Quick Service Guide 440b

Commercial Parcels

Standard Mail Irregular Parcels

June 7, 2010
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Related QSG

703, Standard Mail Nonprofit Eligibility

Physical Standards (401)

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)

For a complete listing of commercial Standard Mail prices, see Notice 123-Price List.

Unless prepared in a carrier route or 5-digit/scheme container irregular parcels are subject to a surcharge if they do not bear a correct readable POSTNET (708.4.0) or GS1-128 barcode (708.5.0). For barcode placement, see 402.4.0.

Destination discounts apply to mail prepared as prescribed by USPS and addressed for delivery within service area of destination NDC/ASF, SCF (5-digit and SCF), or delivery unit (5-digit only) (446).

Annual presort mailing fee applies.

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 nonmachinable parcels (401.1.6) may be combined in the same mailing only in 5-digit containers.

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.

Detached address labels (DAL) may be used with merchandise samples under 602.4.0.

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).

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)

Precanceled stamp (604.3.0), 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 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.

Enter and Deposit (446)

Mailing entered at an acceptance point designated by USPS.

Sacking Sequence—when entered at Origin (445.5.4)
Origin NDC Sacks: Required, no minimum. Labels: Line 1, use L601, Column B. For Line 2, use "STD IRREG NDC." Price: Irregular Mixed NDC	Mixed NDC Sacks: Required, no minimum for all remaining mail. Labels: For Line 1, "MXD" followed by L601, Column B information for the NDC serving the 3-digit ZIP Code prefix of the entry Post Office. For Line 2, use "STD IRREG WKG." Price: Irregular Mixed NDC
Bundling not permitted except for bundles of carrier route irregular parcels under 445.6.0. For DDU, DSCF, and DNDC price eligibility and preparation see DMM 440.

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