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E700 Package Services

E750 Destination Entry

E753 Combining Package Services Parcels

Summary

E753 describes the eligibility standards for combining Package Services parcels in 5-digit scheme and 5-digit containers for entry at a destination sectional center facility (DSCF) or destination delivery unit (DDU).

1.0 Combining parcels

1.1General

Package Services parcels may be combined, at the mailer's option and when authorized by the USPS, in 5-digit scheme and 5-digit sacks or on 5-digit scheme and 5-digit pallets for entry either at a destination sectional center facility (DSCF) or a destination delivery unit (DDU). All applicable fees for presort and drop shipment must be paid and applicable minimum volume requirements for Presort rates and Parcel Select rates must be met. Combined Package Services mailings must meet the standards in E750, except as provided by this section. Parcels may not be combined for entry at a destination bulk mail center (DBMC). Carrier Route Bound Printed Matter may not be combined with other parcels under these standards. Presorted Media Mail and Presorted Library Mail claimed at basic rates may not be combined with other parcels under these standards. Parcels combined under these standards are not eligible for the barcoded discount.

1.2Basic Standards

Package Services parcels that qualify as machinable, nonmachinable, and irregular under C050 and meet the following conditions may be combined in 5-digit scheme and 5-digit sacks or 5-digit scheme and 5-digit pallets under these conditions:

a. Minimum volume requirements for Parcel Select, Presorted Bound Printed Matter, Presorted Library Mail, and Presorted Media Mail must be met separately before combining.

b. Postage must be paid via permit imprint under an approved manifest mailing system as provided in P910.

c. All parcels must be prepared in sacks under 2.0 or on pallets under 3.0. For mail entered at the DSCF rates, pallet preparation is not permitted for 5-digit ZIP Codes that are unable to handle pallets. Refer to the Drop Ship Product maintained by the National Customer Support Center (NCSC) (see G043) to determine which 5-digit delivery facilities can handle pallets. If a DDU facility cannot handle pallets, and a mailer transports mail to the DDU facility on pallets, the driver will have to unload the pallets into a container specified by the delivery unit.

d. Pieces may be claimed at single-piece rates, Presorted rates, and destination entry rates under 2.1 or 3.1.

e. Separate postage statements must be prepared for each subclass and destination entry rate as appropriate.

f. The deposit of combined Package Services at a DSCF or DDU must be in accordance with applicable drop shipment standards.

1.3Authorization

Mailers apply for Business Mailer Support (BMS) authorization to combine parcels as part of a manifest mailing agreement (P910). Current manifest mailers can apply for additional authorization to combine parcels. This authorization may not exceed 2 years.

2.0 Combined Parcels Prepared in Sacks

2.1Rate Eligibility

In addition to the applicable standards in E750 for destination entry Package Services, the following standards apply for combined Package Services mail prepared in sacks:

a. Parcel Select DSCF rates apply to parcels that are contained in 5-digit scheme and 5-digit sacks, each containing at least 10 pieces of any combination of Package Services, or contained in overflow sacks under 2.2, provided all other requirements for the DSCF rate in E751 are met. Parcel Select DDU rates apply to parcels that are contained in 5-digit scheme and 5-digit sacks, each containing at least 10 pieces of any combination of Package Services, or contained in overflow sacks under 2.2, provided all other requirements for the DDU rate in E751 are met.

b. Presorted Bound Printed Matter DSCF rates apply to parcels that are contained in 5-digit scheme and 5-digit sacks, each containing at least 10 pieces of any combination of Package Services, or contained in overflow sacks under 2.2, provided all other requirements for the DSCF rate in E752 are met. Presorted Bound Printed Matter DDU rates apply to parcels that are contained in 5-digit scheme and 5-digit sacks, each containing at least 10 pieces of any combination of Package Services, or contained in overflow sacks under 2.2, provided all other requirements for the DDU rate in E752 are met.

c. Presorted Library Mail 5-digit rates apply to parcels that are contained in 5-digit scheme and 5-digit sacks, each containing at least 10 pieces of any combination of Package Services, or contained in overflow sacks under 2.2.

d. Presorted Media Mail 5-digit rates apply to parcels that are contained in 5-digit scheme and 5-digit sacks, each containing at least 10 pieces of any combination of Package Services, or contained in overflow sacks under 2.2.

e. Single-piece rate parcels that are contained in 5-digit scheme and 5-digit sacks, each containing at least 10 pieces of any combination of Package Services, or contained in overflow sacks under 2.2, qualify for their applicable single-piece rates.

