Quick Service Guide 450
Discount Parcels
Parcel Post

January 2006
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Physical Standards (401)

Maximum weight: 70 pounds.

Maximum length and girth: 130 inches.

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

Rates and Fees (453.1)

Available rates: Intra-BMC, Inter-BMC, and Parcel Select (DBMC, DSCF, and DDU).

Rate determination: Intra-BMC, Inter-BMC, and DBMC rates are calculated based on weight and zone; DSCF and DDU rates are based on weight only.

• Intra-BMC: originates and destinates within the same BMC/ASF service area (or within Alaska, Hawaii, or Puerto Rico).
  • Intra-BMC machinable: meets the criteria in 401.1.5 and does not contain items in 401.2.3.
  • Intra-BMC nonmachinable: does not meet the criteria in 401.1.5 or contains items in 401.2.3. Includes $1.42 nonmachinable surcharge (except oversized rates or with special handling).
• Inter-BMC: originates in the service area of a BMC/ASF (or in Alaska, Hawaii, or Puerto Rico), destinates outside that area.
  • Inter-BMC machinable: meets the criteria in 401.1.5 and does not contain items in 401.2.3.
  • Inter-BMC nonmachinable: does not meet the criteria in 401.1.5 or contains items in 401.2.3. Includes $2.90 nonmachinable surcharge (except oversized rates or with special handling).

Barcoded discount: $0.03 per piece. Available for machinable parcels (401.1.5) that bear a correct barcode under 708.5 and are part of a mailing of 50 or more Parcel Post pieces. Does not apply to pieces claimed at DSCF or DDU rates or pieces claimed at the DBMC rate that are entered at an ASF other than Phoenix, AZ.

Oversized rate: pieces exceeding 108 inches but not more than 130 inches in combined length and girth are mailable at the Parcel Post oversized rate for the zone to which addressed.

Balloon rate: pieces exceeding 84 inches (but not exceeding 108 inches) in combined length and girth and weighing less than 15 pounds are charged at the 15-pound rate for the zone to which addressed.

Presort discounts for mailings of 50 or more Parcel Post rate pieces:

• Origin BMC Presort (OBMC): $1.23 discount applies to pieces sorted to BMC destinations using L601 if machinable or BMC/ASF destinations using L605 if nonmachinable. Entered at a BMC.
• BMC Presort: $0.30 discount applies to pieces sorted to BMC destinations using L601 if machinable or BMC/ASF destinations using L605 if nonmachinable. Entered at any facility (other than BMC) that accepts bulk mail.

Parcel Select (456.2):

• DBMC: entered at the destination BMC/ASF for delivery within the DBMC/ASF service area and part of a mailing of 50 or more Parcel Post pieces. Nonmachinable parcels subject to $1.53 nonmachinable surcharge (does not apply to pieces mailed at oversized rates or with special handling).
• DSCF: entered at the designated facility for delivery within the DSCF area, sorted by 5-digit scheme or 5-digit ZIP Code destinations, and part of a mailing of 50 or more Parcel Post pieces. Nonmachinable parcels sorted to 3-digit ZIP Code areas subject to $1.15 surcharge (456.2.2.3).
• DDU: entered at the designated destination delivery unit for delivery within the DDU area and part of a mailing of 50 or more Parcel Post pieces.

Annual Parcel Select (DBMC, DSCF, and DDU) destination entry fee: $160.00.

Content (453.2)

Parcel Post is Package Services matter not mailed as Bound Printed Matter, Media Mail, or Library Mail. Any Package Services matter may be mailed at Parcel Post rates, subject to the basic standards in 402.2.3.

Generally used for shipping merchandise.

Eligibility Standards (453.3)

Minimum mailing: 50-piece minimum for origin bulk mail center (OBMC) Presort, bulk mail center (BMC) Presort, Parcel Select (destination bulk mail center (DBMC), destination sectional center facility (DSCF), and destination delivery unit (DDU) rates) and for the barcoded discount. The 50-piece minimum for these rates applies to pieces mailed at any Parcel Post rate. Pieces sorted and marked as described below. Single-piece rates: no minimum piece requirement.

Each piece must include a complete delivery and return address. Each discounted piece must also include a correct ZIP Code or ZIP+4 code (602).

Mailing items with no ancillary service endorsement obligates the mailer to pay any applicable forwarding and return postage charges at the single-piece rate (507.1.5.4).

Postage Payment and Documentation (454)

Meter (604.4), or permit imprint (604.5).

Documentation:

• Postage statement: Form 3605-R or approved facsimile.
• Supplemental documentation: additional documentation as required by rate, destination discount, preparation option, or postage payment system.

Mail Preparation (455)

Marking:

• All pieces: "Parcel Post" (or "PP") must be printed in the postage area (455.4.1.2).
• Parcel Select (DBMC, DSCF, or DDU):
  Option 1: "Parcel Select" ("Parcel Post" marking is not required if "Parcel Select" marking is placed in the postage area).
  Option 2: "Parcel Post" (or "PP") and "Drop Ship" (or "D/S") or "Parcel Select."

Separation by zone: Intra-BMC, Inter-BMC, and DBMC pieces must be separated by zones when presented unless either the correct postage is affixed to each piece or the mailing is prepared under 455.4.1.4 or presented under a special postage payment system (Manifest Mailing System, 705.2; Optional Procedure, 705.3; or Alternative Mailing System, 705.4).

Barcoded discount: machinable parcels meeting the standards in 708.5.

OBMC Presort and BMC Presort: sorted to BMC if machinable or BMCs/ASFs if nonmachinable.

