QSG 450 Commercial Parcels

ARCHIVED QSG - MAY 05, 2014

	USPS Home \| Postal Explorer Home

Quick Service Guide 450

Commercial Parcels

Parcel Select
May 5, 2014
Printer-Friendly PDF

Physical Standards (401)

Maximum weight:

Parcel Select: 70 pounds.

Maximum length and girth:

Parcel Select: 130 inches.

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

Prices and Fees (453.1.0)

Available prices:

Parcel Select Destination Entry (DNDC, DSCF, and DDU), Parcel Select ONDC and NDC Presort, and Parcel Select Nonpresort.

Price determination: Parcel Select Destination Entry DSCF and DDU prices are based on weight only, all other prices are based on weight and zone.

Oversized price: pieces exceeding 108 inches but not more than 130 inches in combined length and girth are mailable at the Parcel Select oversized price for the zone to which addressed.

Balloon price: parcels that weigh less than 20 pounds but measuring more than 84 inches (but not exceeding 108 inches) in combined length and girth are charged the 20-pound price for the zone to which addressed (453.4.6).

Destination Entry (453.3.0):

DNDC: entered at the destination NDC/ASF for delivery within the DNDC/ASF service area and part of a mailing of 50 or more Parcel Select pieces. Nonmachinable parcels are subject to a surcharge (does not apply to pieces mailed at oversized prices or sent with special handling).
DSCF: entered at the designated facility for delivery within the DSCF area, sorted by 5-digit scheme or
5-digit ZIP Code destinations, and part of a mailing of 50 or more Parcel Select pieces. Nonmachinable parcels sorted to 3-digit ZIP Code areas subject to surcharge (453.3.1.4a).
DDU: entered at the designated destination delivery unit for delivery within the DDU area and part of a mailing of 50 or more Parcel Select pieces (453.4.1.4b).

Annual Parcel Select destination entry (DNDC, DSCF, and DDU) fee applies.

Additional Service Fee applies to mailpieces returned as undeliverable as addressed.

Content (453.2.0)

Parcel Select is matter not mailed at Package Services prices (Bound Printed Matter, Media Mail, or Library Mail). Any Package Services matter may be mailed at Parcel Select prices, subject to the basic standards in 453.2.0.

Generally used for shipping merchandise.

Eligibility Standards (453.3.0)

Minimum mailing:

Parcel Select: 50-piece minimum. Pieces sorted and marked as described on page two.
Parcel Select Lightweight: 200 pieces or 50 pounds of mail per mailing.

Each piece must include a complete delivery and return address and a correct ZIP Code or ZIP+4 code (453.4.7).

All commercial Parcel Select mailpieces must meet the requirements for use of unique Intelligent Mail package barcodes (IMpb) or an extra service IMpb. Mailpieces not meeting this requirement will be assessed an IMpb noncompliance fee as outlined in Publication 199 available on RIBBS at https://ribbs.usps.gov/.

Mailing items with no ancillary service endorsement obligates the mailer to pay the applicable forwarding and return postage at Parcel Select barcoded nonpresort prices, plus an additional service fee (507.1.5.4).

Extra Services (503)

Parcel Select may use Adult Signature services, COD, USPS Tracking, insurance, return receipt for merchandise, Signature Confirmation, and special handling. Parcel Select destination entry pieces are eligible for no-fee electronic USPS Tracking. Return receipt and restricted delivery are available for COD mail or mail insured for more than $200.

Preparation


Parcel Select NDC Presort and ONDC Presort Preparation
NDC Presort and ONDC Presort (455.5.0)	ONDC Presort and NDC Presort: sorted to NDC if machinable or NDCs/ASFs if nonmachinable. See Quick Service Guide 705c Parcel Select NDC and ONDC Presort.


Parcel Select Nonpresort Preparation
Nonpresorted (455.6.0)	Pieces must be separated by zones when presented for acceptance unless either the correct postage is affixed to each piece or the mailing is prepared under 455.1.7, Commingled Zones, or the mailing is presented under a special postage payment system under 705.2.0, Manifest Mailing System, 705.3.0, Optional Procedure Mailing System, or 705.4.0, Alternate Mailing System. Pallets: See 705.8.0 for pallet preparation.