2.2Sack Preparation

Only 5-digit scheme and 5-digit sacks may be prepared. Each sack of combined Package Services mail must contain at least 10 pieces. One overflow sack containing fewer than 10 pieces is permitted per 5-digit scheme and 5-digit destination.

2.3Sack Labeling

Sack labels must be prepared as follows:

a. 5-digit scheme (optional):

(1) Line 1: use L606, Column B.

(2) Line 2: “PSVC PARCELS 5D SCH.”

b. 5-digit:

(1) Line 1: use city, state, and 5-digit ZIP Code destination of pieces.

(2) Line 2: “PSVC PARCELS 5D.”

3.0 Combined Parcels Prepared on Pallets

3.1Rate Eligibility

In addition to the applicable standards in E750 for destination entry Package Services, the following standards apply for combined Package Services prepared on pallets:

a. Parcel Select DSCF rates apply to pieces that are prepared on 5-digit scheme and 5-digit pallets, each containing at least 50 pieces and 250 pounds or 36 inches of Package Services mail, or contained in overflow sacks under 3.3, and deposited at a DSCF under E751. Parcel Select DDU rates apply to pieces that are prepared on 5-digit scheme and 5-digit pallets, each containing at least 50 pieces and 250 pounds or 36 inches of Package Services mail, or contained in overflow sacks under 3.3, and deposited at a DDU under E751.

b. Presorted Bound Printed Matter DSCF rates apply to pieces that are prepared on 5-digit scheme and 5-digit pallets, each containing at least 50 pieces and 250 pounds or at least 36 inches of Package Services mail, or contained in overflow sacks under 3.3, and deposited at a DSCF under E752. Presorted Bound Printed Matter DDU rates apply to pieces that are prepared on 5-digit scheme and 5-digit pallets, each containing at least 50 pieces and 250 pounds or at least 36 inches of Package Services mail, or contained in overflow sacks under 3.3, and deposited at a DDU under E752.

c. Presorted Library Mail 5-digit rates apply to pieces that are prepared on 5-digit scheme and 5-digit pallets, each containing at least 50 pieces and 250 pounds or 36 inches of Package Services mail, or contained in overflow sacks under 3.3.

d. Presorted Media Mail 5-digit rates apply to pieces that are prepared on 5-digit scheme and 5-digit pallets, each containing at least 50 pieces and 250 pounds or 36 inches of Package Services mail, or contained in overflow sacks under 3.3.

e. Single-piece rate parcels that are prepared on 5-digit scheme and 5-digit pallets, each containing at least 50 pieces and 250 pounds or 36 inches of Package Services mail, or contained in overflow sacks under 3.3, qualify for their applicable single-piece rates.

3.2Pallet Preparation

Only 5-digit scheme and 5-digit pallets may be prepared. Each 5-digit scheme and 5-digit pallet of combined Package Services must contain at least: (1) 50 parcels and 250 pounds of mail, or (2) 36 inches of mail (excluding the height of the pallet). Pallets prepared using either minimum requirement may be combined in the same mailing.

3.3Overflow Sacks

After filling pallets to a 5-digit scheme or 5-digit destination, any remaining pieces that do not meet the minimum pallet requirements may be prepared in 5-digit scheme or 5-digit overflow sacks. Overflow sacks must be labeled as provided in 2.3.

3.4Pallet Labeling

Pallet labels must be prepared as follows: