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  DMM TOC > 100 Retail Letters, Cards, Flats, and Parcels > 150 Parcel Post

153 Rates and Eligibility

1.0 Parcel Post Rates and Fees

1.1 Rate Eligibility

There are two Parcel Post retail rate categories: Intra-BMC and Inter-BMC. Intra-BMC and Inter-BMC Parcel Post rates are calculated based on the zone to which the parcel is addressed and the weight of the parcel. Requirements for Parcel Post rates and discounts are as follows:

a. Intra-BMC rates apply to all Parcel Post that originates and destinates in the service area of the same BMC or ASF. Intra-BMC rates also apply to Parcel Post that originates and destinates in the same state for Alaska and Hawaii and in the same territory for Puerto Rico. See Exhibit 1.1, BMC/ASF Service Areas. Nonmachinable pieces (101.3.2, Machinable Parcels, and 101.7.2, Nonmachinable Parcel Post Standards) mailed at Intra-BMC rates are subject to a nonmachinable surcharge in addition to postage.

b. Inter-BMC rates apply to all Parcel Post that originates in the service area of a BMC or ASF or in Alaska, Hawaii, or Puerto Rico and destinates outside that area, state, or territory. Nonmachinable pieces (101.3.2, Machinable Parcels, and 101.7.2, Nonmachinable Parcel Post Standards) mailed at Inter-BMC rates are subject to a nonmachinable surcharge in addition to postage.

c. The oversized rate applies to pieces that measure over 108 inches but not more than 130 inches in combined length and girth.

d. Items that weigh less than 15 pounds but measure more than 84 inches in combined length and girth are charged the rate for a 15-pound parcel for the zone to which it is addressed.

Exhibit 1.1 BMC/ASF Service Areas

Service area

zip code areas served

BMC

 

New Jersey

005, 068-079, 085-098, 100-119, 124-127

Springfield

010-067, 120-123, 128, 129

Philadelphia

080-084, 137-139, 169-199

Pittsburgh

150-168, 260-266, 439-447

Washington

200-212, 214-239, 244, 254, 267, 268

Greensboro

240-243, 245-249, 270-297, 376

Cincinnati

250-253, 255-259, 400-418, 421, 422, 425-427, 430-433, 437, 438, 448-462, 469-474

Atlanta

298, 300-312, 317-319, 350-352, 354-368, 373, 374, 377-379, 398, 399.

Jacksonville

299, 313-316, 320-342, 344, 346, 347, 349.

Memphis

369-372, 375, 380-397, 700, 701, 703-705, 707, 708, 713, 714, 716, 717, 719-729

St. Louis

420, 423, 424, 475-479, 614-620, 622-631, 633-639

Detroit

434-436, 465-468, 480-497

Chicago

463, 464, 530-532, 534, 535, 537-539, 600-611, 613

Minneapolis/St. Paul

498, 499, 540-551, 553-564, 566

Des Moines

500-516, 520-528, 612, 680, 681, 683-689

Kansas City

640, 641, 644-658, 660-662, 664-679, 739

Denver

690-693, 800-816, 820, 822-831, 856, 857

Dallas

706, 710-712, 718, 733, 747, 750-799, 885

Seattle

835, 838, 970-978, 980-986, 988-994

Los Angeles

889-891, 893, 900-908, 910-928, 930-935

San Francisco

894, 895, 897, 936-966

ASF

 

Buffalo

130-136, 140-149

Fargo

565, 567, 580-588

Sioux Falls

570-577

Billings

590-599, 821

Oklahoma City

730, 731, 734-738, 740, 741, 743-746, 748, 749

Salt Lake City

832-834, 836, 837, 840-847, 898, 979

Phoenix

850, 852, 853, 855, 859, 860, 863, 864

Albuquerque

865, 870-875, 877-884

Other

 

Puerto Rico

006-009

Hawaii

967-969

Alaska

995-999

 

1.2 Determining Single-Piece Weight

To determine single-piece weight in any mailing of nonidentical-weight pieces, weigh each piece individually. To determine single-piece weight in a mailing of identical-weight pieces, weigh a sample group of at least 10 randomly selected pieces and divide the total sample weight by the number of pieces in the sample. Express all single-piece weights in decimal pounds rounded off to four decimal places.

