Effective November 2, 2026, the Postal Service™ will revise Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®), sections 703.5.2.3 and 703.5.3, to clarify standards for mailing “Free Matter for the Blind and Other Physically Handicapped Persons” containing hazardous material.
The Postal Service is revising section 703.5.2.3 to reflect that eligible matter mailed as “Free Matter for the Blind and Other Physically Handicapped Persons” that may contain mailable hazardous material (e.g., lithium batteries) must be labeled under DMM 202.9.0 and meet the applicable requirements in Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail.
The Postal Service is also revising the text of items 703.5.3b and 703.5.3c for clarity.
Although these revisions will not be published in the DMM until November 2, 2026, the standards are effective immediately.
Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)
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700 Special Standards
703 Nonprofit USPS Marketing Mail and Other Unique Eligibility
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5.0 Free Matter for the Blind and Other Physically Handicapped Persons
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5.2 Matter Sent to Blind or Other Physically Handicapped Persons
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5.2.3 Conditions
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[Add new item e. to read as follows:]
e. Eligible items mailed under 5.2.2 containing hazardous material must be labeled under 202.9.0 and meet applicable requirements in Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail.
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5.3 Matter Sent by Blind or Other Physically Handicapped Persons
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[Revise the text of items b. and c. to read as follows, respectively:]
b. Eligible matter under 5.2.2, meeting the conditions under 5.2.3, may be returned free of postage.
c. Eligible matter under 5.2.2, meeting the conditions under 5.2.3, may be exchanged free of postage among eligible blind or other physically handicapped persons.
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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, 8-20-26
