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M000 General Preparation Standards
M070 Mixed Classes
M074 Plant Load Mailings
Summary
M074 describes the standards for preparing plant-loaded mailings for First-Class Mail, Periodicals, and Standard Mail.
1.0 Mailer Responsibilities
1.1General
The plant load mailer must meet the terms of the plant load agreement and the standards that apply to the class of mail prepared, rates claimed, and method of paying postage used.
1.2Verification at USPS Facility
If mail verification does not occur at the mailer’s plant, the mailer must:
a. Keep a plant load control log with a copy of each postage statement, numbered sequentially; the number of each vehicle used to transport plant-loaded mail; and the name of the postal facility where verification is to occur.
b. Not shrinkwrap or otherwise secure the mail to inhibit verification.
c. Correct preparation errors found in the mail when verified or pay additional postage at the rate for which it qualifies.
1.3Postage
Unless otherwise permitted by standard, the mailer must pay all applicable postage and fees to the origin post office before a plant-loaded mailing is dispatched.
2.0 IntraDISTRICT Plant-loaded Shipments
Intradistrict plant-loaded shipments must fill 50% or more of a vehicle by weight or cube (a minimum of 23,000 pounds or 1,600 cubic feet).
3.0 InterDISTRICT Plant-loaded Shipments
3.1One Mailing
The mailer must prepare interdistrict plant-loaded vehicles containing one mailing under 3.2 through 3.4 as appropriate to the class of mail.
3.2First-Class Mail
For plant-loaded shipments of First-Class Mail:
a. If there is enough mail for the same SCF service area to fill 60% or more of a vehicle by weight or by cube (a minimum of 28,000 pounds or 2,000 cubic feet), the mailer must prepare a direct vehicle for that SCF.
b. After making up all possible SCF vehicles, if there is enough mail for the same ADC service area to fill 60% or more of a vehicle by weight or by cube, the mailer must prepare a direct vehicle for that ADC.
3.3Periodicals
For plant-loaded shipments of Periodicals:
a. If there is enough mail for the same SCF service area to fill 60% or more of a vehicle by weight or by cube, the mailer must prepare a direct vehicle for that SCF.
b. After making up all possible SCF vehicles, if there is enough mail for the same ADC service area to fill 60% or more of a vehicle by weight or by cube, the mailer must prepare a direct vehicle for that ADC.
c. After making up all possible SCF and ADC vehicles, if there is enough mail for the same transfer hub service area to fill 60% or more of a vehicle by weight or by cube, the mailer must prepare a direct vehicle for that transfer hub.
3.4Standard Mail and Package Services
For plant-loaded shipments of Standard Mail and Package Services:
a. If there is enough mail for the same SCF service area to fill 60% or more of a vehicle by weight or by cube (a minimum of 28,000 pounds or 2,000 cubic feet), the mailer must prepare a direct vehicle for that SCF.
b. After making up all possible SCF vehicles, if there is enough mail for the same ASF or BMC service area to fill 60% or more of a vehicle by weight or by cube, the mailer must prepare a direct vehicle for that BMC or ASF.
3.5Two or More Mailings
The mailer must prepare interdistrict plant-loaded vehicles containing two or more mailings under 3.6 and 3.7 as appropriate to the class of mail.
3.6Insufficient Volume
Two or more mailings that independently have insufficient volume to require direct destination vehicles to be prepared may be combined to make up an origin vehicle without meeting the standards in 3.7.
3.7Sufficient Volume
Two or more mailings, which independently have sufficient volume to require destination vehicles to be prepared, must meet these standards when combined:
a. For First-Class Mail, if there is enough mail for the same ADC service area to fill 60% or more of a vehicle by weight or by cube, the mailer must prepare a direct vehicle for the ADC.
b. For Periodicals, if there is enough mail for the service area of the same transfer hub to fill 60% or more of a vehicle by weight or by cube, the mailer must prepare a direct vehicle for that transfer hub.
c. For Standard Mail and Package Services, if there is enough mail for the same ASF or BMC service area to fill 60% or more of a vehicle by weight or by cube, the mailer must prepare a direct vehicle for that ASF or BMC.
3.8Destination
The preparation standards for plant-loaded vehicles are determined by the destination of the mailings accepted by the USPS at the mailer’s plant.
3.9Two Options
If a plant-loaded mailing does not meet the preparation standards for plant-loaded vehicles under 3.1 through 3.8, the mailer has two options:
a. Rework the mailing so that it meets the applicable standard. If the mailing is verified and accepted as mail by the USPS at the mailer’s plant and then it is determined that the vehicle preparation standards are not met, the mailer must rework the mailing.
b. Transport the mailing at the mailer’s expense to a postal facility within the origin service area designated by the origin postmaster and with the capability to process that class of mail. If this option is chosen, all applicable postage statements must be provided with the mailings.
DMM Issue 58 (8-10-03)