1.3 Parcel Post Rate Application

The Parcel Post rate is charged per pound or fraction thereof; any fraction of a pound is considered a whole pound. For example, if an item weighs 4.225 pounds, the weight (postage) increment is 5 pounds. The minimum postage rate per piece is the 1-pound rate.

1.4 Computing Postage—Parcel Post With Permit Imprint

To compute the total postage for a mailing, for each weight increment, multiply the number of pieces by the applicable rate per piece.

1.5 Computing Postage—Parcel Post With Postage Affixed

For each piece, affix the postage for the weight increment (including any surcharges) and the zone to which the piece is addressed, as shown in 1.7 through 1.11 in Parcel Post Rates and Fees.

1.6 Pickup Fees

Parcel Post only, per occurrence: $13.25.

May be combined with Express Mail and Priority Mail pickups (see 507.5.0, Pickup Service).

1.7 Inter-BMC/ASF Machinable Parcel Post

For barcoded discount, deduct $0.03 per parcel (50-piece minimum). Parcels that weigh less than 15 pounds but measure more than 84 inches (but not more than 108 inches) in combined length and girth are charged the applicable rate for a 15-pound parcel.

1.8 Inter-BMC/ASF Nonmachinable Parcel Post

Rates include the $2.90 nonmachinable surcharge. Regardless of weight, a parcel that meets any of the criteria in 101.7.2, Nonmachinable Parcel Post Standards, must pay the rate listed in this table. Parcels that weigh less than 15 pounds but measure more than 84 inches (but not more than 108 inches) in combined length and girth are charged the applicable rate for a 15-pound parcel. Regardless of weight, a parcel that measures more than 108 inches (but not more than 130 inches) in combined length and girth must pay the oversized rate. The nonmachinable surcharge does not apply to parcels mailed at oversized rates or parcels sent with special handling.

1.9 Inter-BMC/ASF Machinable and Nonmachinable Parcel Post Rates

See Exhibit 1.9, Inter-BMC/ASF Machinable and Nonmachinable Parcel Post Rates.

Exhibit 1.90

Weight
Not Over
(pounds)

