Effective November 2, 2026, the Postal Service™ will revise Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®), section 703.5.0, to clarify that parcels mailed as Free Matter for the Blind and Other Physically Handicapped Persons (Free Matter) will not be subject to the Hazmat (Hazardous Materials) Handling Fee and that pieces mailed by commercial mailers under the standards for Free Matter are subject to the Hazmat Noncompliance Fee.
The Postal Service is also revising the DMM to reflect that the Postal Service is adding to its standards governing Free Matter a requirement that all parcels bear an Intelligent Mail® package barcode (IMpb®) and an Intelligent Mail matrix barcode (IMmb™).
This requirement will benefit mailers by providing customers with the ability to track their packages. It will also allow the Postal Service better visibility in processing these packages to achieve the expected expeditious handling and delivery of the mailpiece.
The barcode will require mailers to use specific Hazmat service-type codes (STC). This requirement will improve processing and transportation safety.
Commercial mailers of mailpieces not meeting the requirement for using a unique IMpb and IMmb, as outlined in the DMM and Publication 199, Intelligent Mail Package Barcode (IMpb) Implementation Guide for Confirmation Services and Electronic Payment Systems, will be subject to the Package Quality Noncompliance Fee listed in the Notice 123 — Price List.
Although these revisions will not be published in the DMM until November 2, 2026, these standards will become effective October 4, 2026.
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
5.1 Basic Information
5.1.1 General
[Revise the first sentence of 5.1.1 to read as follows:]
Subject to the standards below, matter may be entered free of postage and is not subject to the Hazmat Handling Fee if mailed by or for the use of blind or other persons who cannot read or use conventionally printed materials due to a physical handicap.***
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5.4 Preparation
5.4.1 Basic Standards
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[Add a new item d. to the text of 5.4.1 to read as follows:]
d. Must bear an Intelligent Mail package barcode (IMpb) and an Intelligent Mail matrix barcode (IMmb) prepared under 204.2.0 for parcels mailed under this standard (outbound and returns). Commercial mailers of mailpieces not meeting the requirements for using a unique IMpb and IMmb, as outlined in 204.2.1.6 and Publication 199, Intelligent Mail Package Barcode (IMpb) Implementation Guide for Confirmation Services and Electronic Payment Systems, will be subject to the Package Quality Noncompliance Fee (see Notice 123 — Price List). For details, see PostalPro at postalpro.usps.com.
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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, 9-17-26
