DMM TOC > 400 Commercial Parcels > 450 Parcel Select453 Prices and Eligibility1.0 Prices and Fees1.1 Price ApplicationPostage is based on the price that applies to the weight increment of each addressed piece, and on the zone to which the piece is addressed, except for DDU and DSCF entered pieces. The price is charged per pound or fraction thereof; any fraction of a pound is considered a whole pound. For example, if an item weighs 4.225 pounds, the weight increment is 5 pounds. The minimum price per piece is the 1-pound price. For DDU and DSCF pieces, postage is based on the price that applies to the weight increment of each addressed piece. There are three price categories for Parcel Select: a. Destination entry including destination entry bulk mail center (DBMC), destination entry sectional center facility (DSCF), and destination entry delivery unit (DDU). b. BMC Presort and OBMC Presort. 1.2 Parcel Select PricesPricing is available for Parcel Select at the Destination Entry, BMC Presort, OBMC Presort, and Barcoded Nonpresort levels. For prices, see Notice 123-Price List. 1.3 Annual Mailing Fee[1-4-10] An annual mailing fee is required for Parcel Select destination entry mailings and must be paid once each 12-month period. This fee must be paid at each Post Office of mailing by or for any mailer who enters mailings at the destination entry level. All destination entry prices (DBMC, DSCF, and DDU) are covered under the payment of a single annual fee per office of mailing. During the last 60 days of the current service period, advance payment of the annual mailing fee may be remitted for the subsequent 12-month period only. The established annual mailing fee in effect at the time of remittance will be assessed. See Notice 123—Price List for applicable annual mailing fees. 1.4 Computing Postage1.4.1 Determining Single-Piece WeightTo determine single-piece weight in any mailing of nonidentical-weight pieces, weigh each piece individually. To determine single-piece weight in a mailing of identical-weight pieces, weigh a sample group of at least 10 randomly selected pieces and divide the total sample weight by the number of pieces in the sample. Express all single-piece weights in decimal pounds rounded off to four decimal places. 1.4.2 Computing Postage for Affixed PostageFor each piece, affix correct postage for the weight (including any surcharges or discounts) and, if applicable, the zone to which the piece is addressed, as shown in 1.2 through 1.4. To calculate the total postage for the mailing, add all of the affixed postage amounts for each piece. 1.4.3 Computing Postage for Permit ImprintTo compute the total postage for a mailing, for each weight increment, multiply the number of pieces by the applicable price per piece. Round each product off to four decimal places. Add the products and round up the total postage to the nearest whole cent. 2.0 Content Standards2.1 Definition of Parcel Select[1-4-10] Parcel Select is a Shipping Services ground product using permit imprint or metered postage when mailing 50 or more packages. When postage is paid using USPS-approved PC Postage in conjunction with barcoded nonpresorted mailings there is no minimum volume. 2.2 Basic Content StandardsParcel Select consists of mailable matter that is neither mailed, or required to be mailed, as First-Class Mail, nor entered as Periodicals (except as permitted under 2.3 or permitted or required under 707.7.9). Mailers (other than publishers or registered news agents) may mail copies of Periodicals publications at Parcel Select prices. 2.3 Attachments or Enclosures of Periodicals Sample CopiesSample copies of authorized and pending Periodicals publications may be enclosed or attached with merchandise sent at Parcel Select prices. Postage at Parcel Select prices is based on the combined weight of the host piece and the sample copies enclosed. 2.4 Postal InspectionParcel Select packages are not sealed against postal inspection. Regardless of physical closure, the mailing of articles at Parcel Select prices constitutes consent by the mailer to postal inspection of the contents. 2.5 Attachments and Enclosures2.5.1 InvoiceAn invoice, whether it also serves as a bill, may be placed either inside a Parcel Select piece or in an envelope marked "Invoice Enclosed" and attached to the outside of the piece if the invoice relates solely to the matter with which it is mailed. The invoice may show this information: a. Names and addresses of the sender and addressee. b. Names and quantities of the articles enclosed, descriptions of each (e.g., price, tax, style, stock number, size, and quality, and, if defective, nature of defects). c. Order or file number, date of order, date and manner of shipment, shipping weight, postage paid, and initials or name of packer or checker. 