Parcel Select Lightweight Preparation
Parcel Select Lightweight (455.8.0)	Machinable – pieces sorted to 5-digit/scheme (optional), ASF (optional), NDC (optional), Origin NDC (required), and Mixed NDC (required) based on price claimed. Irregular parcels – pieces sorted to 5-digit/scheme (optional), SCF (optional), ASF (optional), NDC (optional) Origin NDC (required), and Mixed NDC (required) based on the price claimed.


Parcel Select Destination Entry DNDC, DSCF, and DDU Preparation
DNDC DNDC price applies to parcels deposited at the destination NDC/ASF (453.4.1.3). Parcels claimed at the DNDC price must meet the standards in 455.4.3, including: Must be part of a mailing of 50 or more Parcel Select pieces (at any price). Must be addressed for delivery within the service area of the NDC/ASF where the mail is deposited. Machinable parcels claiming the DNDC price must bear a correct barcode under 708.5.0 for the ZIP Code of the delivery address. Nonbarcoded machinable parcels are eligible for Standard Post prices, and are not eligible for DNDC prices. Preparation: For machinable parcels on pallets, see 705.8.10.6. For machinable parcels prepared in sacks, see 455.4.3.3. For bedloaded parcels, see 456.2.0. Special preparation may be required for nonmachinable parcels. DNDC price machinable parcels and nonmachinable parcels may not be combined in the same container. Price: DNDC, see 453.1.2.	DSCF DSCF price applies to parcels deposited at the destination SCF listed in L005. Pieces claimed at the DSCF price must meet the standards in 455.4.2, including: Must be part of a mailing of 50 or more Parcel Select pieces (at any price). Must be addressed for delivery within the service area of the SCF where the mail is deposited. Nonmachinable parcels sorted to 3-digit ZIP Code areas and claimed at a DSCF price must be entered at a designated SCF under L005 (for exceptions see 455.4.2). Preparation: Must be sacked or placed directly on pallets or in pallet boxes. Machinable and nonmachinable parcels may be combined in the same container. Sacks: Must be in 5-digit scheme or 5-digit sacks. Minimum seven pieces per sack, one overflow sack permitted per 5-digit scheme or 5-digit ZIP Code. After all possible 5-digit scheme or 5-digit sacks are prepared, any remaining 3-digit nonmachinable parcels are placed in 3-digit sacks, no minimum required. Sack Labels 5-digit scheme: For Line 1, use L606, Column B. For Line 2, use “PSVC PARCELS 5D SCH.” 5-digit: For Line 1, use city, state, and 5-digit ZIP Code on mail. For Line 2, “PSVC PARCELS 5D.” 3-digit nonmachinable: For Line 1, use L002, Column C. For Line 2, “PSVC 3D NON MACH.” Pallets: See 705.8.10 for pallet preparation standards. Must be on 5-digit scheme, 5-digit pallets, or 3-digit (nonmachinable) destinations. Pallet boxes cannot exceed 60 inches in height. If the 5-digit destination facility cannot handle pallets, the DSCF price is not available for mail on pallets; however, mail for those facilities can be put into sacks that are placed on pallets (see 705.8.21). Pallet Labels: See 705.8.6. Price: DSCF, see 453.2.0. DNDC price for overflow pallet.	DDU DDU price applies to parcels deposited at the destination delivery unit. Parcels claimed at the DDU price must meet the standards in 455.4.1, including: Must be part of a mailing of 50 or more Parcel Select pieces (at any price). Must be addressed for delivery within the service area of the delivery unit where the mail is deposited. Preparation: Must be bedloaded, sacked, or placed directly on pallets or in pallet boxes. Machinable and nonmachinable pieces may be combined. Sacks: Must be in 5-digit scheme or 5-digit sacks. There are no piece or weight minimums. Sack Labels 5-digit scheme: For Line 1, use L606, Column B. For Line 2, use “PSVC PARCELS 5D SCH.” 5-digit: For Line 1, use city, state, and 5-digit ZIP Code on mail. For Line 2, “PSVC PARCELS 5D.” Pallets: Must be on 5-digit scheme or 5-digit pallets. There are no piece or weight minimums. Pallet boxes cannot exceed 60 inches in height. Pallets or pallet boxes may be used only if the delivery unit can handle pallets or if mailer unloads pallets into a container specified by the delivery unit. Pallet Labels 5-digit scheme: For Line 1, use L606, Column B. For Line 2, use “PSVC PARCELS 5D SCH.” 5-digit: For Line 1, use city, state, and 5-digit ZIP Code on mail. For Line 2, use “PSVC PARCELS 5D.” Price: DDU, see 453.2.0.