Quick Service Guide 440a

Commercial Parcels

Standard Mail Machinable Parcels

May 12, 2008
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Related QSG

703, Standard Mail Nonprofit Eligibility

Physical Standards (401)

Minimum weight: 6 ounces (3.5 ounces for parcels prepared under 401.1.5.2).

Maximum weight: less than 16 ounces.

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

Prices and Fees (443.1.0)

Unless prepared in 5-digit/scheme containers, Standard Mail machinable parcels are subject to a $0.05 surcharge if they do not bear a UCC/EAN 128 barcode under 708.5.0.

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 (446).

Annual $180.00 presort mailing fee.

Content (443.2.0)

Pieces are eligible if not required to be mailed at First-Class Mail prices or not authorized for Periodicals prices. Nonprofit prices require specific authorization (703.1.0).

Eligibility Standards (443.3.0)

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) may 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 (443.4.5).

Effective November 28, 2008, addresses on all pieces must be updated within 95 days before mailing through a USPS-approved address update method (e.g., ACS, NCOA^Link, or the appropriate ancillary service endorsement (except Forwarding Service Requested) under 507.1.5.3). For an overview of the Move Update standards, see Quick Service Guide 230a.

Postage Payment and Documentation (444)

Meter (604.4.0), or permit imprint (604.5.0).

Documentation:

Additional standards apply to mailings of nonidentical-weight pieces.

Mail Preparation (445)

Marking on each piece in the postage area (402.2.0):

For barcode placement, see 402.4.0.

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 602.4.0.

See page two 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.

Preparation

Machinable Sacking Sequence (445.5.3)1
5-Digit/Scheme Sacks: Optional, but required for 5-digit price; minimum 10 pounds, smaller volumes not permitted.2 Labels: Line 1: For 5-digit scheme sacks, use L606, Column B. For 5-digit sacks, use city, state and 5-digit ZIP Code on mail. Line 2: For 5-digit scheme sacks, use "STD MACH 5D SCH." For 5-digit sacks, use "STD MACH 5D." Price: 5-Digit	ASF Sacks: Optional, minimum 10 pounds, smaller volumes not permitted. Allowed only for mail deposited at an ASF to claim DBMC prices. Labels: For Line 1, use L602, Column B.2 For Line 2, "STD MACH ASF." Price: BMC	BMC Sacks: Required, minimum 10 pounds, smaller volumes not permitted. Labels: For Line 1, use L601, Column B.3 For Line 2, "STD MACH BMC." Price: BMC	Mixed BMC Sacks: Required, no minimum. Labels: For Line 1, "MXD" followed by L601, Column B information for the BMC serving the 3-digit ZIP Code prefix of the entry post office. For Line 2, "STD MACH WKG." Price: Mixed BMC

1For 5-digit scheme sacks, use "STD MACH 5D SCH." For 5-digit sacks, use "STD MACH 5D." 2No minimum for 5-digit/scheme sacks entered at DDU. 3For DBMC price eligilbility, see 446.3.0.

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