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P600 Standard Mail
Summary
P600 describes payment options and documentation requirements for Standard Mail.
1.0 Basic Information
1.1Payment Method
The mailer is responsible for proper postage payment. Postage for Standard Mail must be paid with meter, permit imprint, or precanceled stamps. Postage-affixed pieces must bear the correct postage unless excepted by standard. A permit imprint may be used for mailings that contain nonidentical-weight pieces only if authorized by Business Mailer Support at USPS Headquarters.
1.2Postage Statement and Documentation
A complete postage statement must accompany each Standard Mail mailing. The postage statement must be supported by documentation as required by P012 and the rate claimed unless the correct rate is affixed to each piece or if each piece is of identical weight and the pieces are separated by rate when presented for acceptance.
2.0 Presorted and Enhanced Carrier Route Rates
2.1Identical-Weight Pieces
Mailings of identical-weight pieces may have postage affixed to each piece at the exact rate for which the piece qualifies, or each piece in the mailing may have postage affixed at the lowest rate applicable to pieces in the mailing or mailing job. Alternatively, a nondenominated precanceled stamp may be affixed to every piece in the mailing or mailing job, or each piece may bear a permit imprint. If exact postage is not affixed, all additional postage and surcharges must be paid at the time of mailing with an advance deposit account or with a meter strip affixed to the required postage statement. If exact postage is not affixed, documentation meeting the standards in P012 must be submitted to substantiate the additional postage unless the pieces are identical weight and separated by rate when presented for acceptance.
2.2Nonidentical-Weight Pieces
Postage for nonidentical-weight pieces subject to the minimum per piece rates may be paid by meter stamps, precanceled stamps, or precanceled stamped envelopes. Mailings of nonidentical-weight pieces subject to the piece/pound rates may have postage paid by permit imprint (if the mailer is authorized by Business Mailer Support) or by meter or precanceled stamps (if each piece has the full postage affixed). Alternatively, except for heavy automation and Enhanced Carrier Route letters, the mailer may affix the per piece rate to each piece and pay the pound rate for the mailing through an advance deposit account. Under this alternative, the mailer must provide a postage statement for each payment method and mark each piece “Pound Rate Pd via Permit,” in the postage meter indicium or ad plate or other means that ensures a legible endorsement. For mailings of nonidentical-weight pieces, “nonidentical” must be shown as the weight of a single piece on the applicable postage statement; other entries must be completed as directed.
2.3Combined Rate
Meter postage may be used for combined rate mailings containing both pieces subject to pound rates and pieces subject to minimum per piece charges. Postage for such mailings may be paid with permit imprint only if authorized by Business Mailer Support.
3.0 Automation Rates
3.1Payment Method
Postage on any mailing made at an automation rate must be paid with meter stamps, permit imprints, or precanceled postage. Unless permitted by other standards or USPS authorization, when precanceled postage or meter stamps are used, only one payment method may be used in a mailing, and each piece must bear the correct postage at the rate claimed based on its eligibility. For mailings of nonidentical-weight pieces subject to the piece/pound rates, the mailer may affix the applicable per piece rate to each piece and pay the pound rate for the mailing by a permit imprint advance deposit account. All pieces prepared this way in the same mailing must be subject to the same pound rate. A postage statement must be submitted for each payment method and each piece must be marked “Pound Rate Pd via Permit,” in the postage meter indicium or ad plate or other means that ensures a legible endorsement. “Nonidentical” must be shown as the weight of a single piece on the applicable postage statement.
3.2Meter or Precanceled Stamps
In a metered or precanceled stamp mailing:
a. Each piece must bear a precanceled stamp or meter postage in the exact postage or at the lowest rate applicable to pieces in the mailing job. If exact postage is not affixed, all additional postage must be paid at the time of mailing through an advance deposit account or with a meter stamp affixed to the required postage statement.
b. Documentation presented with the postage statement must show the computation of the additional postage due for pieces not bearing full postage at the applicable rate (i.e., the difference between what the pieces bear and the correct postage at the rate for which each qualifies).
3.3Nondenominated Precanceled Stamps
A mailer may use nondenominated precanceled stamps if:
a. Stamps are affixed to every piece in the mailing.
b. Additional postage is paid at the time of mailing by advance deposit account or meter stamp affixed to the back of the accompanying postage statement.
c. Documentation is presented with the postage statement as described in 3.2b.
3.4Precanceled Stamps in Lower Rate Denominations
A mailer may use precanceled stamps of a denomination less than the postage for the lowest rate in the mailing if:
a. The stamps do not bear an improper rate marking.
b. The same denomination of stamp is affixed to every piece in the mailing.
c. Additional postage is paid at the time of mailing by advance deposit account or meter stamp affixed to the back of the accompanying postage statement.
d. Documentation is presented with the postage statement as described in 3.2b.
3.5Mixed Rate Mailing
Where it is not practicable for the mailer to affix the exact postage to each piece or to affix the lowest postage rate to all pieces in the mailing, the mailer may compute postage for the mailing as if the lowest rate affixed to any piece in the mailing were affixed to all pieces. Additional postage is computed based on the difference between the lowest rate affixed to any piece in the mailing and the rate for each rate level in the mailing. This computation must be documented to meet the basic standards in P012. No refund is paid for any piece where postage is affixed at a rate higher than the lowest rate claimed for or affixed to any piece. The total additional postage must be paid either by advance deposit account or by a meter stamp affixed to the back of the accompanying postage statement.
4.0 Machinable Parcel Barcoded Discount
4.1All Parcels in Mailing Eligible
If 100% of the pieces in a mailing are eligible for the machinable parcel barcoded discount under E610 and E620, then the mailing may be paid with meter stamps, permit imprint, or precanceled postage.
4.2Less than 100% Eligibility
If less than 100% of the parcels in the mailing are eligible for the machinable parcel barcoded discount, then the following standards apply:
a. Payment with precanceled stamps is not permitted.
b. Metered postage may be used only if exact postage is affixed to each piece in the mailing.
c. Payment with permit imprint is permitted only under a manifest mailing system (P910).
5.0 Mail with Special Services
5.1Bulk Insurance
Mailings on which bulk insurance is requested must have postage and fees paid with permit imprint under a manifest mailing system (P910).
5.2Electronic Option Delivery Confirmation
If electronic option Delivery Confirmation is requested for all of the pieces in the mailing and the mailing consists of pieces of identical weight, then postage may be paid with metered postage or permit imprint under the applicable standards in 2.0. If electronic option Delivery Confirmation is not requested for all of the pieces in the mailing, or if the pieces are not identical weight, then either the exact metered postage must be affixed to each piece or postage must be paid with permit imprint under a manifest mailing system (P910). Use of precanceled stamps is not permitted with Delivery Confirmation.
5.3Return Receipt for Merchandise
If return receipt for merchandise is requested for all of the pieces in the mailing and the mailing consists of pieces of identical weight, then postage may be paid with metered postage or permit imprint under the applicable standards in 2.0. If return receipt for merchandise is not requested for all of the pieces in the mailing, or if the pieces are not identical weight, then either the exact metered postage must be affixed to each piece or postage must be paid with permit imprint under a manifest mailing system (P910). Use of precanceled stamps is not permitted with return receipt for merchandise.
DMM Issue 58 Updated 12-9-04