Machinable1234

Nonmachinable1245

Zone

Zone

1 & 2

3

4

5

6

7

8

1 & 2

3

4

5

6

7

8

1

$3.89

$3.95

$3.95

$3.95

$3.95

$3.95

$3.95

$6.79

$6.85

$6.85

$6.85

$6.85

$6.85

$6.85

2

4.06

4.06

4.36

4.36

4.73

4.73

4.73

6.96

6.96

7.26

7.26

7.63

7.63

7.63

3

4.90

4.90

5.85

5.96

6.02

6.08

6.66

7.80

7.80

8.75

8.86

8.92

8.98

9.56

4

5.12

5.48

6.63

7.30

7.53

7.59

8.29

8.02

8.38

9.53

10.20

10.43

10.49

11.19

5

5.30

6.02

7.31

8.17

9.04

9.11

9.94

8.20

8.92

10.21

11.07

11.94

12.01

12.84

6

5.93

6.33

7.84

8.96

10.03

10.43

12.11

8.83

9.23

10.74

11.86

12.93

13.33

15.01

7

6.11

6.62

8.34

9.70

10.91

12.01

13.52

9.01

9.52

11.24

12.60

13.81

14.91

16.42

8

6.30

6.88

8.75

10.37

11.71

13.22

15.85

9.20

9.78

11.65

13.27

14.61

16.12

18.75

9

6.44

7.13

9.21

11.01

12.47

14.10

17.96

9.34

10.03

12.11

13.91

15.37

17.00

20.86

10

6.62

7.98

9.59

11.60

13.18

14.94

19.12

9.52

10.88

12.49

14.50

16.08

17.84

22.02

11

6.76

8.22

9.98

12.16

13.84

15.73

20.18

9.66

11.12

12.88

15.06

16.74

18.63

23.08

12

6.89

8.44

10.33

12.69

14.46

16.46

21.19

9.79

11.34

13.23

15.59

17.36

19.36

24.09

13

7.03

8.63

10.67

13.19

15.05

17.15

22.12

9.93

11.53

13.57

16.09

17.95

20.05

25.02

14

7.17

8.87

10.99

13.65

15.61

17.81

23.02

10.07

11.77

13.89

16.55

18.51

20.71

25.92

15

7.29

9.07

11.31

14.10

16.14

18.43

23.86

10.19

11.97

14.21

17.00

19.04

21.33

26.76

16

7.40

9.26

11.59

14.52

16.64

19.02

24.67

10.30

12.16

14.49

17.42

19.54

21.92

27.57

17

7.54

9.42

11.89

14.92

17.12

19.59

25.43

10.44

12.32

14.79

17.82

20.02

22.49

28.33

18

7.64

9.60

12.14

15.30

17.58

20.12

26.16

10.54

12.50

15.04

18.20

20.48

23.02

29.06

19

7.77

9.78

12.41

15.67

18.01

20.64

26.86

10.67

12.68

15.31

18.57

20.91

23.54

29.76

20

7.86

9.94

12.63

16.02

18.42

21.13

27.53

10.76

12.84

15.53

18.92

21.32

24.03

30.43

21

7.98

10.11

12.86

16.36

18.82

21.60

28.16

10.88

13.01

15.76

19.26

21.72

24.50

31.06

22

8.07

10.24

13.09

16.67

19.20

22.05

28.77

10.97

13.14

15.99

19.57

22.10

24.95

31.67

23

8.18

10.42

13.33

16.98

19.57

22.47

29.35

11.08

13.32

16.23

19.88

22.47

25.37

32.25

24

8.25

10.55

13.52

17.28

19.92

22.89

29.92

11.15

13.45

16.42

20.18

22.82

25.79

32.82

25

8.36

10.69

13.73

17.56

20.26

23.28

30.46

11.26

13.59

16.63

20.46

23.16

26.18

33.36

26

8.44

10.82

13.92

17.83

20.58

23.67

30.98

11.34

13.72

16.82

20.73

23.48

26.57

33.88

27

8.55

10.96

14.10

18.10

20.90

24.04

31.48

11.45

13.86

17.00

21.00

23.80

26.94

34.38

28

8.62

11.09

14.31

18.35

21.20

24.39

31.96

11.52

13.99

17.21

21.25

24.10

27.29

34.86

29

8.72

11.23

14.49

18.59

21.49

24.74

32.42

11.62

14.13

17.39

21.49

24.39

27.64

35.32

30

8.80

11.34

14.65

18.83

21.77

25.06

32.87

11.70

14.24

17.55

21.73

24.67

27.96

35.77

31

8.90

11.45

14.82

19.06

22.04

25.38

33.31

11.80

14.35

17.72

21.96

24.94

28.28

36.21

32

8.96

11.58

14.99

19.28

22.30

25.69

33.73

11.86

14.48

17.89

22.18

25.20

28.59

36.63

33

9.04

11.70

15.16

19.49

22.56

25.98

34.13

11.94

14.60

18.06

22.39

25.46

28.88

37.03

34

9.13

11.78

15.29

19.70

22.80

26.28

34.52

12.03

14.68

18.19

22.60

25.70

29.18

37.42

35

9.21

11.91

15.45

19.90

23.03

26.55

34.90

12.11

14.81

18.35

22.80

25.93

29.45

37.80

36

For parcels over 35 pounds, use nonmachinable rates.

