Effective July 10, 2022, the Postal Service™ will revise Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®), in various sections, to reflect changes to certain pricing and mailing standards for the following domestic mail competitive products:
n Priority Mail®.
n Parcel Select®.
n Return Services.
n Other.
This article describes new prices and product features for domestic mail competitive products established by the Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service®. New prices are available on the Postal Explorer® website at pe.usps.com.
Competitive products changes are by product as follows:
Priority Mail Commercial Plus™ Cubic
Currently, Commercial Plus cubic prices are available to Priority Mail customers whose account volumes exceeded 50,000 pieces in the previous calendar year and have a customer commitment agreement with the Postal Service.
The Postal Service is revising the DMM to remove the volume requirements for Priority Mail Commercial Plus cubic prices. The Postal Service will also eliminate the requirement to have a customer commitment agreement for cubic pricing. Priority Mail cubic prices will be available to all commercial customers.
Priority Mail Maximum Insurance Indemnity
The Postal Service has proposed making the maximum insurance indemnity included with retail- and commercial-priced Priority Mail limited to a maximum liability of $100. See Federal Register notice, “New Mailing Standards for Domestic Mailing Services Products” (87 FR 21601-21603) for additional information.
Parcel Select Ground® Cubic
The Postal Service is implementing cubic pricing under the Parcel Select Ground price category. Parcel Select Ground cubic pricing will be available to eligible Parcel Select Ground customers for rectangular, nonrectangular, and soft-pack mailpieces. Each mailpiece must measure 1 cubic foot or less, weigh 20 pounds or less, and the longest dimension may not exceed 18 inches. Rolls and tubes do not qualify for mailpiece cubic prices. Parcel Select Ground cubic pricing will be available in 10 pricing tiers.
USPS Returns® Service
The Postal Service is proposing to include $100 of insurance with Priority Mail Return® service pieces. See Federal Register notice, “New Mailing Standards for Domestic Mailing Services Products” (87 FR 21601-21603) for additional information.
Postal Zone Calculation Revision
Currently, prices for certain subclasses of mail are based on the weight of the individual piece and the distance that the piece travels from origin to destination (i.e., the number of postal zones crossed). Administering these postal zones is based on a map in which the earth is divided into units of area 30 miles square, identical with a quarter of the area formed by the intersecting parallels of latitude and meridians of longitude. Postal zones are based on the distance between these area units. The distance is measured from the center of the area unit containing the sectional center facility (SCF) serving the origin Post Office™ to the SCF serving the destination Post Office.
The Postal Service is revising the calculation method for postal zones. Administration of postal zones will be calculated based on the centroid (geometric center) of each 3-digit ZIP Code™ area or combination of 3-digit ZIP Code areas. Postal zones will be based on the distance between these area units. The distance is measured from the centroid of the 3-digit ZIP Code area serving the origin Post Office to the centroid of the 3-digit ZIP Code area serving the destination Post Office. The 3-digit ZIP Code areas serving the origin and destination Post Offices will be determined by using Labeling List L002, Column A.
The Postal Service will also revise Notice 123 — Price List, as applicable, based on standards described in this article. Revised Notice 123 — Price List will be effective July 10, 2022.
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, which are available on the Postal Explorer website at pe.usps.com.
The Postal Service will publish these revisions in the DMM on July 10, 2022, which is when these standards become effective.
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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7.0 Physical Standards for Parcels
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7.3 Maximum Weight and Size
[Revise the second sentence of 7.3 to read as follows:]
***Lower weight limits apply to parcels mailed at cubic, Regional Rate Box, First-Class Package Service — Commercial, USPS Marketing Mail, Parcel Select Ground Cubic, and Bound Printed Matter prices.***
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8.0 Additional Physical Standards by Class of Mail
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8.2 Priority Mail
[Revise the text of 8.2 to read as follows:]
The maximum weight is 70 pounds. Lower weight limits apply to parcels mailed at cubic (20 pounds); Regional Rate “Box A” (15 pounds); and Regional Rate “Box B” (20 pounds) prices. The combined length and girth of a piece (the length of its longest side plus the distance around its thickest part) may not exceed 108 inches. Lower size limits apply to parcels mailed at Flat Rate, Regional Rate, and cubic prices. Lower weight and size standards apply for some APO/FPO and DPO mail subject to 703.2.0 and 703.4.0, and for Department of State mail subject to 703.3.0.
