ARCHIVED QSG - JUL 17, 2007
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Quick Service Guide 340c

Discount Flats

Standard Mail Enhanced Carrier Route Flats

July 2007
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Related QSG

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703, Standard Mail Nonprofit Eligibility

Physical Standards (301)

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Maximum weight: less than 16 ounces.

For an overview of the physical standards for discount flats, see Quick Service Guide 301.

Rates and Fees (343.1.0)

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For pieces weighing 3.3 ounces (0.2063 pound) or less:
Regular
Nonprofit
Saturation
$0.187
$0.118
High-Density
0.205
0.136
Basic
0.249
0.180
For pieces weighing more than 3.3 ounces (0.2063 pound):
Per piece rates:
   
Saturation
$0.059
$0.029
High-Density
0.077
0.047
Basic
0.121
0.091
PLUS per pound rates:
0.621
0.432

Destination discounts apply to mail prepared as prescribed by USPS and addressed for delivery within service area of destination BMC/ASF, SCF, or delivery unit (346.2.0).

For walk-sequence saturation pieces and merchandise samples with a detached address label, add $0.015.

Annual $175.00 presort mailing fee.

Content (343.2.0)

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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 (703.1.0).

Eligibility Standards (343.6.0)

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Mailings of 200 or more addressed pieces (or 50 pounds of addressed pieces), sorted and marked as described below. Pieces must be part of a group of 10 or more to one carrier route, prepared in line-of-travel or walk-sequence order, as required. All pieces must meet the physical standards for enhanced carrier route flats in 301. Pieces are eligible if not required to be mailed at First-Class rates or not eligible for Periodicals rates. Nonprofit rates require specific authorization (703.1.0).

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

Carrier route information must be updated using CASS-certified process within 90 days before mailing date.

Add $0.015 for each detached address label used with merchandise samples or saturation rate pieces.

Mailers can apply Repositionable Notes for an additional charge of $0.015. See 709.3.0.

Postage Payment and Documentation (344)

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Precanceled stamp (604.3.0), meter (604.4.0), or permit imprint (604.5.0).

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.
  • 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 documentation to support density standards (345.6.0).

Mail Preparation (345)

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Marking on each piece in the postage area (302.2.0):

  • Regular: "Presorted Standard" or "PRSRT STD."
  • Nonprofit: "Nonprofit Organization" or "NONPROFIT ORG." or "NONPROFIT."
  • Basic, high-density, and saturation rate pieces must also be marked "ECRLOT," "ECRWSH," or "ECRWSS," respectively, in the correct optional endorsement line under 708.7.0 or in correct carrier route information line under 708.8.0 or in the postage area. Pieces in a mailing consisting of bundles claimed at more than one Enhanced Carrier Route rate must bear appropriate marking for rate claimed. Pieces not claimed at corresponding rate must not be included in the mailing and must not bear the "ECRLOT," "ECRWSH," or "ECRWSS" marking. For additional marking standards for carrier route pieces, see 708.8.0.

Basic rate mail must be in line-of-travel (LOT) or in walk sequence (345.6.0).

High-density (WSH) and saturation (WSS) rate mail must be in walk sequence (345.6.0).

Palletization is preferred (see Quick Service Guide 705d).

See page two for preparation and labeling.

Use standard sack label (345.4.0).

Enter and Deposit (346)

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Mailing entered at an acceptance point designated by USPS.

Bundling and Sacking Sequence (345.6.0)
Bundle Preparation
Saturation1
Bundles: 10 or more addressed pieces to same carrier route (city route, rural route, highway contract route, post office box section, or general delivery unit) must be prepared in bundles; fewer than 10 pieces allowed only if route has fewer than 10 delivery stops. Mail must be presented in walk-sequence (343.6.5) and meet density standards.
Labels: Use optional endorsement line (OEL) with carrier route description prefix and route number (708.7.0).3
Rate: Saturation
High Density2
Bundles: 10 or more addressed pieces to same carrier route (city route, rural route, highway contract route, post office box section, or general delivery unit) must be prepared in bundles. Mail must be presented in walk-sequence (343.6.4) and meet density standards.
Labels: Use OEL with carrier route description prefix and route number (708.7.0).3
Rate: High Density
Basic
Bundles: 10 or more addressed pieces to same carrier route (city route, rural route, highway contract route, post office box section, or general delivery unit) must be prepared in bundles. Mail must be presented in line-of-travel or walk-sequence (343.6.3).
Labels: Use OEL with carrier route description prefix and route number (708.7.0).3
Rate: Basic

This graphic shows the bundle Preparation for Standard Mail Enhanced Carrier Route Flats as described in the text.

Sack Preparation
Carrier Route
Sacks: Required 125 pieces or 15 pounds.
Labels: For Line 1, use city, state and 5-digit ZIP Code of destination. For Line 2, use "STD FLTS", and "ECRWSS," "ECRWSH," or "ECRLOT," as applicable, followed by route type and number.4
5-Digit Scheme Carrier Routes
Sacks: Required, no minimum.
Labels: For Line 1, use L001, Column B. For Line 2, use "STD FLTS CR-RTS SCH."
5-Digit Carrier Routes
Sacks: Required, no minimum.
Labels: For Line 1, use city, state, and 5-digit ZIP Code of destination. For Line 2, use "STD FLTS CR-RTS."

This graphics shows the sack preparation for Standard Mail Enhanced Carrier Route Flats as described in the text.

1Minimum 90% total active residential or 75% total active deliveries per route (100% if simplified address (343.6.5)).
2Minimum 125 pieces per route unless route has fewer than 125 deliveries.
3No facing slip or OEL required if the bundle is placed in a carrier route sack. Bundles in 5-digit/scheme carrier routes sacks must have a facing slip unless the pieces in the bundle show a carrier route information line or an OEL (345.6.4).
4Use "ECRWSS" for saturation, "ECRWSH" for high density, and "ECRLOT" for basic.

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.

 

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ARCHIVED QSG - JUL 17, 2007
ARCHIVED QSG - JUL 17, 2007