$12.18

$14.91

$18.52

$22.99

$26.16

$29.72

$38.16

37

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

12.25

15.00

18.64

23.17

26.38

29.98

38.51

38

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

12.32

15.13

18.78

23.36

26.59

30.23

38.86

39

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

12.41

15.20

18.91

23.53

26.80

30.48

39.19

40

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

12.48

15.32

19.05

23.70

27.00

30.72

39.52

41

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

12.57

15.42

19.17

23.86

27.21

30.95

39.83

42

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

12.63

15.51

19.30

24.02

27.39

31.17

40.14

43

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

12.68

15.60

19.43

24.18

27.57

31.39

40.43

44

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

12.75

15.67

19.54

24.33

27.75

31.60

40.72

45

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

12.82

15.78

19.67

24.48

27.93

31.81

40.99

46

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

12.89

15.86

19.79

24.62

28.10

32.01

41.27

47

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

12.98

15.96

19.89

24.76

28.26

32.20

41.53

48

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

13.03

16.04

20.02

24.89

28.43

32.39

41.78

49

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

13.08

16.13

20.12

25.02

28.58

32.57

42.04

50

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

13.14

16.19

20.21

25.15

28.73

32.75

42.28

51

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

13.22

16.29

20.33

25.28

28.88

32.93

42.52

52

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

13.27

16.37

20.43

25.39

29.03

33.10

42.74

53

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

13.35

16.43

20.50

25.51

29.17

33.27

42.97

54

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

13.40

16.54

20.62

25.62

29.30

33.42

43.18

55

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

13.45

16.57

20.72

25.74

29.43

33.58

43.41

56

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

13.53

16.69

20.81

25.85

29.57

33.73

43.61

57

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

13.59

16.75

20.91

25.95

29.69

33.88

43.82

58

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

13.64

16.82

20.99

26.06

29.81

34.02

44.01

59

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

13.71

16.89

21.09

26.16

29.94

34.17

44.21

60

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

13.77

16.96

21.19

26.26

30.05

34.31

44.39

61

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

13.85

17.06

21.26

26.35

30.17

34.44

44.58

62

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

13.90

17.11

21.35

26.45

30.27

34.57

44.75

63

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

13.94

17.19

21.44

26.54

30.39

34.70

44.92

64

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

13.99

17.24

21.51

26.63

30.49

34.83

45.09

65

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

14.05

17.32

21.60

26.72

30.60

34.95

45.26

66

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

14.13

17.39

21.67

26.80

30.69

35.07

45.43

67

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

14.19

17.46

21.76

26.89

30.80

35.18

45.59

68

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

14.23

17.52

21.85

26.97

30.89

35.30

45.73

69

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

14.28

17.57

21.92

27.05

30.99

35.41

45.89

70

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

14.35

17.66

22.00

27.12

31.08

35.52

46.04

Oversized

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

43.95

49.25

57.04

69.40

83.99

97.82

127.24

  1. For parcels that destinate to different BMC service areas (see 153.1.1).
  2. Parcels that measure in combined length and girth:
    • More than 84 inches but not more than 108 inches, and the piece weighs less than 15 pounds, use 15‑pound rates (balloon rate).
    • More than 108 inches but not more than 130 inches, use oversized rates regardless of weight.
  3. Machinable parcels may be eligible for barcoded discount of $0.03 per parcel (50-piece minimum).
  4. Regardless of weight, a parcel that meets any of the criteria in 101.7.2 (for retail) or 401.2.3.2 (for discount) must pay the nonmachinable rate.
  5. Rates include the $2.90 nonmachinable surcharge. The nonmachinable surcharge does not apply to parcels mailed at oversized rates or parcels sent with special handling.

1.10 Local and Intra-BMC/ASF Machinable Parcel Post

Rates for parcels that originate and destinate in the same BMC service area are in Exhibit 1.12, Local and Intra-BMC/ASF Machinable and Nonmachinable Parcel Post Rates. For barcoded discount, deduct $0.03 per parcel (50-piece minimum). Parcels that weigh less than 15 pounds but measure more than 84 inches (but not more than 108 inches) in combined length and girth are charged the applicable rate for a 15-pound parcel. Regardless of weight, a parcel that meets any of the criteria in 101.7.2 must pay the rate for a nonmachinable parcel in 1.11.

