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Summary of Changes

The Summary of Changes lists revisions to this edition of Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) by effective date.

Summary of Changes by Effective Date

May 7, 2012

Change in Dimensions for Standard Mail Saturation Flats with Simplified Addresses

We revised 301 and 602 to change the size of pieces allowed as Standard Mail saturation flats when those pieces bear simplified addresses. We published this information in the April 19, 2012, Postal Bulletin.

New Content Identification Number Codes for Use with Priority Mail Open and Distribute Shipments

We revised 705.18.0 and Exhibit 708.6.2.4 to provide an expanded choice of content identification number (CIN) codes for use with Priority Mail Open and Distribute (PMOD) shipments. We published this information in the March 22, 2012, Postal Bulletin.

April 1, 2012

District Consolidations—ZIP Code Realignments

We revised 608.4.0 to align various 3-Digit ZIP Code service areas with the appropriate Manager Business Mail Entry District listing. We published this information in the March 8, 2012, Postal Bulletin.

Increase eBay Insurance Indemnity Limit

We revised 503.1.0 to align the maximum indemnity for all sources of domestic postal insurance to the same $5000 limit. We published this information in the March 8, 2012, Postal Bulletin.

Optional Preparation for FSS Zones When Combining Mailings of Standard Mail and Periodicals Flats

We revised 705.15.0 to provide an option for mailers authorized to combine mailings of Standard Mail and Periodicals flats to also prepare these mailings in accordance with the FSS preparation standards under 705.14.0, and we revised 708.7.1 to describe the new optional endorsement line (OEL) standards when these two mailing options are used together. We published this information in the February 23, 2012, Postal Bulletin.

Shipper Paid Forwarding—Treatment of Mail

We revised 507.1.0 to clarify the treatment of mail for Shipper Paid Forwarding service. We published this information in the February 23, 2012, Postal Bulletin.

March 5, 2012

Centralization of Bundling Standards

We revised various sections to consolidate and centralize most of the bundling standards for letters, flats, and parcels in a new section 601.2.0. We also relocate and consolidate current packaging and cushioning standards into renumbered section 601.2.0. We published this information in the February 9, 2012, Postal Bulletin.

Changes in Sack and Container Label Specifications to Accommodate Standard Mail Marketing Parcels

We revised Exhibit 708.6.2.4 to change the content line of sack and container labels of carrier route Standard Mail Marketing parcels. We published this information in the February 9, 2012, Postal Bulletin.

Shipper Paid Forwarding

We revised sections 507.1.0, 507.2.0 and 507.4.0 to clarify the use of ancillary service endorsements for Shipper Paid Forwarding, the Parcel Select Additional Service fee, and the use of the PS Form 3546, Forwarding Order Change Notice. We published this information in the February 9, 2012, Postal Bulletin.

January 22, 2012

New Standards for Domestic Mailing Services

We revised various sections to reflect price adjustments and mailing requirements changes associated with the October 2011 filing with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC). We published this information in the December 29, 2011, Postal Bulletin.

Domestic Shipping Services Pricing and Mailing Standards Changes

We revised various sections, to reflect changes to prices and mailing standards for the following Shipping Services: Express Mail, Priority Mail, First-Class Package Service, Parcel Select, Parcel Return Service, Mailer Services, Recipient Services. We published this information in the December 15, 2011, Postal Bulletin.

Combined Mailings of Standard Mail and Periodicals Flats

We added a new section, 705.15.0, providing optional standards for combining Standard Mail flats and Periodicals flats within the same bundle, when placed on pallets; and for combining bundles of Standard Mail flats and bundles of Periodicals flats on the same pallet.We published this information in the October 6, 2011, Postal Bulletin.

Periodicals PS Form 3541-M - Discontinued

We revised 707.17.5.1 to revise the practice of submitting one Periodicals postage statement for all issues mailed in a calendar month. We published this information in the November 3, 2011, Postal Bulletin.

Priority Mail Commercial Plus Cubic Packaging Alternatives

We revised 402.2.2, 423.1.4, and 425.2.3 to introduce two new Priority Mail Commercial Plus Cubic packaging alternatives—soft-pack envelopes and padded envelopes. We published this information in the November 3, 2011, Postal Bulletin.

Intelligent Mail Package Barcode Implementation for Commercial Parcels

We revised various sections to provide new standards for the use of Intelligent Mail package barcodes (IMpb). We published this information in the November 17, 2011, Postal Bulletin.

Combined Mailings of Standard Mail and Periodicals Flats—Clarification

We revised 705.15.0, to reflect standards changes related to combined mailings of Standard Mail and Periodicals flats. We published this information in the December 1, 2011, Postal Bulletin.

Copalletized, Combined, or Mixed-Price Level Palletized Mailings—Correction

We revised 705.8.7.4 to clarify that the presort level of Standard Mail letter-size pieces that are part of a copalletized or combined mailing must accurately reflect the postage and entry discount paid at the origin site. We published this information in the December 1, 2011, Postal Bulletin.

Eligibility for Destination Entry Prices per NDC and ASF Labeling Lists

We revised various sections to delete destination network distribution center (DNDC) eligibility Exhibits 246.3.1, 346.3.1, 366.4.1, 446.3.1, 453.3.1.3, and 466.4.4. We published this information in the December 1, 2011, Postal Bulletin.

Products Mailable at Nonprofit Standard Mail Prices

We revised 703.1.6.11 to indicate that products mailed at Nonprofit Standard Mail prices must meet at least one of three exceptions. A low-cost item is one of the exceptions referenced in the Internal Revenue Code. We published this information in the December 15, 2011, Postal Bulletin.

Express Mail Domestic Postage Refund Policy and Waiver of Signature

We revised various sections to modify the policy for filing claims for domestic Express Mail postage refunds from 90 days to 30 days after the date of mailing. We published this information in the December 15, 2011, Postal Bulletin.

Antique Firearms—Clarification

We revised 601.12.1.1a to clarify that antique firearms that meet the definition of a handgun according to USPS standards are also subject to the mailing requirements in 601.12.2 through 601.12.7. We published this information in the December 29, 2011, Postal Bulletin.