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Quick Service Guide 340b
Discount Flats Standard Mail
Automation Flats
January 2006
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Related QSG
301a, Designing Flats for Automated Processing
Physical Standards (301)
Maximum weight: less than 16 ounces.
For an overview of the physical standards
for discount flats, see Quick
Service Guide 301.
Rates and Fees (343.1)
| For pieces
weighing 3.3 ounces (0.2063 pounds) or less: |
|
|
| 3/5 |
$0.275 |
$0.171 |
| Basic |
0.316 |
0.195 |
| For pieces
weighing more than 3.3 ounces (0.2063 pounds): |
|
|
| Per piece
rates: |
|
|
| 3/5 |
$0.121 |
$0.047 |
| Basic |
0.162 |
0.071 |
| PLUS per
pound rates: |
$0.746 |
$0.602 |
|
Destination discounts apply to mail prepared as prescribed by USPS and
addressed for delivery within service area of destination BMC/ASF or
SCF (346.2).
Annual $160.00 presort mailing fee.
Content (343.2)
Flats containing mailable items not required to be sent using First-Class
Mail can be sent using Standard Mail. Standard Mail is typically used
for advertisements, flyers, and catalogs. Additional content restrictions
must be met for authorized nonprofit mailers (703.1).
Eligibility Standards (343.7)
Mailings of 200 or more addressed pieces (or 50 pounds of addressed pieces)
must be automation compatible (301.3), 100% ZIP+4 barcoded or delivery point
barcoded (708.4), sorted and marked as described below. Pieces are eligible
if not required to be mailed at First-Class rates or not eligible for Periodicals
rates. Nonprofit rates require specific authorization (703.1).
Each piece must also include a complete delivery address with correct
ZIP Code or ZIP+4 code.
For address standards, see 343.7.3;
for barcode quality standards, see 708.4;
and for CASS/MASS standards, see 708.3.
Addresses must be matched using a CASS/MASS-certified
process within 180 days before mailing date.
All letter-size reply cards and envelopes (business reply, courtesy
reply, and metered reply mail) provided as enclosures must meet the standards
in 201.3.14.
Mailers can apply Repositionable Notes ("sticky notes") for
an additional charge of $0.015. See 709.7.
Postage Payment and Documentation (344)
Precanceled stamp (604.3), meter (604.4),
or permit imprint (604.5).
Additional standards apply to mailings of nonidentical-weight pieces.
Documentation:
- Postage statement:
Regular: Form 3602-R or
approved facsimile.
Nonprofit: Form 3602-N or
approved facsimile.
- Form
3553 must be retained by mailer
for 1 year (708.3.5.2).
- Supporting documentation: required unless correct
rate is affixed to each piece or unless each piece is of identical
weight and separated by rate when
presented
for acceptance; documentation generated by PAVE-certified software
(or printed in standardized format).
Mail Preparation (345.7)
Marking on each piece in the postage area (302.2):
- Regular: "Presorted Standard" or "PRSRT
STD."
- Nonprofit: "Nonprofit Organization" or "NONPROFIT
ORG." or "NONPROFIT."
Use of the "AUTO" marking is optional.
Barcoded sack labels required (345.4.9).
Pallets are preferred (see Quick Service Guide
707d).
Pieces meeting specifications for the automated flat sorting machine
(AFSM) 100 in 301.3.3 must be prepared in separate bundles from
pieces meeting specifications for the upgraded flat sorting machine (UFSM)
1000 in 301.3.4. Separate bundle minimums (345.2) must be met for
each bundle
type. Within each bundle, mailers may combine pieces of nonidentical
weights if authorized under 344.3.1. AFSM 100 and UFSM 1000 bundles
may be combined in the same sacks or on the same pallets.
Any mailing job that contains bundles of Presorted flats and bundles
of automation flats must be
cosacked using 705.9.3.
Enter and Deposit (346)
Mailing entered at an acceptance point designated by USPS. For the specific
DMM standards applicable to this category of mail, consult the DMM
sections referenced above and the general sections within each DMM
module.
| Packaging
and Sacking Sequence (345.7.5.1 ) |
|
5-Digit
Bundles: Required with
15 pieces for mailings containing only pieces weighing 5
ounces or less and 3/4 inch thick or less. Required with
10 pieces for mailings containing any pieces weighing
more than 5 ounces or more than 3/4 inch thick. Fewer
pieces in
a bundle not permitted.
Labels: Red Label
5 or optional endorsement line (OEL) (708.7).
Rate: 3/5 |
3-Digit
Bundles: Required if
10 or more pieces to same
3-digit ZIP Code prefix; fewer than 10 pieces in
a bundle not permitted.
Labels: Green Label 3 or OEL.
Rate: 3/5 |
ADC
Bundles: Required if
10 or more pieces to same ADC (see L004); fewer than 10 pieces
in a bundle not permitted.
Labels: Pink Label A or OEL.
Rate: Basic |
Mixed ADC
Bundles: Any remaining pieces must be bundled in mixed
ADC bundles.
Labels: Tan Label X or OEL.
Rate: Basic |
 |
Sacks: Required at 125 pieces or 15 pounds; smaller quantities
not permitted.
Barcoded Labels: For Line 1, use city, state, and
5-digit ZIP Code on mail. |
Sacks: Required at 125 pieces or 15 pounds; smaller quantities
not permitted. (Exception: A sack must be prepared for any
remaining bundles for each 3-digit
ZIP Code prefix of SCF serving post office where mail is verified.)
Barcoded Labels: For Line 1, use L002, Column A, for destination
facility. |
Sacks: Required at 125 pieces or 15 pounds; smaller quantities
not permitted.
Barcoded Labels: For Line 1, use L004, Column B for destination
facility. |
Sacks: Required, no minimum for any remaining bundles placed
in mixed ADC sacks.
Barcoded Labels: For
Line 1, use L009,
Column B. |
|
Rate is based on type of bundle regardless of sack in (or pallet on) which
it is placed.
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