Quick Service Guide 440b
Discount Parcels
Standard Mail—Irregular Parcels

January 2006
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Related QSG

703, Standard Mail Nonprofit Eligibility

Physical Standards (401)

Minimum weight, irregular parcels: none.

Minimum weight, machinable parcels: 6 ounces.

Maximum weight: less than 16 ounces.

For an overview of the physical standards for discount parcels, see Quick Service Guide 401.

Rates and Fees (443.1)

Per piece rates include residual shape surcharge of $0.242 (443.4.4).

Machinable pieces weighing 6 ounces or more may be eligible for the barcode discount of $0.03.

Destination discounts apply to mail prepared as prescribed by USPS and addressed for delivery within service area of destination BMC/ASF or SCF (446).

Annual $160.00 presort mailing fee.

Content (443.2)

Pieces are eligible if not required to be mailed at First-Class rates or not authorized for Periodicals rates. Nonprofit rates require specific authorization (703.1).

Eligibility Standards (443.3)

Mailings of 200 or more addressed pieces (or 50 pounds of addressed pieces), sorted and marked as described below. Machinable parcels (401.1.5) and irregular parcels (401.1.6) must not be combined in the same mailing.

Each piece must include a complete delivery address with correct ZIP Code or ZIP+4 code.

A certified process must be used at least once a year to ensure accuracy of 5-digit ZIP Codes.

Mail prepared using an extra service must bear a return address and an ancillary service endorsement that results in the return of the mailpiece if undeliverable (443.4.6.3).

Postage Payment and Documentation (444)

Precanceled stamp (604.3), meter (604.4), or permit imprint (604.5).

Documentation:

• Postage statement:
  Regular: Form 3602-R.
  Nonprofit: Form 3602-N.
• 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.

Additional standards apply to mailings of nonidentical-weight pieces.

Mail Preparation (445)

Marking on each piece in the postage area (402.2):

• Regular: "Presorted Standard" or "PRSRT STD."
• Nonprofit: "Nonprofit Organization" or "NONPROFIT ORG." or "NONPROFIT."

For use of detached address labels with merchandise samples more than 5 inches wide (high) or 1/4 inch thick, or nonuniform in thickness, see 602.4.

See reverse for preparation and labeling.

Enter and Deposit (446)

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.

Sacking Sequence for Irregular Parcels 1/2 Inch Thick or Thicker (445.5.4) Bundling is not required for irregular parcels 1/2 inch thick or thicker. They are placed directly in a sack for the same destination to which they would otherwise have to be bundled (445.5). Bundling not required if 10 or fewer pieces fill a sack. Bundling is required (see 445.5.4.1) for parcels less than 1/2 inch thick that do not fall within the dimensions for letter-size or flat-size pieces. Bundling required at 10 or more pieces to a destination finer than the required sack level (i.e., 10 or more pieces to a 3-digit destination placed in an ADC sack must be bundled). 5-Digit Scheme Sacks: Optional at 125 pieces or 15 pounds, smaller volume not permitted. Labels: For Line 1, use L606, Column B. For Line 2, use "STD IRREG 5D SCH." Rate: 3/5 5-Digit Sacks: Required at 125 pieces or 15 pounds, smaller volume not permitted. Labels: For Line 1, use city, state, and 5-digit ZIP Code on mail. For Line 2, use " STD IRREG 5D." Rate: 3/5 3-Digit Sacks: Required at 125 pieces or 15 pounds, smaller volume not permitted. (Exception: One less-than-full sack must be prepared for any remaining bundles for each origin 3-digit ZIP Code prefix.) Labels: For Line 1, use L002, Column A. For Line 2, use "STD IRREG 3D." Rate: 3/5 or Basic1 ADC Sacks: Required at 125 pieces or 15 pounds, smaller volume not permitted. Labels: For Line 1, use L603, Column B for pieces of nonuniform thickness. Use L004 for pieces of uniform thickness. For Line 2, use "STD IRREG ADC." Rate: Basic Mixed ADC Sacks: Required, no minimum for all remaining mail. Labels: For Line 1, use L604, Column B for pieces of nonuniform thickness. Use L009 for pieces of uniform thickness. For Line 2, use "STD IRREG WKG." Rate: Basic

1. Basic rate for any 3-digit sack for origin SCF not meeting 125-piece or 15-pound minimum.

Rate is based on sack level.

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