E712 Bound Printed Matter

Summary

E712 describes the eligibility standards for single-piece, Presorted, and Carrier Route Bound Printed Matter.

1.0 Basic Standards

1.1Description

Bound Printed Matter (BPM) is a subclass of Package Services. BPM must:

a. Meet the basic standards for Package Services mail in E710.

b. Weigh no more than 15 pounds. Pieces might be subject to other minimum weights or dimensions based on the standards for specific rates.

c. Consist of advertising, promotional, directory, or editorial material (or any combination of such material).

d. Be securely bound by permanent fastenings such as staples, spiral binding, glue, or stitching. Loose-leaf binders and similar fastenings are not considered permanent.

e. Consist of sheets of which at least 90% are imprinted by any process other than handwriting or typewriting with words, letters, characters, figures, or images (or any combination of them).

f. Not have the nature of personal correspondence.

g. Not be stationery, such as pads of blank printed forms.

1.2Enclosures

In addition to the basic standards in E710, BPM may have the following additions and enclosures:

a. Any printed matter mailable as Standard Mail.

b. Nonprint attachments and enclosures. The combined weight of all nonprint attachments and enclosures in the mailpiece must be less than or equal to 25% of the weight of the BPM in the mailpiece. The individual cost of each nonprint attachment or enclosure must be less than or equal to the cost of a “low cost” item as defined in E670.5.11. In addition, the combined cost of all nonprint attachments and enclosures must not exceed two times the cost of a “low cost” item as defined in E670.5.11.

1.3Nonidentical-Weight Pieces

Mailings may contain nonidentical-weight pieces only if the correct postage is affixed to each piece or if Business Mailer Support (BMS) has authorized payment of postage by permit imprint under P910 or P930.

2.0 Rates

BPM rates are based on the weight of a single addressed piece or 1 pound, whichever is higher, and the zone (where applicable) to which the piece is addressed. Rate categories are as follows:

a. Single-Piece Rate. The single-piece rate applies to BPM not mailed at the Presorted rate or Carrier Route rate.

b. Presorted Rate. The Presorted rate applies to BPM prepared in a mailing of at least 300 pieces, prepared and presorted as specified in M045 or M722.

c. Carrier Route Rate. The Carrier Route rate applies to BPM prepared in a mailing of at least 300 pieces presorted to carrier routes, prepared and presorted as specified in M045 or M723.

d. Barcoded Discount—Machinable Parcels. The barcoded discount applies only to BPM machinable parcels (see C050.4.1) that bear a correct, readable barcode under C850 for the ZIP Code of the delivery address. The pieces must be part of a single-piece rate mailing of 50 or more BPM parcels or part of a presort rate mailing of at least 300 BPM parcels prepared under M045 and M720. The barcoded discount is not available for parcels mailed at Presorted DDU or DSCF rates, or for Presorted DBMC rate mailings entered at an ASF other than the Phoenix, AZ, ASF. Carrier route rate mail is not eligible for the barcoded discount.

e. Barcoded Discount—Flats. The barcoded discount applies only to BPM flat-size pieces that bear a correct, readable ZIP+4 or delivery point barcode (DPBC) under C840 for the ZIP+4 Code, or numeric DPBC of the delivery address. The pieces must be part of a single-piece rate mailing of 50 or more flat-size pieces or part of a presort rate mailing of at least 300 BPM flat-size pieces prepared under M045 and M820. The barcoded discount is not available for flat-size pieces mailed at Presorted DDU rates or carrier route rates. To qualify for the barcoded discount, the flat-size piece must meet the flat sorting machine requirements under C820.2.0.

3.0 [6-12-03] Additional Standards

3.1Presorted Rates

In addition to the basic standards in 1.0, all pieces in a Bound Printed Matter Presorted rate mailing must:

a. Bear a delivery address that includes the correct ZIP Code or ZIP+4 code and that meets these address quality standards:

(1) The ZIP Code accuracy standard in A030.2.0.

(2) If the barcoded discount for flat-size pieces is claimed (see 2.0), the additional address matching and coding standards in A800 and A950.

(3) If an alternative addressing format is used, the additional standards in A020.

(4) If pieces are prepared with detached address labels, the additional standards in A060.

b. Meet the preparation standards under M045 or M722 or, for flat-size mail claiming the barcoded discount, under M045 or M820.

3.2Carrier Route Rates

In addition to the basic standards in 1.0, all pieces in a Bound Printed Matter carrier route rate mailing must:

a. Bear a delivery address that includes the correct ZIP Code or ZIP+4 code and that meets these address quality standards:

(1) The carrier route accuracy standard in A030.3.0.

(2) If an alternative addressing format is used, the additional standards in A020.

(3) If pieces are prepared with detached address labels, the additional standards in A060.

b. Meet the preparation standards in M045 or M723.

3.3Destination Entry Rates

Eligibility standards are in E752 for Presorted and carrier route destination delivery unit (DDU) rates, destination sectional center facility (DSCF) rates, and destination bulk mail center (DBMC) rates.

DMM Issue 58 (8-10-03)

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