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M000 General Preparation Standards
M010 Mailpieces
M013 Optional Endorsement Lines
Summary
M013 describes placement of the optional endorsement line (OEL), a method of identifying the sortation level of a package of mail. It explains how OELs are used in lieu of facing slips or pressure-sensitive adhesive labels. The section also covers the standard format for OELs.
1.0 Use
1.1Basic Standards
[1-9-03] An optional endorsement line (OEL) may be used to label packages instead of applying pressure-sensitive package labels or facing slips to the top piece of packages. The OEL must show carrier route information or the type of package and ZIP Code information as shown in Exhibit 1.1. Use of OELs on packages is subject to the standards for the rate claimed. OELs are required with 5-digit scheme packages under M013. At the mailer’s option, pieces in trays of noncarrier route automation letter-size mail may bear OEL information that corresponds to the sortation level of the tray in which the pieces are placed. The ZIP Code for use on OELs must include the 3-digit ZIP Code prefix or 5-digit ZIP Code as required.
[1-9-03]
| Sortation Level | OEL Example |
|---|---|
| Firm—Periodicals | * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * FIRM 12345 |
| Carrier Route—Periodicals basic |
* * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * CAR-RT LOT**C-001 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * CR LOT 1234A**C-001 |
| Carrier Route—Periodicals high density |
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * CAR-RT WSH**C-001 |
| Carrier Route—Periodicals saturation |
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * CAR-RT WSS**C-001 |
| ECR—Standard Mail basic |
** * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ECRLOT**C-001 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ECRLOT 1234A**C-001 |
| ECR—Standard Mail high density |
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ECRWSH**C-001 |
| ECR—Standard Mail saturation |
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ECRWSS**C-001 |
| Carrier Route—Automation (First-Class Mail and Standard Mail) |
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * AUTOCR**C-001 |
| Carrier Route—Bound Printed Matter | * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * CAR-RT SORT**C-001 |
| 5-Digit | * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 5-DIGIT 12345 |
| 5-Digit Scheme (AFSM 100- compatible flats) | * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * SCH 5-DIGIT 12345 |
| 3-Digit | * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 3-DIGIT 771 |
| ADC (3-digit ZIP Code prefix) | * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *ALL FOR ADC 105 |
| ADC (5-digit ZIP Code) | * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *ALL FOR ADC 90197 |
| Mixed ADC (3-digit ZIP Code prefix) |
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * MIXED ADC 640 |
| Mixed ADC (5-digit ZIP Code) |
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * MIXED ADC 60821 |
| Optional tray level piece ID for automation letters: | |
| AADC (3-digit ZIP Code prefix) | * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *ALL FOR AADC 050 |
| AADC (5-digit ZIP Code) | * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *ALL FOR AADC 07099 |
| Mixed AADC (3-digit ZIP Code prefix) |
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * MIXED AADC 870 |
| Mixed AADC (5-digit ZIP Code) |
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * MIXED AADC 75197 |
| Optional tray level for manual processing: | |
| 5-Digit | * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *5-DIGIT 23456 MANUAL ONLY |
| 3-Digit | * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 3-DIGIT 090 MANUAL ONLY |
| ADC (3-digit ZIP Code prefix) | * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *ALL FOR ADC 103 MANUAL ONLY |
| ADC (5-digit ZIP Code) | * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *ALL FOR ADC 98765 MANUAL ONLY |
| Mixed ADC (3-digit ZIP Code prefix) |
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * MIXED ADC 630 MANUAL ONLY |
| Mixed ADC (5-digit ZIP Code) |
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * MIXED ADC 12345 MANUAL ONLY |
1.2Keyline
[1-23-03] A mailer's keyline or comparable information may not be placed on the same line as the OEL or on the line above the OEL. A keyline used on valid ACS mailpieces is subject also to 2.4.
1.3Firm Package
On a firm package of carrier route presorted Periodicals, “FIRM” may precede “CAR-RT SORT” in the carrier route information line under M014.
1.4Rate Markings
At the mailer’s option, rate markings required by the standards for the rate claimed may be included in the OEL if the OEL appears on each piece in the mailing and if it remains a single line with the basic package label information (required by 1.1) at the right end (e.g., on a carrier route package of Enhanced Carrier Route Saturation Standard Mail: * * * * ECRWSS**C-001; on an automation Standard Mail 3-digit package: * * * * AUTO**3-DIGIT 750).
1.5Exceptional Address Format
[6-12-03] The exceptional address format may appear above the OEL as specified in A020.
1.6OEL with LOT Information
At the mailer’s option, line-of-travel (LOT) information for carrier route Periodicals and Enhanced Carrier Route Standard Mail may be included in the OEL using the applicable format in 1.1. All other OEL requirements apply. If there is insufficient space within the OEL to include any other information required (e.g., ACS participant code), this OEL format may not be used.
2.0 Format
2.1Presort Identification
Except when an address block barcode is placed above the optional endorsement line (OEL), the appropriate presort identification must be the first line at the top of the address block or label. A mailer receiving address corrections through Address Change Service (ACS) may use the first eight positions on the left side of the OEL for the ACS participant code.