Preparation and labeling: DBMC: none; DSCF: sorted by 5-digit or 5-digit scheme ZIP Code; DDU: separated by 5-digit ZIP Code.

Enter and Deposit (456)

• Single-piece: entered at a retail window or acceptance unit designated by USPS.
• Bulk mailings: meter or permit imprint must be presented at post office where license or permit held.
• OBMC and BMC Presort, DBMC, DSCF, and DDU: at facility appropriate for rate claimed. See 456.2 for scheduling deposit of DBMC, DSCF, and DDU rate mail.

Extra Services (503)

May use COD, Delivery Confirmation, insurance, return receipt for merchandise, Signature Confirmation, and special handling. Parcel Select pieces are eligible for no-fee electronic Delivery Confirmation. Return receipt and restricted delivery are available for COD mail or mail insured for more than $50.

This guide is an overview only. 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.

Intra-BMC
Presort: None.
Pallets: See 705.8 for preparation.
Rate: Local and Intra-BMC/ASF Parcel Post.

Inter-BMC
Machinable Parcels
Presort: Single-piece: none.
Pallets: See 705.8 for pallet preparation.
Rate: Inter-BMC/ASF Machinable Parcel Post.

Nonmachinable Parcels
Presort: Single-piece: none.
Pallets: See 705.8 for pallet preparation.
Rate: Inter-BMC/ASF Nonmachinable Parcel Post.

BMC Presort (455.4.2) and OBMC Presort (455.4.3)
See Quick Service Guide 705c, Parcel Post BMC and OBMC Presort.

DBMC, DSCF, and DDU Preparation

DBMC
DBMC rate applies to parcels deposited at the destination BMC/ASF (456.2.2.2). Parcels claimed at the DBMC rate must meet the standards in 456.2, including:

• Must be part of a mailing of 50 or more Parcel Post pieces (at any rate).
• Must be addressed for delivery within the service area of the BMC/ASF where the mail is deposited.

Preparation:
For machinable parcels on pallets, see 705.8.10.5.
For machinable parcels prepared in sacks, see 455.4.7.
For bedloaded parcels, see 456.2.3. Special preparation may be required for nonmachinable parcels.
DBMC rate machinable and nonmachinable parcels may not be combined in the same container.

Rate: DBMC; see 453.1.4.

DSCF
DSCF rate applies to parcels deposited at the destination SCF listed in L005 (or at a BMC under 456.2.6). Pieces claimed at the DSCF rate must meet the standards in 456.2, including:

• Must be part of a mailing of 50 or more Parcel Post pieces (at any rate).
• Must be addressed for delivery within the service area of the SCF where the mail is deposited.

Nonmachinable parcels sorted to 3-digit ZIP Code areas and claimed at a DSCF rate must be entered at a designated SCF under L005 (for exceptions see 456.2.2.3).

Preparation: Must be sacked or placed directly on pallets or in pallet boxes. Machinable and nonmachinable parcels may be combined in the same container.

Sacks: Must be in 5-digit scheme or 5-digit sacks. Minimum seven pieces per sack, one overflow sack permitted per 5-digit scheme or 5-digit ZIP Code. After all possible 5-digit scheme or 5-digit sacks are prepared, any remaining 3-digit nonmachinable parcels are placed in 3-digit sacks, no minimum required.

Sack Labels:
5-digit scheme: For Line 1, use L606, Column B. For Line 2, use "PSVC PARCELS 5D SCH."
5-digit: For Line 1, use city, state, and 5-digit ZIP Code on mail. For Line 2, "PSVC PARCELS 5D."
3-digit nonmachinable: For Line 1, use L002, Column C. For Line 2, "PSVC 3D NON MACH."

Pallets: See 705.8.10 for pallet preparation standards. Must be on 5-digit scheme, 5-digit pallets, or 3-digit (nonmachinable) destinations. Pallet boxes cannot exceed 60 inches in height. If the 5-digit destination facility cannot handle pallets, the DSCF rate is not available for mail on pallets; however, mail for those facilities can be put into sacks that are placed on pallets (see 705.8.21).

Pallet Labels: See 705.8.6.

Rate: DSCF; see 453.1.4. DBMC rate for overflow pallet.

DDU
DDU rate applies to parcels deposited at the destination delivery unit. Parcels claimed at the DDU rate must meet the standards in 456.2, including:

• Must be part of a mailing of 50 or more Parcel Post pieces (at any rate).
• Must be addressed for delivery within the service area of the delivery unit where the mail is deposited.

Preparation: Must be bedloaded, sacked, or placed directly on pallets or in pallet boxes. Machinable and nonmachinable pieces may be combined.

Sacks: Must be in 5-digit scheme or 5-digit sacks. There are no piece or weight minimums.

Sack Labels:
5-digit scheme: For Line 1, use L606, Column B. For Line 2, use "PSVC PARCELS 5D SCH."
5-digit: For Line 1, use city, state, and 5-digit ZIP Code on mail. For Line 2, "PSVC PARCELS 5D."

Pallets: Must be on 5-digit scheme or 5-digit pallets. There are no piece or weight minimums. Pallet boxes cannot exceed 60 inches. Pallets or pallet boxes may be used only if the delivery unit can handle pallets or if mailer unloads pallets into a container specified by the delivery unit.

Pallet Labels:
5-digit scheme: For Line 1, use L606, Column B. For Line 2, use "PSVC PARCELS 5D SCH."
5-digit: For Line 1, use city, state, and 5-digit ZIP Code on mail. For Line 2, use "PSVC PARCELS 5D."

Rate: DDU; see 453.1.4.

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