2.5.2 Incidental First-Class Mail Attachments and EnclosuresIncidental First-Class Mail matter may be enclosed in or attached to any Parcel Select piece without payment of First-Class Mail postage. An incidental First-Class Mail attachment or enclosure must be matter that, if mailed separately, would require First-Class Mail postage, is closely associated with but secondary to the host piece, and is prepared so as not to interfere with postal processing. An incidental First-Class Mail attachment or enclosure may be a bill for the product or publication, a statement of account for past products or publications, or a personal message or greeting included with a product, publication, or parcel. Postage at the Parcel Select price for the host piece is based on the combined weight of the host piece and the incidental First-Class Mail attachment or enclosure. 2.5.3 Additional EnclosuresParcel Select may contain any printed matter mailable as Standard Mail, in addition to the enclosures and additions listed in 2.5 and 2.6. 2.6 Written AdditionsMarkings that have the character of personal correspondence require, with certain exceptions, additional postage at the First-Class Mail prices. The following written additions and enclosures do not require additional First-Class Mail postage: a. The sender's and the addressee's names, occupations, and addresses, preceded by "From" or "To," and directions for handling. b. Marks, numbers, names, or letters describing the contents. c. Words or phrases such as "Do Not Open Until Christmas" and "Happy Birthday, Mother." d. Instructions and directions for the use of the item mailed. e. A manuscript dedication or inscription not having the nature of personal correspondence. f. Marks to call attention to words or passages in the text. g. Corrections of typographical errors in printed matter. h. Manuscripts accompanying related proof sheets and corrections of proof sheets including corrections of typographical and other errors, changes in the text, insertions of new text, marginal instructions to the printer, and corrective rewrites of parts. i. Handstamped imprints, unless the added material is in itself personal or converts the original matter to a personal communication. j. Matter mailable separately as Standard Mail printed on the wrapper, envelope, tag, or label. 3.0 Price Eligibility for Parcel Select3.1 Destination Entry Price Eligibility3.1.1 DefinitionParcel Select destination entry prices apply to Parcel Select mailings prepared as specified in 705.8.0, Preparing Pallets, and 455.4.0, Preparing Destination Entry Parcel Select, and addressed for delivery within the service area of a destination bulk mail center, sectional center facility, or delivery unit where they are deposited by the mailer. For this standard, the following destination facility definitions apply: a. A destination bulk mail center (DBMC) includes all bulk mail centers (BMCs) and auxiliary service facilities (ASFs) under L601 and L602, and designated sectional center facilities (SCFs) under 456.2.16, Acceptance at Designated SCF-USPS Benefit. b. A destination sectional center facility (DSCF) includes all facilities listed under L005. c. A destination delivery unit (DDU) is a facility that delivers to the addresses appearing on the deposited pieces in a destination entry Parcel Select mailing. Refer to the Drop Shipment Product maintained by the National Customer Support Center (NCSC) (see 608.8.1 for address) to determine the location of a 5-digit delivery facility. Use L606 only for mailings prepared using the optional 5-digit scheme sort. 3.1.2 Basic StandardsFor Parcel Select destination entry, pieces must meet the applicable standards in 455.4.0 and the following criteria: a. Pieces may be bedloaded on pallets, in pallet boxes on pallets, in sacks, or in other authorized containers as specified in 456.2.1 through 456.2.16, depending on the facility at which the pieces are deposited. b. Pieces may not be plant-loaded. c. Pieces must be part of a single mailing of 50 or more pieces that are eligible for and claimed at any Parcel Select destination entry price. When Parcel Select mailings are submitted under PVDS procedures, mailers may use the total of all line items for all destinations on a PVDS register or PVDS postage statement to meet the 50-piece minimum volume requirement for destination entry price mailings. This means that a mailer may enter fewer than 50 pieces at an individual destination, provided there is a total of at least 50 Parcel Select pieces for all of the entry points for that single mailing job listed on the PVDS register or PVDS postage statement. d. Pieces must be deposited at a destination BMC or destination ASF or other equivalent facility, destination SCF, or destination delivery unit, as applicable for the price claimed and as specified by the USPS. e. Pieces must be addressed for delivery within the ZIP Code ranges that the applicable entry facility serves. 