2.2Size and Style of Type
The information in the OEL must be in capital letters with letter size and line spacing no less than the size and line spacing of the largest letters or characters in the address block or any part of the address label. Letters in the endorsement line must be the same type font as those in the address block. Only capital letters of the alphabet, Arabic numerals, or asterisks may be used in the OEL.
2.3ACS Code in OEL
[10-3-02] If an Address Change Service (ACS) participant code (see 3.0) is used in an OEL on a label or in an address block, the delimiter symbol (#) must be in the first position at the left margin of the OEL, followed by the seven-character USPS-assigned ACS participant code, then one blank space. The remaining blank spaces between the left-justified delimiter and ACS participant code and the first character of the right-justified mail sortation information of the OEL must be filled with asterisks.
2.4No ACS Code in OEL
[1-23-03] [10-3-02] If an ACS participant code is not placed in the OEL as permitted by 3.2 or is not used at all, the OEL must be filled with asterisks from the left margin of the label or address block (as defined by the position of the first character printed at the left margin in the label or address block) up to the first character in the OEL. A keyline prepared under 1.2 is required on valid ACS mailpieces if an ACS participant wants to receive notification of nondelivery information under F010.4.1 in addition to address correction service.
2.5ZIP Code Information
[10-3-02] Except for carrier route packages, the OEL must include the ZIP Code information (5-digit ZIP Code or 3-digit ZIP Code prefix) determined by the sortation level and, when applicable, by the labeling list designated in Exhibit 2.5 for ADC, mixed ADC, AADC, or mixed AADC sortation levels. Carrier route OELs must show carrier route information as specified in M014.
[5-1-03] [1-9-03] [10-3-02]
| Mail Class | Processing Category and Presort Type | ADC/ AADC |
Mixed ADC/ Mixed AADC |
| First-Class Mail | Letters, nonmachinable | L004 | L002, Column C |
| Letters, machinable | L801 | L002, Column C | |
| Letters, automation | L801 | L002, Column C | |
| Flats, nonautomation | L004 | L002, Column C | |
| Flats, automation | L004 | L002, Column C | |
| Parcels | L004 | L002, Column C | |
| Periodicals1 | Letters, nonautomation | L004 | L004 |
| Letters, automation | L801 | L8032 | |
| Flats, nonautomation | L004 | L004 | |
| Flats, automation | L004 | L8032 | |
| Irregular parcels | L004 | L004 | |
| Standard Mail1 | Letters, nonmachinable | L004 | L0043 |
| Letters, machinable | L801 | L8032, 3 | |
| Letters, automation | L801 | L8032, 3 | |
| Flats, nonautomation | L004 | L0043 | |
| Flats, automation | L004 | L8032, 3 | |
| Irregular parcels | L603 | L604 | |
| Bound Printed Matter1 | Flats, nonbarcoded | L004 | L004 |
| Flats, barcoded | L004 | L8032 | |
| Irregular parcels | L004 | L004 | |
| Media Mail | Flats, nonautomation | L004 | L004 |
| Irregular parcels | L004 | L004 | |
| Library Mail | Flats, nonautomation | L004 | L004 |
| Irregular parcels | L004 | L004 | |
| 1. For AFSM 100-compatible flats, label according to L007 for optional 5-digit scheme preparation. 2. L802 if mail entered by mailer at a destination ASF or BMC. | |||
| 3. L802 if mail prepared for a destination ASF or BMC pallet under option in M045.3.2. | |||
3.0 [10-3-02] ADDRESS CHANGE SERVICE
3.1Participant Code
The Address Change Service (ACS) participant code is provided to authorized mailers by the National Customer Support Center (NCSC) (see G043 for address). The participant code consists of seven alpha characters, aligned left, and must be preceded by a single pound sign (#) delimiter.
3.2Placement
The ACS participant code may be placed in one of two positions:
a. In the optional endorsement line. The participant code must occupy the first eight positions on the left side of the OEL and be formatted as provided in 2.3.
b. On the mailpiece or an address label directly below the ancillary service endorsement, left-justified, when the endorsement is placed directly above the address block, if these additional standards are met:
(1) [1-9-03] The mailpiece must be letter-size and machinable (C050) or automation-compatible (C810) with or without a barcode, or flat-size (C050) with or without a barcode.
(2) [1-9-03] If mailer keyline information is used, it must be the top line of the address block. A barcode may not be placed above a mailer keyline.
(3) If a window envelope is used, the clearance between the top line (mailer keyline) of the address block and the top edge of the address window must be at least 1/25 inch. This clearance must be maintained during the range of movement of the insert in the envelope.
(4) If an address label is used, the clearance between the top line (mailer keyline) of the address block and the top edge of the address label must be at least 1/25 inch.
(5) The ACS participant code and ancillary service endorsement must be printed in a non-narrow variant of Helvetica or Arial sans serif font in the range of 10 to 12 points.
DMM Issue 58 (8-10-03)