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202 Elements on the Face of a Mailpiece
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3.0 Placement and Content of Mail Markings
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[Revise the title of 3.4 to read as follows:]
3.4 Priority Mail Cubic Markings
3.4.1 Price Marking — Postage Evidencing Systems
[Revise the first sentence of the introductory text of 3.4.1 to read as follows:]
Priority Mail pieces priced at the cubic price must be marked “Priority Mail” and bear the applicable marking that reflects the correct price tier printed on the piece or produced as part of the postage indicia.***
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[Add new 3.8 to read as follows and renumber current 3.8 and 3.9 as 3.9 and 3.10:]
3.8 Parcel Select Ground Cubic Markings
3.8.1 Price Marking — Postage Evidencing Systems
Parcel Select Ground pieces priced at the cubic price must be marked “Parcel Select Ground” and bear the applicable marking that reflects the correct price tier printed on the piece or produced as part of the postage indicia. The cubic tiers are determined by the cubic measurement of each mailpiece up to the defined threshold, (for example, measurements from .01 up to .10 for “Cubic .10” and from .101 up to .20 for “Cubic .20”). Place the marking directly above, directly below, or to the left of the postage. Approved markings are as follows:
a. “Cubic .10.”
b. “Cubic .20.”
c. “Cubic .30.”
d. “Cubic .40.”
e. “Cubic .50.”
f. “Cubic .60.”
g. “Cubic .70.”
h. “Cubic .80.”
i. “Cubic .90.”
j. “Cubic 1.00.”
3.8.2 Price Marking — Permit Imprint
Parcel Select Ground permit imprint pieces priced at the cubic price must be marked “Parcel Select Ground” and bear the “cubic” marking printed on the piece or produced as part of the permit imprint indicia. Place the marking directly above, directly below, or to the left of the postage. The approved marking is “Cubic” (or “CUBIC,” or “cubic”).
3.8.3 Soft-Pack and Padded-Envelope Markings
Regardless of the postage-payment method used, soft pack and padded envelopes must be marked “Parcel Select Ground” in addition to the tier-price markings in 3.8.1 and the dimensions (length and width) of the original packaging. Place the markings directly above, directly below, or to the left of the postage.
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220 Commercial Mail Priority Mail
223 Prices and Eligibility
1.0 Prices and Fees
1.1 Price Application
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[Revise the first sentence of item a. to read as follows:]
a. Except for Commercial Plus items weighing up to 0.5 pound (see 1.1c) and cubic items (see 1.1d), customers mailing Priority Mail mailpieces are charged per pound of the mailpiece; any fraction of a pound is rounded up to the next whole pound.***
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[Revise the text of item d. to read as follows:]
d. Cubic prices are not based on weight, but are charged based on zone and the mailpiece’s cubic measurement, with any fraction of a measurement rounded down to the nearest 1/4 inch. For example, a dimension of a piece measuring 12-3/8 inches is rounded down to 12-1/4 inches.
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[Revise the title of 1.4 to read as follows:]
1.4 Cubic
[Revise the title and text of 1.4.1 to read as follows:]
1.4.1 Cubic Eligibility
Cubic prices are generally available to commercial Priority Mail customers. Each mailpiece must measure .50 cubic foot or less, weigh 20 pounds or less, and the longest dimension may not exceed 18 inches. Rolls and tubes do not qualify for mailpiece cubic prices.
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[Revise the title of 1.4.2 to read as follows:]
1.4.2 Cubic Tiers
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[Revise the title of Exhibit 1.4.4 to read as follows:]
Exhibit 1.4.4 Cubic Pricing Tiers for Soft Pack and Padded Envelopes
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[Delete the text of 1.4.5 in its entirety.]
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3.0 Basic Eligibility Standards for Priority Mail
3.1 Description of Service
[Revise the second sentence of 3.1 to read as follows:]
***Lower weight limits apply to cubic pieces (see 1.4); Regional Rate Boxes (see 1.8); APO/FPO mail subject to 703.2.0 and 703.4.0, and Department of State mail subject to 703.3.0.
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224 Postage Payment and Documentation
1.0 Basic Standards for Postage Payment
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[Delete the text of 1.1.3 in its entirety.]
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225 Mail Preparation
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[Revise the title and text of 4.0 to read as follows:]
4.0 Preparing a Cubic Mailing
Cubic mailpieces for multiple price tiers may be combined in the same container.
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250 Commercial Mail Parcel Select
253 Prices and Eligibility
1.0 Prices and Fees
[Revise the title and text of 1.1 to read as follows:]
1.1 Pricing
1.1.1 Prices
For prices, see Notice 123 — Price List.
1.1.2 Price Categories
Parcel Select mail price categories are as follows:
a. Destination Entry, including destination entry network distribution center (DNDC), destination entry sectional center facility (DSCF), and destination entry delivery unit (DDU).
b. Ground, including Ground Cubic.
c. Lightweight.
d. USPS Connect Local.
1.1.3 Price Application
The following price applications apply:
a. Prices for Destination Entry DNDC and Ground are based on the weight increment of each addressed piece, and the zone to which the piece is addressed. The price is charged per pound or fraction thereof; any fraction of a pound is considered a whole pound. The minimum price per piece is the 1-pound price.
b. Prices for Destination Entry DDU and DSCF, and USPS Connect Local are based on the weight increment of each addressed piece. The price is charged per pound or fraction thereof; any fraction of a pound is considered a whole pound. The minimum price per piece is the 1-pound price.
c. Prices for USPS Connect Local Flat Rate Packaging are based on a flat rate regardless of the mailpiece’s domestic destination and actual weight (up to 25 pounds).
d. Prices for Ground Cubic are based on the zone and cubic measurement of the mailpiece with any fraction of a measurement rounded down to the nearest 1/4 inch. For example, the dimension of a Ground cubic piece measuring 12-3/8 inches is rounded down to 12-1/4 inches.
e. Prices for Parcel Select Lightweight are based on the weight increment and entry of each addressed piece. The price is charged per ounce or fraction thereof, with any fraction of an ounce rounded to the next whole ounce. The minimum price per piece is the 1-ounce price.
