Effective October 1, 2019, the Postal Service™ revised Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail, 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 USPS® employees and customers, the Postal Service is updating the Aviation Security Program, also known as the Anonymous Mail Program. Under the revised standards, mailpieces bearing only postage stamps as the postage payment method that weigh more than 10 ounces or measure more than one-half inch thick will be prohibited from entering the mail stream through collection boxes, including street, lobby, and apartment boxes, or other unattended locations. A city, rural, or highway contract letter carrier may not pick up these mailpieces 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. The restrictions also do not 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®), Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®), and applicable Quick Service Guides (QSGs) under separate cover.
Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail
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2 General Guidelines
21 Mailability
211 General
[Revise the text of the last paragraph to read as follows:]
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Regardless of content, a mailpiece bearing only postage stamps as the postage payment method and weighing more than 10 ounces or measuring more than one-half inch thick may not be deposited into a collection box, Postal Service lobby drop, Postal Service dock, customer mailbox, or other unattended location. A city, rural, or highway contract letter carrier may not pick up these mailpieces for delivery, either from an individual or through Pickup on Demand service. The sender must present such items to an employee at a retail service counter in a Postal Service facility. Improperly presented items will be returned to the sender for proper entry and acceptance.
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Although effective October 1, 2019, the Postal Service will incorporate this revision into the next edition of online Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail, which is available via Postal Explorer® at pe.usps.com.
— Product Classification, Marketing, 10-10-19