1.11 Local and Intra-BMC/ASF Nonmachinable Parcel Post

Rates include the $1.42 nonmachinable surcharge. Regardless of weight, a parcel that meets any of the criteria in 101.7.2, Nonmachinable Parcel Post Standards, must pay the rate listed in this table. Parcels that weigh less than 15 pounds but measure more than 84 inches (but not more than 108 inches) in combined length and girth are charged the applicable rate for a 15-pound parcel. Regardless of weight, a parcel that measures more than 108 inches (but not more than 130 inches) in combined length and girth must pay the oversized rate. The nonmachinable surcharge does not apply to parcels mailed at oversized rates or parcels sent with special handling.

1.12 Local and Intra-BMC/ASF Machinable and Nonmachinable Parcel Post Rates

See Exhibit 1.12, Local and Intra-BMC/ASF Machinable and Nonmachinable Parcel Post Rates.

Exhibit 1.12

Weight
Not Over (pounds)

Machinable1234

Nonmachinable1245

Zone

Zone

Local

1&2

3

4

5

Local

1&2

3

4

5

1

$2.96

$3.12

$3.15

$3.21

$3.31

$4.38

$4.54

$4.57

$4.63

$4.73

2

3.30

3.72

3.75

3.83

3.94

4.72

5.14

5.17

5.25

5.36

3

3.63

4.30

4.33

4.43

4.55

5.05

5.72

5.75

5.85

5.97

4

3.93

4.51

4.87

4.97

5.12

5.35

5.93

6.29

6.39

6.54

5

4.21

4.69

5.29

5.43

5.64

5.63

6.11

6.71

6.85

7.06

6

4.46

4.86

5.67

5.81

6.11

5.88

6.28

7.09

7.23

7.53

7

4.60

5.02

6.00

6.16

6.55

6.02

6.44

7.42

7.58

7.97

8

4.70

5.62

6.30

6.47

6.96

6.12

7.04

7.72

7.89

8.38

9

4.81

5.75

6.56

6.80

7.33

6.23

7.17

7.98

8.22

8.75

10

4.91

5.93

6.88

7.10

7.67

6.33

7.35

8.30

8.52

9.09

11

5.00

6.07

7.10

7.38

7.99

6.42

7.49

8.52

8.80

9.41

12

5.10

6.23

7.31

7.65

8.29

6.52

7.65

8.73

9.07

9.71

13

5.19

6.37

7.48

7.91

8.57

6.61

7.79

8.90

9.33

9.99

14

5.27

6.49

7.61

8.17

8.83

6.69

7.91

9.03

9.59

10.25

15

5.35

6.61

7.79

8.39

9.09

6.77

8.03

9.21

9.81

10.51

16

5.45

6.72

7.97

8.60

9.32

6.87

8.14

9.39

10.02

10.74

17

5.51

6.86

8.14

8.83

9.54

6.93

8.28

9.56

10.25

10.96

18

5.59

6.96

8.29

9.03

9.74

7.01

8.38

9.71

10.45

11.16

19

5.65

7.08

8.45

9.22

9.94

7.07

8.50

9.87

10.64

11.36

20

5.75

7.19

8.60

9.39

10.12

7.17

8.61

10.02

10.81

11.54

21

5.81

7.28

8.75

9.55

10.30

7.23

8.70

10.17

10.97

11.72

22

5.87

7.40

8.87

9.70

10.46

7.29

8.82

10.29

11.12

11.88

23

5.94

7.48

9.04

9.84

10.61

7.36

8.90

10.46

11.26

12.03

24

6.01

7.58

9.17

9.97

10.77

7.43

9.00

10.59

11.39

12.19

25

6.08

7.66

9.30

10.10

10.91

7.50

9.08

10.72

11.52

12.33

26

6.13

7.77

9.41

10.23

11.05

7.55

9.19

10.83

11.65

12.47

27

6.20

7.85

9.55

10.35

11.17

7.62

9.27

10.97

11.77

12.59

28

6.26

7.93

9.68

10.45

11.30

7.68

9.35

11.10

11.87

12.72

29

6.33

8.02

9.80

10.56

11.41

7.75

9.44

11.22

11.98

12.83

30

6.41

8.11

9.91

10.67

11.52

7.83

9.53

11.33

12.09

12.94

31

6.46

8.19

9.99

10.76

11.64

7.88

9.61

11.41

12.18

13.06

32

6.51

8.28

10.12

10.87

11.73

7.93

9.70

11.54

12.29

13.15

33

6.59

8.35

10.22

10.95

11.84

8.01

9.77

11.64

12.37

13.26

34

6.64

8.43