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[Revise 1.2 to read as follows:]
1.2 Parcel Select Ground Cubic
1.2.1 Eligibility
Cubic prices are available to eligible Parcel Select Ground customers, including Ground Return Service customers under 505.3.0. Each mailpiece must measure 1 cubic foot or less, weigh 20 pounds or less, and the longest dimension may not exceed 18 inches. Rolls and tubes do not qualify for mailpiece cubic prices.
1.2.2 Tiers
Cubic prices consist of 10 tiers. See Exhibit 1.2.2.
Exhibit 1.2.2 Cubic-Pricing Tiers
1.2.3 Determining Cubic-Tier Measurements for Rectangular and Nonrectangular Parcels
Follow these steps to determine the cubic-tier measurement for rectangular and nonrectangular parcels:
a. Measure in inches the length, width, and height at each dimension’s maximum point. Round down (see 604.7.0) each measurement to the nearest 1/4 inch. For example, 6-1/8" x 5-7/8" x 6-3/8" is rounded down to 6" x 5-3/4" x 6-1/4".
b. Multiply the length by the width by the height and divide by 1,728. For example: 6" x 5-3/4" x 6-1/4" = 215.6 divided by 1,728 = 0.125. (This piece exceeds 0.10 – Tier 1 threshold.) It is calculated at Tier 2 – 0.101 to 0.20.
1.2.4 Determining Cubic-Tier Measurement for Soft Pack and Padded Envelopes
Cubic-tier measurements for soft pack (poly, plastic, cloth, or similar soft packaging) and padded envelopes are based, in inches, on the outside dimensions of length plus width of the original packaging material. Pleated (e.g., expandable) mailpieces must meet the measurement guidelines in 1.4.3 to be eligible for cubic pricing. Determine cubic-tier measurements as follows:
a. Measure the length and width separately in inches.
b. Round down (see 604.7.0) each measurement to the nearest 1/4 inch. For example, 10-1/8 inches is rounded down to 10 inches.
c. Add the two measurements. The maximum total of length plus width must not exceed 36 inches. See Exhibit 1.2.4 for corresponding price tiers.
Exhibit 1.2.4 Cubic-Pricing Tiers for Soft Pack and Padded Envelopes
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4.0 Price Eligibility for Parcel Select and Parcel Select Lightweight
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4.2 Parcel Select Ground Price Eligibility
[Revise the introductory text of 4.2 to read as follows:]
To qualify for Parcel Select Ground prices, including Parcel Select Ground cubic, mailings must meet one of the following volume thresholds:
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254 Postage Payment and Documentation
1.0 Basic Standards for Postage Payment
1.1 Postage Payment Options
1.1.1 Parcel Select Destination Entry and Ground
[Revise the introductory text of 1.1.1 to read as follows:]
Parcel Select destination entry and ground postage (including cubic) may be paid as follows:
* * * * *
255 Mail Preparation
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[Add new 8.0 to read as follows:]
8.0 Preparing a Cubic Mailing
Cubic mailpieces for multiple price tiers may be combined in the same container.
* * * * *
600 Basic Standards for All Mailing Services
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608 Postal Information and Resources
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9.0 Postal Zones
9.1 Basis
[Revise the text of 9.1 to read as follows:]
Postal prices for certain subclasses of mail are based on the weight of the individual piece and the distance that the piece travels from origin to destination (i.e., the number of postal zones crossed). For the administration of these postal zones the centroid (geometric center) of each 3-digit ZIP Code area or combination of 3-digit ZIP Code areas are calculated. Postal zones are based on the distance between these units of area. The distance is measured from the centroid of the 3-digit ZIP Code area serving the origin Post Office to the centroid of the 3-digit ZIP Code area serving the destination Post Office. The 3-digit ZIP Code areas serving the origin and destination Post Offices are determined by using Labeling List L002, Column A.
9.2 Application
[Revise the introductory text of 9.2, as well as the text and footnote of item a. to read as follows:]
Zones are used to compute postage on zoned mail sent between 3-digit ZIP Code areas, including Military Post Offices (MPOs), as follows:
a. For purposes of computing postal zone information, except for items 9.2b and 9.2c, the following table applies to MPOs listed in L002, Column A:
* * * * *
[Delete the last three sentences of item c.]
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9.4 Specific Zones
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9.4.2 Nonlocal Zone
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[Revise the first sentence of item a. to read as follows:]
a. The zone 1 price applies to pieces not eligible for the local zone in 9.4.1 that are mailed between two Post Offices with the same 3-digit ZIP Code prefix identified in L002, Column A.***
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Index and Appendices
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Index
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P
* * * * *
Parcel Select
[Under the Parcel Select entry, add “cubic, 253.2.1” alphabetically.]
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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,
Product Solutions, 6-30-22
