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Quick Service Guide 708

Special Standards

Optional Information Lines

January 25, 2015
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Overview

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Optional information lines include the optional endorsement line (OEL), carrier route information line, ACS participant code, and mailer’s keyline. The OEL and the carrier route information line may be printed on the mailpiece or label when the address is printed. A mailer’s keyline is reserved for the mailer’s use except where required by the USPS.

Optional Endorsement Line (708.7.0)

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Mailers may prepare mailings without applying pressure-sensitive labels to the top mailpiece of bundles by using a specific OEL above the address block or on the address label on the top mailpiece of a bundle.

Type and style:

ZIP Code: Except for carrier route bundles, the OEL must include the appropriate ZIP Code information (see 708.7.2.5).

Address Change Service (507.4.2)

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Mailers 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. ACS codes must be printed in a non-narrow variant of Helvetica or Arial sans serif fonts in a range of 10 to 12 points (see Publication 8A, Address Change Service - Traditional, or Publication 8B, One Code ACS Technical Guide for details).

Carrier Route Information (708.8.0)

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Bundles made up to individual carrier routes, rural routes, highway contract routes, Post Office box sections, or general delivery units may be prepared without a facing slip if the standards in 708.8.1 are met. These standards apply to carrier route Periodicals, Enhanced Carrier Route Standard Mail, and carrier route Bound Printed Matter mailings. For preparation of facing slips, see 601.2.0.

Placement and format:

Carrier route information consisting of a descriptive prefix (or its abbreviation), plus a route number or numeric code, must be on the top line of the address, either alone or with other optional information. A minimum of 10 spaces must be allowed for carrier route information when included with other information on the OEL. Carrier route information must be preceded by at least two asterisks (**). The carrier route information is in addition to the marking standards for the class of mail and price claimed.

Abbreviations:

Carrier Route C

General Delivery Unit G

Highway Contract Route H

Post Office Box Section B

Rural Route R

Keyline

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A mailer’s internal keyline or comparable information may not be placed above or on the same line as the OEL. Authorized Manifest Mailing System mailers must use a keyline as described in 705.2.3.

Information Line Formats

Optional Endorsement Line


***************5-DIGIT 22030

CENTRAL LIBRARY

3915 CHAIN BRIDGE RD

FAIRFAX VA 22030-3999

Sortation Level OEL Example

On Firm Bundles use (Periodicals only) ****************************FIRM [nnnnn]1

On Carrier Route Bundles use

Periodicals Basic ******************CAR-RT LOT**C-0012

Periodicals High Density *****************CAR-RT WSH**C-0012

Periodicals Saturation ******************CAR-RT WSS**C-0012

Standard Mail Enhanced Carrier Route, Basic ************************ECRLOT**C-0012

Standard Mail Enhanced Carrier Route, High Density ***********************ECRWSH**C-0012

Standard Mail Enhanced Carrier Route, Saturation ***********************ECRWSS**C-0012

Bound Printed Matter *****************CAR-RT SORT**C-0012

On 5-Digit Bundles use ************************5-DIGIT [nnnnn]1

On 3-Digit Bundles use ***************************3-DIGIT [nnn]1

On ADC Bundles use ******ALL FOR ADC [nnn]1 or [nnnnn]1

On Mixed ADC Bundles use *********MIXED ADC [nnn]1 or [nnnnn]1

On AADC Bundles use ****ALL FOR AADC [nnn]1 or [nnnnn]1

On Mixed AADC Bundles use *******MIXED AADC [nnn]1 or [nnnnn]1

See Exhibit 708.7.1.1 for the OEL when selecting option to exclude letter-size mail from automated processing

This graphic shows the optional endorsement line as described in the text.


1

Mailer must include the appropriate 3-digit ZIP Code prefix or 5-digit ZIP Code required by the labeling list for the mail class as shown in 708.7.1.

2

Pieces with this marking must meet the standards in 708.8.2.4. Use “C” for carrier route, “G” for general delivery, “H” for highway contract route, “B” for Post Office box section, or “R” for rural route followed by the route number or numeric code.

 

 

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