10.31

11.04

11.92

8.06

9.85

11.73

12.46

13.34

35

6.69

8.50

10.42

11.12

12.02

8.11

9.92

11.84

12.54

13.44

36

For parcels over 35 pounds, use nonmachinable rates.

$8.17

$9.99

$11.93

$12.61

$13.52

37

---

---

---

---

---

8.21

10.08

12.02

12.70

13.60

38

---

---

---

---

---

8.26

10.15

12.12

12.77

13.68

39

---

---

---

---

---

8.33

10.23

12.22

12.83

13.75

40

---

---

---

---

---

8.39

10.28

12.30

12.90

13.83

41

---

---

---

---

---

8.45

10.38

12.41

12.96

13.90

42

---

---

---

---

---

8.50

10.43

12.49

13.04

13.96

43

---

---

---

---

---

8.56

10.49

12.57

13.10

14.02

44

---

---

---

---

---

8.63

10.57

12.66

13.16

14.07

45

---

---

---

---

---

8.67

10.62

12.73

13.33

14.12

46

---

---

---

---

---

8.71

10.72

12.82

13.38

14.17

47

---

---

---

---

---

8.78

10.79

12.89

13.44

14.23

48

---

---

---

---

---

8.83

10.84

12.98

13.48

14.28

49

---

---

---

---

---

8.87

10.92

13.06

13.53

14.33

50

---

---

---

---

---

8.92

10.95

13.13

13.57

14.38

51

---

---

---

---

---

8.99

11.04

13.19

13.63

14.44

52

---

---

---

---

---

9.02

11.11

13.30

13.67

14.49

53

---

---

---

---

---

9.07

11.14

13.35

13.70

14.54

54

---

---

---

---

---

9.14

11.20

13.39

13.75

14.60

55

---

---

---

---

---

9.19

11.26

13.44

13.80

14.65

56

---

---

---

---

---

9.22

11.33

13.48

13.85

14.70

57

---

---

---

---

---

9.27

11.40

13.50

13.87

14.75

58

---

---

---

---

---

9.33

11.45

13.54

13.91

14.81

59

---

---

---

---

---

9.38

11.51

13.57

13.95

14.86

60

---

---

---

---

---

9.40

11.58

13.60

13.97

14.91

61

---

---

---

---

---

9.49

11.64

13.64

14.02

14.96

62

---

---

---

---

---

9.51

11.70

13.67

14.08

15.02

63

---

---

---

---

---

9.57

11.75

13.69

14.15

15.07

64

---

---

---

---

---

9.62

11.81

13.71

14.21

15.12

65

---

---

---

---

---

9.66

11.87

13.75

14.27

15.17

66

---

---

---

---

---

9.69

11.94

13.77

14.34

15.23

67

---

---

---

---

---

9.77

12.00

13.80

14.42

15.28

68

---

---

---

---

---

9.81

12.02

13.82

14.46

15.33

69

---

---

---

---

---

9.82

12.10

13.84

14.53

15.39

70

---

---

---

---

---

9.83

12.15

13.87

14.60

15.44

Oversized

---

---

---

---

---

25.06

36.33

36.67

37.40

38.50

  1. For parcels that originate and destinate in the same BMC service area.
  2. Parcels that measure in combined length and girth:
    • More than 84 inches but not more than 108 inches, and the piece weighs less than 15 pounds, use 15‑pound rates (balloon rate).
    • More than 108 inches but not more than 130 inches, use oversized rates regardless of weight.
  3. Machinable parcels may be eligible for barcoded discount of $0.03 per parcel (50-piece minimum).
  4. Regardless of weight, a parcel that meets any of the criteria in 101.7.2 (for retail) or 401.2.3.2 (for discount) must pay the nonmachinable rate.
  5. Rates include the $1.42 nonmachinable surcharge. The nonmachinable surcharge does not apply to parcels mailed at oversized rates or parcels sent with special handling.

