Customer Support Ruling

Customer Support Ruling

Mailing Standards

Headquarters, US Postal Service

Washington DC  20260-3436

Identification Cards

UPDATED June 2014

PS-227 (233.2.3)

This CSR determines whether computer-generated "identification cards" contain “personal information” and are mailable only at First-Class Mail, Priority Mail, or Priority Mail Express prices.

This ruling pertains to the classification of computer prepared plastic identification cards that are mailed by a company that provides health insurance.

Each identification card contains an identification number, the name of the subscriber, the name of the member and his or her relationship to the subscriber, in addition to a toll free telephone number.

Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) 233.2.3*, prescribes that matter containing personal information must be mailed as First-Class Mail, Priority Mail,  Priority Mail Express.  Personal information is any information specific to the addressee.

Since each computer generated identification card contains the name of the member and his or her relationship to the subscriber, who is the addressee, it contains personal information.  Therefore, the cards, so prepared, are subject to the First-Class Mail, Priority Mail, or Priority Mail Express Mail prices.

*See also DMM 133.3.3.

Sherry Suggs

Manager