Quick Service Guide 380

Discount Flats

Library Mail Presorted Flats

July 2007
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Physical Standards (301)

Maximum weight: 70 pounds.

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

Rates and Fees (383.1.0)

For heavier pieces, see 383.1.0.

Annual presort mailing fee: $175.00.

Content (383.2.0)

Generally used by qualified libraries, schools, nonprofit organizations, universities, and museums to mail specific types of Package Services matter that meet additional eligibility standards. Mailable items are limited generally to books, recordings, educational, and museum materials; advertising restrictions apply. Specific mailable items may be sent to, from, or between a school, college, university, public library, museum, herbarium, or nonprofit organization (religious, educational, scientific, philanthropic, agricultural, labor, veterans, or fraternal); any such institution, organization, or association, and an individual who has no financial interest in the sale, promotion, or distribution of the materials. Also, there are provisions for publishers to mail specified items to qualified customers.

Eligibility Standards (383.3.0)

Mailings of 300 or more addressed pieces are eligible for 5-digit and Basic rates; sorted and marked as described below.

5-digit and Basic Presorted rates are based on weight and level of presort.

Each piece must include complete delivery and return addresses with correct ZIP Code or ZIP+4 code.

Each piece must show in the address or return address the name of a school, college, university, public library, museum, herbarium, or a qualified nonprofit organization (703.1.2).

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).

Rigid, nonrectangular, and pieces that are not uniformly thick must be prepared as parcels and pay parcel rates (383.1.3).

Postage Payment and Documentation (384)

Meter (604.4.0) or permit imprint (604.5.0).

Postage statement: Form 3605-R or approved facsimile.

Mail Preparation (385)

Mark each piece "Library Mail" and "Presorted" or "PRSRT" in the postage area. For optional marking locations, see 302.2.2.4.

Flat-size pieces that do not meet the physical standards in 301.1.3 and 301.1.4 must be prepared as parcels.

See page two for preparation and labeling.

Enter and Deposit (386)

All meter or permit imprint, generally, at post office where permit or meter license is held.

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.

Bundling and Sacking Sequence (385.5.0)
5-Digit/Scheme1 Bundles: Optional but required for 5-digit rate. Scheme bundles required for 5-digit ZIP Codes in L007. Required at 10 addressed pieces, smaller volumes not permitted. Maximum weight 20 pounds.2 Labels: Red Label 5 or optional endorsement line (OEL) (708.7.0).3	3-Digit/Scheme1 Bundles: Scheme bundles required for 3-digit ZIP Codes in L008. Required at 10 addressed pieces, smaller volumes not permitted. Maximum weight 20 pounds. Labels: Green Label 3 or OEL.	ADC Bundles: Required at 10 addressed pieces, smaller volumes not permitted. Maximum weight 20 pounds. Labels: Pink Label A or OEL.	Mixed ADC Bundles: Required, no minimum. Maximum weight 20 pounds. Labels: Tan Label X or OEL.
Sacks: Optional but required for 5-digit rate. Minimum 10 pieces (or 1,000 cubic inches), smaller volumes not permitted. Labels: Line 1: For 5-digit scheme sacks, use L007, Column B. For 5-digit sacks, use city, state, and 5-digit ZIP Code on mail. Line 2: For 5-digit scheme sacks, use "PSVC FLT 5D SCH NBC." For 5-digit sacks, use "PSVC FLT 5D NBC." Rate: 5-Digit	Sacks: Required at 20 pieces (or 1,000 cubic inches), smaller volumes not permitted. Labels: For Line 1, use L002, Column A. For Line 2, use "PSVC FLTS 3D NON BC." Rate: Basic	Sacks: Required at 20 pieces (or 1,000 cubic inches), smaller volumes not permitted. Labels: For Line 1, use L004, Column B. For Line 2, use "PSVC FLTS ADC NON BC." Rate: Basic	Sacks: Required, no minimum. Labels: For Line 1, use L009, Column B. For Line 2, use "PSVC FLTS NON BC WKG." Rate: Basic
Each bundle (except mixed ADC bundles) must contain at least two addressed pieces.

1Pieces weighing up to 20 ounces and meeting the automation-compatibility standards in 301.3.0 must be prepared in 5-digit scheme and 3-digit scheme bundles and 5-digit scheme sacks. Mailers must prepare all possible 5-digit scheme bundles and 5-digit scheme sacks before preparing 5-digit bundles and 5-digit sacks. All possible 3-digit scheme bundles must be prepared before preparing 3-digit bundles. 25-digit bundles of flats placed in 5-digit sacks may weigh a maximum of 40 pounds. 3For 5-digit scheme sacks, use "PSVC FLT 5D SCH NBC," for 5-digit sacks, use "PSVC FLT 5D NBC."

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