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2.0 Basic Eligibility Standards for Parcel Post

2.1 Definition of Parcel Post

Parcel Post is a subclass of Package Services. Any Package Services matter may be mailed at Parcel Post rates.

2.2 Service Objectives

The USPS does not guarantee the delivery of Parcel Post within a specified time. Parcel Post might receive deferred service. The local post office can provide more information concerning delivery times within its area.

2.3 Postal Inspection

Parcel Post mail is not sealed against postal inspection. Regardless of physical closure, the mailing of articles at Parcel Post rates constitutes consent by the mailer to postal inspection of the contents.

2.4 Delivery and Return Addresses

All Parcel Post mail must bear a delivery address. Alternative addressing formats under 602.3.0 may be used. Each piece must bear the sender's return address.

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3.0 Content Standards

3.1 General Content Standards

Parcel Post mail consists of mailable matter that is neither mailed or required to be mailed as First-Class Mail nor entered as Periodicals (except as permitted under 3.2 or permitted or required under 707.7.9).

3.2 Attachments or Enclosures of Periodicals Sample Copies

Sample copies of authorized and pending Periodicals publications may be enclosed or attached with merchandise sent at Parcel Post rates. Postage at Parcel Post rates is based on the combined weight of the host piece and the sample copies enclosed.

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4.0 Attachments and Enclosures

4.1 Enclosures

Parcel Post may contain any printed matter mailable as Standard Mail, in addition to the enclosures and additions listed in 4.0.

4.2 Written Additions

Markings that have the character of personal correspondence require, with certain exceptions, additional postage at the First-Class rates. The following written additions and enclosures do not require additional First-Class postage:

a. The sender's and the addressee's names, occupations, and addresses, preceded by "From" or "To," and directions for handling.

b. Marks, numbers, names, or letters describing the contents.

c. Words or phrases such as "Do Not Open Until Christmas" and "Happy Birthday, Mother."

d. Instructions and directions for the use of the item mailed.

e. A manuscript dedication or inscription not having the nature of personal correspondence.

f. Marks to call attention to words or passages in the text.

g. Corrections of typographical errors in printed matter.

h. Manuscripts accompanying related proof sheets and corrections of proof sheets including corrections of typographical and other errors, changes in the text, insertions of new text, marginal instructions to the printer, and corrective rewrites of parts.

i. Handstamped imprints, unless the added material is in itself personal or converts the original matter to a personal communication.

j. Matter mailable separately as Standard Mail printed on the wrapper, envelope, tag, or label.

4.3 Invoice

An invoice, whether it also serves as a bill, may be placed either inside a Parcel Post piece or in an envelope marked "Invoice Enclosed" and attached to the outside of the piece if the invoice relates solely to the matter with which it is mailed. The invoice may show this information:

a. Names and addresses of the sender and addressee.

b. Names and quantities of the articles enclosed, descriptions of each (e.g., price, tax, style, stock number, size, and quality, and, if defective, nature of defects).

c. Order or file number, date of order, date and manner of shipment, shipping weight, postage paid, and initials or name of packer or checker.

4.4 Incidental First-Class Attachments and Enclosures

Incidental First-Class matter may be enclosed in or attached to any Parcel Post piece without payment of First-Class postage. An incidental First-Class attachment or enclosure must be matter that, if mailed separately, would require First-Class postage, is closely associated with but secondary to the host piece, and is prepared so as not to interfere with postal processing. An incidental First-Class attachment or enclosure may be a bill for the product or publication, a statement of account for past products or publications, or a personal message or greeting included with a product, publication, or parcel. Postage at the Parcel Post rate for the host piece is based on the combined weight of the host piece and the incidental First-Class attachment or enclosure.

ARCHIVED DMM - JAN 08, 2006
ARCHIVED DMM - JAN 08, 2006