Effective January 27, 2019, 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.
On November 13, 2018, the Postal Regulatory Commission approved the price adjustments proposed by the Postal Service to take effect as planned. The price adjustments and DMM revisions are scheduled to become effective on January 27, 2019. Final prices are available under Docket No. R2019-1 (Order No. 4875) on the Postal Regulatory Commission’s website at prc.gov.
In addition to the price adjustments, the Postal Service will implement the following:
n The introduction of a specifically tailored Periodicals Service Type ID (STID) for publishers to include in the Intelligent Mail® barcode, (IMb®), along with authorized alternative addressing formats. Publishers will no longer receive address-related notices via PS Form 3579, Notice of Undeliverable Periodical, or electronic ACS, if the address is vacant or not deliverable. Publications processed by Postal Automated Redirection System, Computerized Forwarding System, or Remote Forwarding System will be discarded without notice to the publisher.
n A modification to correct the Business Reply Mail® (BRM/Qualified Business Reply Mail™ (QBRM™) anomaly by applying the retail “stamped” letter price to basic and high volume BRM, to offset the postage increase basic and high volume BRM per piece fees decreased from the previous price.
n The elimination of the Full-Service requirement on commercial mailings of First-Class Mail® or USPS Marketing Mail® postcards, letters, or flats using picture permit imprint indicia.
n The addition of a small parcel forwarding fee for USPS Marketing Mail parcels, endorsed “Change Service Requested” under “Option 2” (ACS only), that are forwarded due to an active change-of-address.
n The introduction of 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 where it was entered.
Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)
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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 first sentence of the introductory text in 1.1.1 to read as follows:]
For basic BRM, permit holders are required to pay an annual permit fee as provided under 1.2 and a per piece fee as described under 1.1.7 in addition to the applicable Retail First-Class Mail (stamped letters), First-Class Package Service — Retail, or Priority Mail postage for each returned piece.***
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1.1.3 Basic Qualified BRM (QBRM)
[Revise the first sentence of the introductory text in 1.1.3 to read as follows:]
For basic qualified BRM, permit holders are required to pay an account maintenance fee as noted under 1.1.8, and a per piece fee as described under 1.1.7 in addition to the applicable retail letter or card First-Class Mail (stamped letters) postage for each returned piece.***
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507 Mailer Services
1.0 Treatment of Mail
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1.5 Treatment for Ancillary Services by Class of Mail
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1.5.2 Periodicals
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[Revise the text in items b. and c. to read as follows:]
b. Publications with an alternative addressing format as noted under 602.3.0 are delivered to the address when possible. Forwarding service is not provided for such mail.
c. Address correction service is mandatory for all Periodicals publications, except when publishers use alternative addressing and an IMb with proper STID. An address correction service fee must be paid for each notice issued.
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1.5.3 USPS Marketing Mail and Parcel Select Lightweight
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Exhibit 1.5.3 Treatment of Undeliverable USPS Marketing Mail and Parcel Select Lightweight
MAILER ENDORSEMENT USPS TREATMENT OF
UAA PIECES
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“Change Service Requested” 1, 4
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[Revise the parenthetical for “Option 2” to read as follows:]
(Available via ACS only; for USPS Marketing Mail (all shapes) and Parcel Select Lightweight)
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If change-of-address order on file:
[Revise the text under “If change-of-address order on file:” for “Months 1 through 12” to read as follows:]
Months 1 through 12: Piece forwarded; postage due charged to the mailer at applicable Forwarding Fee based on the piece shape for USPS Marketing Mail or Parcel Select Lightweight; separate notice of new address provided (electronic ACS fee charged).
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600 Basic Standards for All Mailing Services
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602 Addressing
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3.0 Use of Alternative Addressing
3.1 General Information
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3.1.3 Treatment
[Revise the third sentence of the introductory text in 3.1.3 to read as follows:]
***Periodicals publishers are notified when a mailpiece with an occupant or exceptional address format is undeliverable for solely address-related reasons, (except publishers using an IMb with proper STID on non-subscriber or non-requester copies as stipulated under 207.7.0.***
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604 Postage Payment Methods and Refunds
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5.0 Permit Imprint (Indicia)
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5.4 Picture Permit Imprint Indicia
5.4.1 Description
[Revise the third sentence of 5.4.1 to read as follows:]
***Picture permit imprints may be used to pay postage and extra service fees on commercial mailings of First-Class Mail or USPS Marketing Mail postcards, letters, or flats.
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5.4.5 Picture Permit Imprint Indicia Format
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[Delete item f. in its entirety and renumber current items g. through k. as new items f. through j.]
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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
