USPS Home | Postal Explorer Home | |
|
Quick Service Guide 705dSpecial StandardsStandard Mail Bundles of Flats on PalletsNovember 7, 2011 Related QSGs340a, Standard Mail Presorted Flats 340b, Standard Mail Automation Flats 340c, Standard Mail Carrier Route Flats Price Eligibility OverviewBundles of Standard Mail must be sorted and prepared under the standards for the price claimed. Prices are bundle-based. Prices are based on the preparation of mail in bundles and are not affected by the pallet on which a bundle is placed. General Bundle Preparation StandardsBundle preparation must meet the applicable general standards in 345.5.0 (Presorted Standard Mail), 345.6.0 (Enhanced Carrier Route Standard Mail), or 345.7.0 (Automation Flat Mail). Mixed ADC bundles may not be placed on pallets. Bundle Size (705.8.9)Prepare a bundle when there are 10 or more pieces for the same presort destination or 10 or 15 pieces as applicable to a 5-digit destination within an individual mailing. Bundles are not subject to a specific thickness limit. When there are fewer than 10 pounds for a destination, the pieces must be prepared in a single physical bundle. When there are 10 or more pounds for a destination, pieces should be prepared in bundles weighing from 10 to 20 pounds each except that the last bundle may weigh less than 10 pounds and mailers may balance the mail in bundles as follows:
Securing Individual Bundles (705.8.5.11)Bundles on pallets must be secure and stable and able to withstand normal transit and handling without breakage or injury to USPS employees. To prevent broken bundles, material used to secure bundles should be of adequate strength, be sealed securely (e.g., by heat or adhesive), and fit tightly around the bundles. Prepare bundles as follows:
Two bands, one around the length and one around the width. Use sufficient tension. Wire and metal strapping are prohibited. Copalletized BundlesCopalletization allows mailers to place together on pallets bundles from separate mailings that have been independently presorted in accordance with applicable standards (e.g., ECR, automation, and Presorted price mailings). Each separate mailing must separately meet the minimum volume and other requirements as set forth in 705.11.0 unless bundles are prepared under 705.11.0 (Preparation of Cobundled Price and Presorted Price Flats) mailers must bundle their mail separately according to the applicable requirements in 345.5.9 for Presort, 345.6.8 for Enhanced Carrier Route, or 345.7.0 for Automation. Copalletization requires Business Mailer Support authorization (705.8.7). Pallet Presort and Labeling (705.8.10)At the mailer’s option, bundles of flats may be palletized using the advanced presort options in 705.10.0, 705.12.0, or 705.13.0. These presort options require PAVE-certified software. Copalletized mailings: Bundles of Presorted price and automation price flats must be placed on separate
Regular: PS Form 3602-R, approved facsimile, or consolidated form. Nonprofit: PS Form 3602-N, approved facsimile, or consolidated form. For copalletized mailings, additional information may be required on the standardized documentation (see 344.4.0).
|