Effective October 1, 2019, the Postal Service™ revised Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) in various sections to update the provision for stamped mail weighing more than 13 ounces, and extend that provision to physical characteristics.
To enhance the safety and security of Postal Service employees and customers, the Postal Service is updating the Aviation Security Program (also known as the Anonymous Mail Program) to restrict the deposit method for all mailpieces bearing stamps as the only postage payment method and weighing more than 10 ounces or measuring more than one half-inch in thickness. Under the revised standards, domestic and international mailpieces that weigh more than 10 ounces or measure more than one half-inch in thickness, and bear only postage stamps as the postage payment method, may not be deposited into collection receptacles, including street, lobby, and apartment boxes, or other unattended locations.
These stamped mailpieces also may not be picked up by city, rural, or highway contract letter carriers for delivery, either from an individual or through Pickup on Demand® service. Instead, a mailer must present such a mailpiece to an employee at a Post Office™ retail service counter.
These restrictions do not apply to any mailpiece that weighs 10 ounces or less and measures one half-inch or less in thickness, nor do they affect any mailpieces, regardless of weight or thickness, for which postage is paid with a method other than stamps, such as a permit imprint or a postage evidencing system (a meter or PC Postage® product).
In addition, the Postal Service will update Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM®), Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail, and applicable Quick Service Guides (QSGs) under separate cover.
Although the Postal Service will not publish these revisions in the DMM until January 26, 2020, the standards are effective immediately.
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
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116 Deposit
1.0 Priority Mail Express 1-Day and 2-Day Delivery
[Revise the text of item a. to read as follows:]
a. Except as provided in 1.0b, items may be deposited at a Post Office location, deposited in a Priority Mail Express collection box, picked up during the normal delivery and collection of mail, or through Pickup on Demand service.
[Revise the first sentence of item b. to read as follows:]
b. Items bearing only postage stamps as postage payment and that weigh more than 10 ounces, or measure more than one half-inch in thickness, may not be deposited into a Priority Mail Express collection box, picked up during the normal delivery and collection of mail, or through Pickup on Demand service.***
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120 Priority Mail
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126 Deposit
1.0 Deposit
[Revise the title and first sentence of 1.1 to read as follows:]
1.1 Pieces Weighing 10 Ounces or Less and Measuring One Half-Inch or Less in Thickness
Priority Mail pieces that weigh 10 ounces or less and measure one half-inch or less in thickness may be deposited into any collection box, mail chute, or mail receptacle, or at any place where mail is accepted if the full required postage is paid with postage stamps.***
[Revise the title and first sentence of 1.2 to read as follows:]
1.2 Pieces Weighing More than 10 Ounces or Measuring More than One Half-Inch in Thickness
Priority Mail pieces bearing only postage stamps as postage payment and that weigh more than 10 ounces or measure more than one half-inch in thickness may not be deposited into a collection box, Postal Service lobby drop, Postal Service dock, customer mailbox, or other unattended location.***
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130 Retail Mail First-Class Mail and First-Class Package Service — Retail
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136 Deposit
1.0 Deposit for First-Class Mail and First-Class Package Service — Retail
[Revise the text of 1.0 to read as follows:]
Retail First-Class Mail (letters, cards, flats) and First-Class Package Service — Retail must be deposited as follows:
a. Except as provided in 1.0b, items may be deposited into any collection box, mail receptacle, or at any place where mail is accepted if the full required postage is paid with postage stamps.
b. Items bearing only postage stamps as postage payment and that weigh more than 10 ounces, or measure more than one half-inch in thickness, may not be deposited into any collection box, picked up during the normal delivery and collection of mail, or through Pickup on Demand service. The sender must present such items to an employee at a Post Office location. Improperly presented items will be returned to the sender for proper deposit.
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150 Retail Mail USPS Retail Ground
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156 Deposit
1.0 Deposit for USPS Retail Ground
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[Revise the title and first sentence of 1.3 to read as follows:]
1.3 Stamped Pieces over 10 Ounces or More than One Half-Inch in Thickness
USPS Retail Ground pieces bearing only postage stamps as postage payment and that weigh more than 10 ounces, or measure more than one half-inch in thickness, may not be deposited into a collection box, Postal Service lobby drop, Postal Service dock, customer mailbox, or other unattended location.***
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170 Retail Mail Media Mail and Library Mail
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176 Deposit and Entry
1.0 Deposit for Media Mail and Library Mail
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[Revise the title and first sentence of 1.2 to read as follows:]
1.2 Stamped Pieces over 10 Ounces or More than One Half-Inch in Thickness
Media Mail and Library Mail pieces bearing only postage stamps as postage payment and that weigh more than 10 ounces, or measure more than one half-inch in thickness, may not receive pickup service, nor be deposited into a collection box, Postal Service lobby drop, Postal Service dock, customer mailbox, or other unattended location.***
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500 Additional Mailing Services
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507 Mailer Services
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7.0 Pickup on Demand Service
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7.2 Basic Standards
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[Revise the title and text of 7.2.2 to read as follows:]
7.2.2 Stamped Pieces over 10 Ounces or More than One Half-Inch in Thickness
Mailpieces bearing only postage stamps as postage payment and that weigh more than 10 ounces, or measure more than one half-inch in thickness, cannot be picked up by letter carriers and must be presented to an employee at a retail service counter at a Post Office location.
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700 Special Standards
703 Nonprofit USPS Marketing Mail and Other Unique Eligibility
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2.0 Overseas Military and Diplomatic Post Office Mail
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2.6 Priority Mail Express Military Service (PMEMS)
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2.6.9 Deposit
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[Revise the text of item a. to read as follows:]
a. Except as provided in 2.6.9b, items may be deposited at a Post Office location, deposited in a Priority Mail Express collection box, picked up during the normal delivery and collection of mail, or through Pickup on Demand service.
[Revise the first sentence of item b. to read as follows:]
b. Items bearing only postage stamps as postage payment and that weigh more than 10 ounces, or measure more than one half-inch in thickness, may not be deposited into a Priority Mail Express collection box, picked up during the normal delivery and collection of mail, or through Pickup on Demand service.***
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The Postal Service will incorporate these revisions into the next edition of the online DMM, which is available via Postal Explorer® at pe.usps.com.
— Product Classification, Marketing, 10-10-19
