***
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508 Recipient Services
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7.0 Premium Forwarding Services
[Add new 7.1 to read as follows and renumber current 7.1 as new 7.2. Delete the title of current 7.2, Preparation, and renumber current 7.2.1 as new 7.2.6.]
7.1 Premium Forwarding Services Description
Premium Forwarding Services offers three options as follows:
a. Premium Forwarding Service Residential (PFS-Residential): Provides certain residential customers an option to have all mail addressed to their primary address shipped to a temporary address as described under 7.2.
b. Premium Forwarding Service Commercial (PFS-Commercial): Provides business commercial customers the option to have USPS gather their mail addressed to business PO boxes or business street addresses and dispatched to a new address as described under 7.3.
c. Premium Forwarding Service Local (PFS-Local): Provides residential/individual and business/organization Post Office Box holders the option to have USPS gather their mail addressed to their PO Box for delivery to their street address as described under 7.4.
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[Add new 7.4 to read as follows:]
7.4 Premium Forwarding Service Local
7.4.1 Description
Premium Forwarding Service Local (PFS-Local) provides residential/individual and business/organization Post Office Box holders the option to have the USPS gather their mail addressed to their PO Box (excludes no-fee Group E PO Boxes) and dispatch the mail to their delivery street address when both addresses are within the same local servicing postal facility.
An annual enrollment fee is required, and a reshipment fee is charged (see 7.4.3b) for each reshipment container. Email notifications are sent regarding reshipments or when no mail is available to forward. See Notice 123, Price List, for postage price and fee.
7.4.2 Activation
Customers must enroll for PFS-Local and pay the annual enrollment fee online via usps.com at usps.com/manage/forward.htm for residential/individual boxholders or the Business Customer Gateway at gateway.usps.com/eAdmin/view/signin for business/organization boxholders. Customers must specify the active PO Box, a deliverable destination address, and frequency (Monday through Saturday). Service is activated electronically, upon receipt of an email confirmation.
7.4.3 Conditions
Only the residential/individual-use PO Box customer or authorized recipient (or legal agent) of a business’s (or organization’s) PO Box mail that is on file may activate the request for PFS-Local service. PFS-Local service is subject to these conditions:
a. Customers must pay an annual enrollment fee per PO Box to establish service. The enrollment fee is refundable only if the request is denied.
b. The annual enrollment and reshipment fees are paid using a credit card for residential/individual-use PO Box customers or a permit linked to the Enterprise Payment System (EPS) account for commercial customers.
c. The reshipment fee is charged for each reshipment container and non-accountable item that does not fit in a container. Customers may request reshipments Monday through Saturday.
d. If no mail is collected for reshipment on a designated frequency day, no reshipment fee is charged.
e. Customers with mailpieces arriving postage due are charged using the customer’s postage due account prior to delivery. If no account exists, the appropriate postage due is collected upon delivery.
f. A business must keep a postage-due merchandise return service (MRS) account or business reply mail (BRM) account at the originating postal facility where the PO Box or business street address is located. Any short paid, MRS, or BRM pieces will be charged to the mailer’s account prior to reshipment.
g. Any mailpiece indicating surface only transportation such as Label 127, Surface Mail only, or that bears other hazardous materials markings such as “Consumer Commodity ORM-D” is not included in the reshipment, and a delivery notice will be provided in the PFS-Local reshipment.
h. Priority Mail Express, Registered Mail, Certified Mail, COD (excluding COD Hold For Pickup mailpieces unless they are being returned to the sender or authorized PFS-Commercial customer), insurance, Signature Confirmation, or Adult Signature are shipped separately at no additional charge.
i. Customers may cancel their PFS-Local service effective 24 hours after the USPS receives the customer’s request for cancellation through usps.com or the Business Customer Gateway. The customer must pay all reshipment fees as applicable for any reshipments already scheduled before cancellation of service is made effective.
j. USPS may cancel a customer’s PFS-Local service request effective 24 hours after the customer receives written notice of cancellation from the serving Post Office. Cancellation is based upon the customer’s failure to pay the fees, failure to meet the standards for PFS-Local service, or when there is substantial reason to believe that the service is being or will be used for unlawful activities. In this case, USPS may grant cancellation within less than 24 hours. The customer may appeal this cancellation of services to the manager, Post Office Operations, but must pay for all reshipment fees as applicable for any service provided during the appeal period.
7.4.4 Prohibited Use
PFS-Local is not available to customers:
a. Who have an active change-of-address (COA), including temporary or permanent.
b. With an active Hold Mail Authorization (PS Form 8076). Mail that has previously been held at the primary PO Box address cannot be included in the reshipments.
c. Who have a no-fee Group E PO Box.
d. Whose primary PO Box address is a central point to which the USPS provides delivery in bulk to a third party, such as a commercial mail receiving agency (CMRA).
e. Whose primary address or temporary address is an APO/FPO or DPO.
f. Whose address is within the 969 3-digit ZIP Code area or is otherwise in a U.S. territory or possession that requires a customs declaration.
g. With an active PFS-Residential or PFS-Commercial order.
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600 Basic Standards for All Mailing Services
601 Mailability
1.0 General Standards
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[Add new 1.2 to read as follows and renumber current 1.2 and 1.3 as new 1.3 and 1.4.]
1.2 Overweight Items
The maximum Postal Service mailpiece weight limit is 70 pounds. Lower weight limits may apply. Any Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, USPS Retail Ground, Media Mail, Library Mail, Parcel Select, and Parcel Return Service item exceeding the 70-pound Postal Service maximum weight limit is nonmailable and if found in the postal network will be secured at the facility identifying the ineligible item for pick-up by the mailer or addressee. The overweight item fee will be assessed and must be paid by any authorized retail payment method or through the Enterprise Payment System, before release of the item.
Unless the item is discovered and picked up at the same facility where it was entered, an overweight item charge of $100 will be assessed and must be paid by any authorized retail payment method or through the Enterprise Payment System before release of the item. An overweight item not paid for and picked up within the 14 calendar day timeframe will be considered abandoned and disposed of at the discretion of the Postal Service.
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604 Postage Payment Methods and Refunds
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9.0 Exchanges and Refunds
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9.2 Postage and Fee Refunds
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9.2.4 Postage and Fee Refunds Not Available
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[Add new item i. to read as follows:]
i. For any amounts paid as purported postage and fees on overweight items that are nonmailable under 601.1.2.
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The Postal Service 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, 12-20-18
