Effective July 14, 2024, the Postal Service™ will revise Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®), section 601.6.1, to update mailing standards for Postal Service customers using USPS-produced packaging.
Currently, section 601.6.1 includes standards for using product-specific USPS-produced packaging. The Postal Service is replacing the standards in section 601.6.1 with standards that apply to using all USPS-produced packaging, regardless of the product.
While the revision includes examples of product-specific USPS-produced packaging (Priority Mail Express® and Priority Mail®), this change will help the Postal Service continue to apply the standard to USPS-produced packaging use as the Postal Service develops USPS-produced packaging for existing and new products and customized USPS-produced packaging.
Although the Postal Service will not publish this revision in the DMM until July 14, 2024, this standard is effective immediately.
Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)
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600 Basic Standards for All Mailing Services
601 Availability
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6.0 Mailing Containers — Special Types of Envelopes and Packaging
[Revise the title and text of 6.1 to read as follows:]
6.1 USPS-Produced Packaging
All USPS-produced packaging (including Flat Rate packaging) must be used only for the applicable product (e.g., Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail). The mailer of any matter mailed in USPS-produced packaging, regardless of how the packaging is reconfigured or how markings may be obliterated, is charged the appropriate product price. USPS-produced packaging is not eligible for shipping mailable hazardous material or live animals.
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The Postal Service will incorporate this revision into the next edition of the online DMM, which is available via Postal Explorer® at pe.usps.com.
— Product Classification,
Product Solutions, 4-18-24