3.1.3 DBMC Prices[11-29-09] [7-1-09] For DBMC prices, pieces must meet the applicable standards in 3.0 and the following: a. Pieces must be part of a Parcel Select destination entry mailing that is deposited at a BMC or ASF under L601 or L602. b. Machinable parcels must bear a barcode under 708.5.0 for the ZIP Code of the delivery address. Nonbarcoded machinable parcels are eligible only for Parcel Post prices. c. Except as provided in Exhibit 3.1.3, BMC/ASF—DBMC Price Eligibility, pieces deposited at each BMC or ASF must be addressed for delivery within the ZIP Code range of that facility. d. Pieces must be within a ZIP Code eligible for DBMC prices under Exhibit 3.1.3 and, if sacked or palletized, must be prepared according to 455.4.0, Preparing Destination Entry Parcel Select, and 705.8.0, Preparing Pallets. Mail meeting the additional criteria in 456.2.15 or 456.2.16 may be deposited at an SCF. Exhibit 3.1.3 BMC/ASF—DBMC Price Eligibility
3.1.4 DSCF and DDU PricesFor DSCF and DDU prices, pieces must meet the applicable standards in 3.0 and the following criteria: a. For DSCF prices, be part of a Parcel Select destination entry mailing of parcels sorted to 5-digit scheme or 5-digit destinations and deposited at a designated SCF under L005. Nonmachinable parcels sorted to 3-digit ZIP Code prefixes and claimed at a DSCF price must be entered at the designated SCF under L005. Mailers must not prepare mail on pallets or pallet boxes for the DSCF price if the 5-digit delivery facility is unable to handle pallets. Refer to the Drop Shipment Product maintained by the National Customer Support Center (NCSC) (see 608.8.1) to determine which 5-digit delivery facilities can handle pallets or pallet boxes. When the Drop Shipment Product shows that mail for a single 5-digit ZIP Code area is delivered out of more than one postal facility, use the facility where the majority of city carrier routes are located to determine if the delivery facility can handle pallets. b. For DDU prices, be part of a Parcel Select mailing deposited at a designated DDU facility that delivers parcels to the addresses appearing on the pieces. There is no required minimum number of pieces that must be deposited for the DDU price and no specific preparation requirements; however, the pieces must be part of a mailing of at least 50 Parcel Select destination entry price pieces and must be prepared by 5-digit scheme (optional) and 5-digit sorts. To determine the location for entry of 5-digit scheme sorted pieces, use Column B of L606. To determine the location for entry of 5-digit sorted pieces or whether a 5-digit delivery facility can handle pallets (or pallet boxes), refer to the Drop Shipment Product maintained by the National Customer Support Center (NCSC) (see 608.8.1). When the Drop Shipment Product shows that mail for a single 5-digit ZIP Code area is delivered out of more than one postal facility, use the facility from which the majority of city carrier routes are delivered as the facility at which the DDU mail must be entered. The Drop Shipment Product identifies the 5-digit ZIP Codes that are exceptions to the "majority of city carriers rule" or other facilities where parcels are normally dropped. If a mailer transports mail to a DDU facility that cannot handle pallets, the driver must unload the pallets into containers as specified by the delivery unit. 3.2 Parcel Select BMC and OBMC Presort Price EligibilityParcel Select BMC Presort and Parcel Select OBMC Presort per piece prices apply to Parcel Select sorted to BMC destinations under L601 for machinable pieces, and sorted to BMC and ASF destinations for nonmachinable pieces under L605, and to pieces prepared as part of a combined mailing under 705.20.0. To qualify, machinable pieces must be placed in pallet boxes on pallets; and nonmachinable pieces must be placed directly on pallets under 705.8.0, or be prepared as part of a combined mailing and placed in a 5-digit, 3-digit, ADC, or BMC container under 705.20.0. The mail must be entered at a BMC listed in L601 for OBMC Presort and not at a BMC for BMC presort, and must be part of a mailing containing 50 or more Parcel Select pieces. 