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D200 Periodicals
D210 Basic Information
Summary
D210 describes service objectives and standards for mailing at the Periodicals rate. It also covers exceptional dispatch and deposit of Periodicals at airport mail facilities.
1.0 Service Objectives
The USPS does not guarantee the delivery of Periodicals within a specified time. Publications authorized or pending authorization for Periodicals entry receive, where practicable, expeditious distribution, dispatch, transit handling, and delivery. Publications labeled “NEWS” receive newspaper treatment if published weekly or more often or if authorized such treatment as of March 1, 1984.
2.0 Mail Deposit
[9-4-03] Only a publisher or registered news agent authorized Periodicals mailing privileges may mail at the Periodicals rates. The First-Class Mail, Standard Mail, or Package Services rate must be paid on all copies mailed by the public or by a printer to a publisher. The publisher or news agent must present mailings at the Periodicals rates only:
a. At post offices where original entry, additional entry, or exceptional dispatch is authorized.
b. At the times and places designated by the postmaster of the office of mailing or by the AMC/AMF manager.
3.0 Exceptional Dispatch
3.1Purpose
The postmaster of an entry post office may authorize a publisher to deliver copies of a time-sensitive Periodicals publication, at the publisher’s own expense and risk, by exceptional dispatch from the post office of original or additional entry to other post offices.
3.2Intended Use
The provision for exceptional dispatch is intended for short-haul local distribution (zones 1 and 2) of publications with total circulation of no more than 25,000 and is not to be used to circumvent additional entry standards. Applications for exceptional dispatch for publications with over 25,000 total circulation may be considered on a case-by-case basis for possible waiver of the 25,000-circulation limit.
3.3Prohibition
Exceptional dispatch may not be used for publications authorized to be mailed under the Centralized Postage Payment System or under the plant-verified drop shipment postage payment system.
3.4Destination Rates
Copies of Periodicals publications deposited under exceptional dispatch may be eligible for and claimed at the destination sectional center facility (DSCF) or destination delivery unit (DDU) rates if the applicable standards in E250 are met.
3.5Application
The publisher must file an application for exceptional dispatch at the office of original or additional entry where the postage is paid on the copies to be transported. The application must fully explain the proposed exceptional dispatch and include information on the mode of transportation and approximate time of arrival and the number of pieces qualifying for and mailed at the various presort level discount rates. If the number of pieces qualifying for and mailed at such rates changes more than 2%, the publisher must file an amended application with the approving office. The application may be filed jointly with applications for original entry, reentry, or special rates, or filed separately. No form is provided for this application.
3.6Approval
The postmaster who received the application approves it if the requested exceptional dispatch improves service and does not add to USPS costs.
3.7Denial
Denial of an application for exceptional dispatch may be appealed to the PCSC. The PCSC manager issues the final decision.
4.0 Deposit at AMF
4.1General
[9-4-03] Periodicals publications air freighted to an AMC/AMF must have either an original or additional entry authorization at the verifying office (i.e., the post office where those copies are presented for postal verification) and must be presented to an AMC/AMF under the PVDS program. Postage must be paid at the verifying office unless the publication is authorized under the Centralized Postage Payment program.
4.2Application
Authorization to enter airfreighted copies of a Periodicals publication at an AMF is obtained by filing an additional entry application. The distribution plan on Form 3510 must show the AMF as the entry point rather than the administering office (i.e., the post office responsible for the AMF). A publisher using plant-verified drop shipment must submit a copy of the distribution plan for the airfreighted copies to the administering office postmaster.
4.3Reentry Fee
The required additional entry fee is not due if:
a. Form 3510 is submitted with either an initial application for Periodicals mailing privileges or an application for reentry at a new original entry office, and the AMF is under the jurisdiction of that original entry office.
b. The verifying office is already an authorized original or additional entry for the publication.
4.4Publisher Responsibilities
[9-4-03] For each mailing to be presented at the AMF, the publisher or agent is required:
a. To provide the administering office postmaster with a delivery schedule (including the publication title, volume, air carrier, flight number, and arrival schedule) before the first mailing under the authorization. A revised schedule must be provided when there are changes.
b. To arrange for delivery of the airfreighted copies of the publication to the AMC/AMF “back dock” or other area designated by the AMC/AMF manager.
c. To arrange for payment of postage and submission of required postage statements and documentation with the copies of the publication to the verifying post office.
d. To notify the designated AMF contact person when there are deviations from established transportation and delivery schedules.
e. To ensure that Form 8125 accompanies each shipment.
The total number of airline cargo containers must be annotated on the
form in the comment section. Each airline cargo container must be sequentially
numbered
(e.g., 1 of 4, 2 of 4, etc.), and a copy of Form 8125 must be affixed
to each airline cargo container.
f. To provide a list, at least once a year, of publications entered at the AMC/AMF and a 24-hour contact number to the AMC/AMF manager.
g. To follow procedures outlined in Network Operation Management’s standard operating procedures (SOP). The procedures are available from the AMC/AMF manager.
4.5Nonconforming Mailers
When a Periodicals mailing presented to an AMC/AMF fails to meet the procedures outlined in Network Operation Management’s SOP or fails to meet either the basic mail preparation standards or the PVDS entry integrity and safety standards, the USPS will inform the mailer, or the mailer’s agent, who presented the mailing. If, after the initial notification, the mailer continues to fail to meet the standards, the mailer is considered nonconforming. If a mailer is found to be nonconforming, its authorization to enter mail at an AMC/AMF may be revoked.
DMM Issue 58 Updated 12-9-04