4-2.1 Advanced and Optional Preparations

4-2.1.1 Accept Misshipped Containers Option

Mailers can choose to allow the Postal Service to accept misshipped containers. These containers are inducted into processing if they are entered at a different location from what the mailer provided in the eDoc or different from what is allowed by the current Mail Direction File. The Postal Service systems log a Misshipped Error for such containers. The error may result in an assessment if the mailer has claimed destination entry discount rates on the container (see Misshipped Postage Assessment in 4-3.3.4.5).

Instructions for identifying containers as “Accept Misship” in the eDoc can be found in the USPS Technical Specifications for Mail.dat and Mail.xml https://postalpro.usps.com/mailing/techspecs.

4-2.1.2 eInduction Continuous MID

Mailers who cannot generate a finalized electronic postage statement two hours before container entry may request approval for an eInduction Continuous MID. Once approved, mailers may enter any container with the approved MID in the IMcb prior to the receipt of electronic documentation. Mailers are required to submit an eDoc and generate a finalized postage statement for all eInduction Continuous MID containers within one calendar day of the unload scan.

MIDs are registered as eInduction Continuous MIDs via the BCG. The Postal Service must approve the mailer request before the mailer may participate in the continuous induction process.

Any container that contains an eInduction Continuous MID in the IMcb is considered an eInduction container, regardless of how the eInduction field is completed in the mailer’s eDoc. Mailers entering containers using an eInduction Continuous MID agree to pay any assessment that results from an error logged on the containers.

Containers that include an approved eInduction Continuous MID in the container IMcb are accepted at entry regardless of eDoc/payment status and entry location. Dock employees are not notified that a container has a payment issue or that the container is misshipped.

Information on requesting an eInduction Continuous MID is available in the Guide to Streamlined Mail Acceptance for Letters and Flats Reporting, found here: https://postalpro.usps.gov/MailAcceptanceReportingGuide.

4-2.1.3 Logical Containers in eInduction

eInduction is available for mailings that contain logical containers. Logical containers allow mailers to link payment for pieces to physical containers when reporting of nesting data is not possible. Preparation of logical containers is detailed in 705.20 of the DMM and in the Mail.dat Technical Specifications and Mail.XML Technical Specifications at: https://postalpro.usps.com/mailing/techspecs.

For eInduction, the logical container must have at least one physical container of a type valid for eInduction. All physical containers inherit the eInduction status and entry facility information from the logical container. All physical containers must be identified with an IMcb in the eDoc and be placarded with that IMcb.

4-2.1.4 Drop Shipment Management Systems (DSMS)

Mailers using the Drop Shipment Management Systems (DSMS) may participate in eInduction. Containers may not be released from a consolidator’s facility until all electronic postage statements associated with the container are in a Finalized (FIN) or Finalized Pending Payment (FPP) status, and until the shipment has been released by a Postal Service Acceptance Employee in the DSMS system.

Mailers may automate the DSMS release process for eInduction containers. The Postal Service validates that the DSMS system properly uses the eInduction container status to authorize release of containers for shipment to the entry facility.

Mailers participating in Seamless Acceptance and eInduction have their DSMS authorization rescinded, and the release process is returned to the mailer to manage. At this point, the mailer is no longer authorized to create and print PS Form 8125-C, which does not require a Postal Service acceptance signature or round date. Any container that is not identified as eInduction must be presented with hardcopy PS Form 8125 at a Business Mail Entry Unit or approved Detached Mail Unit where The Postal Service Acceptance Employee must sign and date the form prior to inducting the containers into a postal facility.

4-2.1.5 Co-palletized Mailings

Mailers who consolidate mailings at the container level may participate in eInduction.

The entity that creates the consolidated containers (consolidator) must submit an eDoc that contains the required information on the physical containers. The consolidator controls the eInduction status of the containers created and is considered the eDoc submitter for error logging.

Both parties in the consolidation process must have a CRID that is activated for eInduction.

There is no eInduction requirement that all containers on a truck load/appointment participate in eInduction.

4-2.1.6 Modifying eInduction Container Status

Mailers and third parties may modify the eInduction status of a container prior to delivery to a Postal Service entry facility and after electronic postage statement finalization. A container that moves from participating in eInduction (eInduction field = Y) to not participating (eInduction field = N) after departure from the verification location must be included on a PS Forms 8017/8125/8125-C when delivered to the Postal Service entry point. Container status must be updated 2 hours prior to induction. Details on updating container status with Mail.dat updates and Mail.XML messages are in the Mail.dat and Mail.XML Technical Specifications: https://postalpro.usps.com/mailing/techspecs.

4-2.1.7 Mixed Load

A mailer shipment may include both containers participating in eInduction and containers not participating in eInduction by using paper PS Forms 8017/8125/8125-C for all non-eInduction containers delivered during the appointment.