Quick Service Guide 360

Commercial Flats

Bound Printed Matter Flats

May 12, 2008
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Physical Standards (301)

Maximum weight: 15 pounds.

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

Prices and Fees (363.1.0)

For destination entry prices, see 363.1.2.

Presorted, Carrier Route, and destination BMC (DBMC) prices: separate per piece and per pound charges based on weight and zone. DSCF and DDU prices are not zoned. Destination entry discounts apply to mail prepared as prescribed by USPS and addressed for delivery within service area of destination BMC/ASF, SCF, or delivery unit (DDU) (366). DDU prices not available for flat-size pieces weighing 1 pound or less unless sorted to carrier route.

Barcoded discount: $0.03 per piece. Available for automation-compatible flats with correct barcodes that meet standards in 363.5.0. Discount is not available for Presorted DDU or carrier route prices.

No annual mailing fee; however, there is an annual destination entry mailing fee of $180.00.

Content (363.2.0)

Bound Printed Matter is typically catalogs, directories, books, and other printed material that weighs up to 15 pounds and meets specific eligibility standards in 363.2.0. Contents must:

Eligibility Standards (363.3.0)

Mailings of 300 or more pieces, sorted and marked as described below.

Each piece must include complete delivery address with correct ZIP Code or ZIP+4 code. Return address required for pieces with ancillary service endorsement or extra services.

For Presorted prices, a certified process (363.3.3) must be used within 12 months before mailing to ensure the accuracy of 5-digit ZIP Codes.

For Carrier Route price, carrier route information must be updated using CASS-certified process within 90 days before mailing (363.4.0).

For barcode flat discount: see address standards in 363.5.0, barcode quality standards in 708.4.0, and CASS/MASS standards in 708.3.0. Addresses matched using a CASS/MASS-certified process within 180 days before mailing date. Pieces must be prepared under 365.7.0.

Rigid, nonrectangular, and pieces that are not uniformly thick must be prepared as parcels and pay parcel prices based on weight and zone (363.1.0).

Postage Payment (364)

Meter (604.4.0) or permit imprint (604.5.0).

Postage statement: PS Form 3605-R or approved facsimile.

Mail Preparation (365)

Price markings:

Pieces must be separated by zones when presented unless authorized under 705.

Enter and Deposit (366)

Presorted or Carrier Route and all meter or permit imprint mail, generally at post office where permit or license is held. For destination entry rates, see 366.2.0 - 366.5.0.

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.

Preparation

Bundling and Sacking Sequence Presorted Flats (365.5.0)
5-Digit/Scheme1 Sacks: Required at 20 addressed pieces or 20 pounds, smaller volumes not permitted. Labels:2 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 FLTS 5D NON BC."	3-Digit Sacks: Required at 20 addressed pieces or 20 pounds, smaller volumes not permitted. Labels: For Line 1, use L002, Column A. For Line 2, use "PSVC FLTS 3D NON BC."	SCF Sacks: Optional at 20 addressed pieces or 20 pounds, smaller volumes not permitted. Labels: For Line 1, use L005, Column B. For Line 2, use "PSVC FLTS SCF NON BC."	ADC Sacks: Required at 20 addressed pieces or 20 pounds, smaller volumes not permitted. Labels: For Line 1, use L004, Column B. For Line 2, use "PSVC FLTS ADC NON BC."	Mixed ADC Sacks: Required with no minimum. Labels: For Line 1, use L009, Column B. For Line 2, use "PSVC FLTS NON BC WKG."
Each bundle (except mixed ADC bundles) must contain at least two addressed pieces. For Bound Printed Matter flat-size pieces claiming a barcode discount, see page four.

1For mailings consisting entirely of pieces meeting the automation-compatibility standards in 301.3.0 pieces 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. 5-digit bundles of flats placed in 5-digit sacks may weigh a maximum of 40 pounds. 2For 5-digit scheme sacks, use "PSVC FLT 5D SCH NBC," for 5-digit sacks, use "PSVC FLTS 5D NON BC."

Bundling and Sacking Sequence Carrier Route Flats (365.6.0)
Bundles: Required at 10 addressed pieces or 10 pounds for an individual carrier route, smaller volumes not permitted. Maximum weight 40 pounds. Each bundle must contain at least two addressed pieces except for the last bundle to each carrier route destination under 365.2.5. Labels: Facing slip (365.2.11), optional endorsement line (708.7.0), or carrier route information line (708.8.0). Price: Carrier Route.
Carrier Route Sacks: Required at 20 addressed pieces or 20 pounds, smaller volumes not permitted. Labels: For Line 1, use 5-digit ZIP Code destination of bundles. For Line 2, use "PSVC FLTS CR" followed by the route type and number.	5-Digit Scheme Carrier Routes Sacks: Required, no minimum. Labels: For Line 1, use L001, Column B. For Line 2, use "PSVC FLTS CR-RTS SCH."	5-Digit Carrier Routes Sacks: Required, no minimum. Labels: For Line 1, use 5-digit ZIP Code destination of bundles. For Line 2, use "PSVC FLTS CR-RTS."

Bundling and Sacking Sequence Barcoded Flats (365.7.0)
5-Digit/Scheme1 Bundles: Scheme bundles required for 5-digit ZIP Codes in L007. Required at 10 pieces or 10 pounds; smaller volumes not permitted; maximum weight 20 pounds. Labels: Optional endorsement line (OEL) (708.7.0).	3-Digit/Scheme1  Bundles: Scheme bundles required for 3-digit ZIP Codes in L008. Required at 10 pieces or 10 pounds; smaller volumes not permitted; maximum weight 20 pounds. Labels: OEL.	ADC  Bundles: Required at 10 pieces or 10 pounds; smaller volumes not permitted; maximum weight 20 pounds. Labels: Pink Label A or OEL.	Mixed ADC Bundles: Required with no minimum. Maximum weight 20 pounds. Labels: Tan Label X or OEL.
5-Digit/Scheme2 Sacks: Required at 20 addressed pieces. Barcoded 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, use "PSVC FLTS 5D SCH BC." For 5-digit sacks, use "PSVC FLTS 5D BC."	3-Digit Sacks: Required at 20 addressed pieces (except for optional bundles with 3-digit ZIP Code prefixes indicated by an "N" in L002). Barcoded Labels: For Line 1, use L002, Column A, for destination facility. For Line 2, use "PSVC FLTS 3D BC."	ADC Sacks: Required at 20 addressed pieces. Barcoded Labels: For Line 1, use L004, Column B for destination facility. For Line 2, use "PSVC FLTS ADC BC."	Mixed ADC Sacks: Required, no minimum for any remaining bundles placed in mixed ADC sacks. Barcoded Labels: For Line 1, use L009, Column B. For Line 2, use "PSVC FLTS BC WKG."
Price is based on type of bundle regardless of sack in (or pallet on) which it is placed.

1Mailers 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. 2Use "PSVC FLTS 5D SCH BC" on 5-digit scheme sacks; use "PSVC FLTS 5D BC" on 5-digit sacks.

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