3.3 Parcel Select Barcoded Nonpresort Price Eligibility[1-4-10] Parcel Select Barcoded Nonpresort per piece prices apply to Parcel Select machinable parcels that are barcoded. See Exhibit 3.3, BMC/ASF Service Areas. The barcoded nonpresort price requires a minimum volume of 50 Parcel Select pieces, except when postage is paid using USPS-approved PC Postage which doesn't require a minimum volume of mailpieces. Machinable parcels (401.1.5) must bear a GS1-128 barcode under 708.5.0 for the ZIP Code of the delivery address under any of the following conditions: a. The mailing contains a minimum volume of 50 or more pieces. b. The mailing is prepared as part of a combined mailing of 300 or more pieces under 705.20.0 in other than 5-digit containers. c. The postage is paid using USPS-approved PC Postage and the mailing is less than 50 pieces. Exhibit 3.3 BMC/ASF Service Areas
3.4 Oversized PriceThe oversized price applies to parcels that measure over 108 inches but not more than 130 inches in combined length and girth. 3.5 Balloon PriceThe balloon price applies to parcels weighing less than 20 pounds but measuring more than 84 inches (but not more than 108 inches) in combined length and girth which is charged the price for a 20-pound parcel for the zone to which it is addressed (balloon price). 3.6 Loyalty RebatesEach year between June 1 through August 1, shippers may apply to the manager, Business Mailer Support (see 608.8.0), for Loyalty Rebates based on their level of Parcel Select activity during the most recent twelve-month (June 1 - May 31) period. 3.6.1 QualifyingFor shippers meeting all of the eligibility criteria, the percentage level of their Loyalty Rebate is based on their total Parcel Select postage during the most recent twelve-month (June 1- May 31) period, as shown in Exhibit 3.6.1. The Loyalty Rebate is applied to all DDU volume. The Loyalty Rebate amount is calculated as the average postage per DDU piece over the twelve-month period for that shipper, times the volume of qualified DDU volume over the twelve-month period for that shipper, times the applicable percentage shown in Exhibit 3.6.1. To qualify for the Loyalty Rebates, shippers must meet the following: a. Total annual Parcel Select postage must be in excess of $5 million during the most recent twelve-month (June 1- May 31) period. b. Total Parcel Select volume must have increased during the most recent twelve-month (June 1 - May 31) period, compared with the previous twelve-month (June 1 - May 31) period. c. Identify both the mail owner and mailing agent within the electronic manifest.
3.7 Growth RebatesBeginning June 1, 2009, and each June 1 thereafter, shippers who qualify for a Loyalty Rebate and who increase their Parcel Select volumes in the most recent twelve-month (June 1 - May 31) period (compared with the previous twelve-month period) by more than 10 percent will qualify for a Growth Rebate. (Shippers who had zero Parcel Select volume in the previous twelve-month period will not be eligible for a Growth Rebate.) 3.7.1 QualifyingFor shippers meeting all of the eligibility criteria, the percentage level of the Growth Rebate is based on their growth percentage and their total Parcel Select revenue in the twelve-month period, as shown in Exhibit 3.7.1. The Growth Rebate is applied only to qualified incremental DDU volume. The Growth Rebate amount will be calculated by multiplying the difference between the previous twelve-month DDU volume and the most recent twelve-month DDU volume by the average postage per DDU piece over the current twelve-month period, times the applicable percentage shown in Exhibit 3.7.1.
3.7.2 ExemptionAt the discretion of the USPS, volumes from the following 3-digit ZIP Codes may be exempt from the Growth Rebates due to delivery conditions: 100-102, 104, 107, 108, 111-113. Growth Rebates may not apply to volume growth as a result of mergers or acquisitions. Exclusions will be administered on a case-by-case basis. 3.8 Delivery and Return AddressesAll Parcel Select mail must bear a delivery address. The delivery address on each piece must include the correct ZIP Code or ZIP+4 code. Alternative addressing formats under 602.3.0 or detached address labels under 602.4.0 may be used. Each piece must bear the sender's return address.
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