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Quick Service Guide
230e
January 25, 2015
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201d, Designing Flats for Automated Processing
Maximum weight: 13 ounces.
For an overview of the physical standards for commercial flats, see Quick Service Guide 201c.
For a complete list of Commercial First-Class Mail prices, see Notice 123–Price List.
Annual presort mailing fee applies.
First-Class Mail is required for personal correspondence, handwritten or typewritten material, and bills or statements of account. It may also be used for any mailable item, including advertisements and lightweight merchandise.
Mailings of 500 or more addressed pieces must be automation-compatible (201.6.0), bear a delivery point or Intelligent Mail barcode (708.4.0), sorted and marked as described below.
Each piece must also include a complete delivery address with correct ZIP Code or ZIP+4 Code. For address standards, see 233.5.7; for barcode quality standards, see 708.4.0; and for CASS/MASS standards, see 708.3.0.
Addresses on all pieces must be updated within 95 days before mailing with a USPS-approved address update tool (e.g., ACS, NCOALink, or the appropriate ancillary service endorsement except Forwarding Services Requested, under 507.1.5). For an overview of the Move Update standard, see Quick Service Guide 602a.
Addresses must be matched using a CASS/MASS-certified process within 180 days before mailing.
All letter-size reply cards and envelopes (Business Reply Mail, Courtesy Reply Mail, and metered reply mail) provided as enclosures must meet the standards in 201.3.17.
Mailers can apply Repositionable Notes for an additional charge. See 202.7.0.
Postage Payment and Documentation (234)
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: Marking on each piece in the postage area (302.3.0): “Presorted (or PRSRT) First-Class Mail” or “AUTO” and “First-Class Mail.” For optional location, see 201.3.0. Barcoded tray labels required (235.4.0). Flat trays capped (green side up) and secured with two straps. Any mailing job that contains bundles of presorted flats and bundles of automation flats must be co-trayed using 705.9.1. Mailing entered at an acceptance point designated by USPS.
Bundle-Based Preparation (235.6.5) | 5-Digit1 Bundles: Optional, pieces must be bundled if 10 or more pieces to same 5-digit ZIP Code; fewer than 10 pieces in a bundle not permitted.2 Labels: Red Label 5 or optional endorsement line (OEL) (708.7.0). Price: 5-Digit | 3-Digit Bundles: Required, pieces must be bundled if 10 or more pieces to same 3-digit ZIP Code prefix; fewer than 10 pieces in a bundle not permitted.2 Labels: Green Label 3 or OEL. Price: 3-Digit | ADC Bundles: Required, pieces must be bundled if 10 or more pieces to same ADC (see L004); fewer than 10 pieces in a bundle not permitted.2 Labels: Pink Label A or OEL. Price: ADC | Mixed ADC Bundles: Any remaining pieces must be bundled in mixed ADC bundles. Labels: Tan Label X or OEL. Price: Mixed ADC | 
| Trays: Optional, full trays only for bundles to same 5-digit ZIP Code; bundling not required in full trays; less-than-full trays not permitted. Barcoded Labels: For Line 1, use city, state, and 5-digit ZIP Code on mail. | Trays: Required, full trays only for bundles to same 3-digit ZIP Code prefix; less-than-full trays not permitted. (Exception: After all full trays are prepared, one less-than-full tray must be prepared for any remaining bundles for each 3-digit ZIP Code prefix of SCF serving post office where mail is verified.) Barcoded Labels: For Line 1, use L002, Column A, for destination facility. | Trays: Required, full trays only for bundles to same ADC (see L004); less-than-full trays not permitted. Barcoded Labels: For Line 1, use L004, Column B, for destination facility. | Trays: Required for any remaining bundles. Only one less-than-full tray permitted. Barcoded Labels: For Line 1, use L201. For mail originating in 3-digit ZIP Codes in Column A, use “MXD” followed by city/state/3-digit ZIP Code in Column C. | 1. For optional 5-digit scheme preparation, see 235.8.7. 2. Bundles may contain less than 10 pieces when there are at least 10 pieces to a destination and the bundle size would exceed the maximum size (203.3.12). For flats, a full tray is defined as one that contains at least a single stack of pieces lying flat that reaches the bottom of handholds, but no more than can be contained in tray with cover secured in place with two straps. When possible, pieces must be placed in two stacks to optimize tray use. Total weight of tray may not exceed 70 pounds. |
Tray-Based Preparation (235.6.6) | 5-Digit Trays: Optional, 90-piece minimum, fewer pieces not permitted; one less-than-full or overflow tray allowed. Barcoded Labels: For Line 1, use city, state, and 5-digit ZIP Code on mail. Price: 5-Digit | 3-Digit Trays: Required, 90-piece minimum, fewer pieces not permitted; one less-than-full or overflow tray allowed. After all full trays are prepared, one less-than-full tray must be prepared for any pieces remaining for each origin 3-digit ZIP Code prefix. Barcoded Labels: For Line 1, use L002, Column A for 3-digit destinations. Price: 3-Digit or ADC1 | ADC Trays: Required, 90-piece minimum, fewer pieces not permitted; one less-than-full or overflow tray allowed; group pieces by 3-digit ZIP Code prefix. (Exception: Pieces do not have to be grouped by 3-digit ZIP Code if mailing is prepared using MLOCR and standardized documentation is submitted.) Barcoded Labels: For Line 1, use L004. Price: ADC | Mixed ADC Trays: Required, no minimum, group by ADC. (Exception: Pieces do not have to be grouped by ADC if mailing is prepared using MLOCR and standardized documentation is submitted.) Barcoded Labels: For Line 1, useL201. For mail originating in
3-digit ZIP Codes in Column A, use “MXD” followed by city/state/3-digit ZIP Code in Column C. Price: Mixed ADC | 
| For flats, a full tray is defined as one that contains at least a single stack of pieces lying flat that reaches the bottom of handholds, but no more than can be contained in tray with cover secured in place with two straps. Total weight of tray may not exceed 70 pounds. Mailers choosing to prepare their mail using the tray-based preparation option would not be eligible to prepare their mail for the cotraying preparation in 705.9.0. |
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