Quick Service Guide 440d

Commercial Parcels

Standard Mail Not Flat-Machinable Pieces

January 2, 2011
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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 Not Flat-Machinables (NFM), 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 5-digit/scheme containers, Not Flat-Machinable pieces are subject to a surcharge if:

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) under 346.2.0.

Annual presort mailing fee applies.

Content (443.2.0)

Not Flat-Machinable pieces 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 (443)

Mailings of 200 or more addressed pieces (or 50 pounds of addressed pieces), sorted and marked as described below. All pieces must meet the physical standards for NFMs in (401). Pieces are eligible if not required to be mailed at First-Class Mail prices or not eligible for Periodicals prices. Nonprofit prices require specific authorization (703.1.0).

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.

Each piece must bear a correct readable barcode under 708.4.0 or 708.5.0 as applicable, except if prepared in 5-digit/scheme containers or on 5-digit pallets. Pieces under 6 ounces may have a POSTNET (708.4.0), an Intelligent Mail package barcode, or GS1-128 routing barcode (708.5.0). Pieces 6 ounces or more must have a GS1-128 routing barcode or an Intelligent Mail package barcode. For barcode placement, see 402.4.0.

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).

Additional standards apply to mailings of nonidentical-weight pieces.

Documentation:

Mail Preparation (445)

Mark each piece "Not Flat-Machinable" or "NFM" in the postage area (402.2.0) or in the optional endorsement line. Additional markings required:

For pallet preparation, see 705.8.0.

Prepared in sacks (unless palletized). Palletization is preferred, see Quick Service Guide 705d.

Enter and Deposit (446)

Mailing entered at an acceptance point designated by USPS.

Preparation

Sacking Sequence for Pieces Less Than 6 Ounces—when entered at Origin (445.6.3.2)
	Origin NDC Sacks: Required, no minimum. Labels: For Line 1, use L601, Column B. For For Line 2, use "STD NFM NDC." Price: Mixed NDC.	Mixed NDC Sacks: Required, no minimum for all remaining mail. Labels: "MXD" followed by L601, Column B information for NDC serving 3-digit ZIP Code prefix of entry Post Office. For Line 2, use "STD NFM WKG." Price: Mixed NDC
Mailers may make 5-digit bundles of at least five pieces when placed on pallets or in pallet boxes under 705.8.0. No other NFM bundles permitted. For DDU, DSCF, and DNDC price eligibility and preparation see DMM 440.

Sacking Sequence for Pieces 6 Ounces or More—when entered at Origin (445.6.3.3)
	Origin NDC Sacks: Required, no minimum. Labels: For Line 1, use L601, Column B. For Line 2, use "STD NFM MACH NDC." Price: Not Flat-Machinable Mixed NDC.	Mixed NDC Sacks: Required, no minimum for all remaining mail. Labels: For Line 1, "MXD" followed by L601, Column B information for NDC serving the 3-digit ZIP Code prefix of the entry post office. For Line 2, use "STD NFM MACH WKG." Price: Not Flat-Machinable Mixed NDC.
Mailers may make 5-digit bundles of at least five pieces when placed on pallets or in pallet boxes under 705.8.0. No other NFM bundles permitted. For DDU, DSCF, and DNDC price eligibility and preparation see DMM 440.

Not Flat-Machinable Decision Tree
Standard Mail mailpieces that are too thick or too rigid to run on automated flat sorting machines do not qualify for automation prices. These pieces are now categorized as "Not Flat-Machinable." This new category has higher prices than flats but lower prices than other parcels. This decision tree will help you determine if your piece qualifies as an automation flat or a Not Flat-Machinable.
1. Does your mailpiece: a) Meet the minimum and maximum dimensions for an automation flat (see graphic on right), and b) Have a rectangular shape, and c) Meet the flexibility criteria in 301.1.3, and d) Meet the uniform thickness criteria in 301.1.4, and e) Meet the deflection (droop) criteria in 301.1.6 for flimsy pieces? If yes, it meets the physical standards for an automation flat. If no, go to number two. 2. Does your mailpiece: a) Exceed one or more of the maximum dimensions for a letter and not measure more than 12 inches high or 15 inches long, or more than 3/4 inch thick, and b) Meet criteria b, c, and d above? If yes, it meets the physical standards for a nonautomation flat. If no, go to number three.
3. Is your mailpiece rigid or not uniformly thick with the following dimensions? a) At least 4 inches high, but not more than 12 inches high. b) At least 4 inches long, but not more than 15-3/4 inches long. c) At least 0.009 inch thick, but not more than 1-1/4 inches thick. (Pieces less than 5 inches long must be over 1/4 inch thick.) If yes, it meets the physical standards for a Not Flat-Machinable piece. If no, go to number four.
4. Is your mailpiece flexible with the following dimensions? a) At least 4 inches high, but not more than 12 inches high, with either of the following dimensions: b) Over 15 inches long, but not more than 15-3/4 inches long. c) Over 3/4 inches thick, but not more than 1-1/4 inches thick. If yes, it meets the physical standards for a Not Flat-Machinable piece.
Standard Mail flats and Not-Flat Machinable pieces must weigh less than 16 ounces. Nonmachinable letter-size pieces weighing more than 3.3 ounces, unless they qualify to be mailed at automation flat-size prices, also qualify as Not Flat-Machinable pieces.

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