The Postal Service is reminding customers that metallic mercury and devices containing metallic mercury are always prohibited in the mail stream. This includes antique items such as thermometers, barometers, blood pressure monitors and similar devices.

230e Quick Service Guide

Commercial - First-Class Mail Automation Flats

Physical Standards (201)

Maximum weight: 13 ounces.

For an overview of the physical standards for commercial flats, see Quick Service Guide 201c.

Prices and Fees (233.1.0)

For a complete list of Commercial First-Class Mail prices, see Notice 123–Price List.

Annual presort mailing fee applies.

USPS Connect Local Mail is charged a flat price regardless of actual weight (up to 13 ounces) of the mailpiece.

Content (233.2.0)

First-Class Mail is required for personal correspondence, handwritten or typewritten material, and bills or statements of account. It may also be used for any mailable item, including advertisements and lightweight merchandise.

USPS Connect Local Mail is designed to be used for documents and paper-based contents only.

Eligibility Standards (233.5.0)

Mailings of 500 or more addressed pieces must be automation-compatible (201.6.0), bear a delivery point or Intelligent Mail barcode (204.1.0), sorted and marked as described below.

Each piece must also include a complete delivery address with correct ZIP Code or ZIP+4 Code. For address standards, see 233.5.7; for barcode quality standards, see 204.1.0; and for CASS/MASS standards, see 602.9.0.

Addresses on all pieces must be updated within 95 days before mailing with a USPS-approved address update tool (e.g., ACS, NCOALink, or the appropriate ancillary service endorsement except Forwarding Services Requested, under 507.1.5). For an overview of the Move Update standard, see Quick Service Guide 602a.

Addresses must be matched using a CASS/MASS-certified process within 120 days before mailing.

All letter-size reply cards and envelopes (Business Reply Mail, Courtesy Reply Mail, and metered reply mail) provided as enclosures must meet the standards in 201.3.17.

Mailers can apply Repositionable Notes. See 202.7.0.

Connect Local Mail has no minimum volume requirement.

Postage Payment and Documentation (234)

Precanceled stamp (604.3.0), meter (604.4.0), or permit imprint (604.5.0).

Additional standards apply to mailings of nonidentical-weight pieces.

Documentation:

Postage statement: PS Form 3600-FCM.
PS Form 3553 must be retained by mailer for 1 year (602.9.5.2).
Supporting documentation: required unless mailing consist of less than 10,000 pieces and correct price is affixed to each piece or unless each piece is of identical weight and separated by price when presented for acceptance; documentation generated by PAVE-certified software (or printed in standardized format).

USPS Connect Local Mail mailings must be paid with USPS Click-N-Ship or USPS API which will produce the shipping label with a trackable Intelligent Mail Package Barcode (IMpb).

Mail Preparation (235)

Marking on each piece in the postage area (202.3.0): “Presorted (or PRSRT) First-Class Mail” or “AUTO” and “First-Class Mail.” For optional location, see 201.3.0.

Barcoded tray labels required (235.4.0).

Flat trays capped (green side up) and secured with two straps.

Bundling is not allowed in flat trays.

USPS Connect Local Mail must bear the marking “USPS Connect Local Mail” under 202.3.5.1a.

Enter and Deposit (236)

Mailing: entered at an acceptance point designated by USPS.

USPS Connect Local Mail: entered at the designated entry unit by the critical entry time for same day or next day delivery.

Tray-Based Preparation (235.8.5)

5-Digit

Trays: Optional, full tray or 50-piece minimum, fewer pieces not permitted; one less-than-full or overflow tray allowed.

Barcoded Labels: For Line 1, use city, state, and 5-digit ZIP Code on mail.

Price: 5-Digit

3-Digit

Trays: Optional, full tray or 50-piece minimum, required for 3-digit price; one less-than-full or overflow tray allowed. Required for each 3-digit ZIP Code served by the SCF/LPC of the origin office; no minimum

Barcoded Labels: For Line 1, use L002, Column A for 3-digit destinations.

Price: 3-Digit¹

SCF

Trays: Optional, full tray or 50-piece minimum, required for 3-digit price; one less-than-full or overflow tray allowed; group pieces by 3-digit ZIP Code prefix. (Exception: Pieces do not have to be grouped by 3–digit ZIP Code if mailing is prepared using MLOCR and standardized documentation is submitted.)

Barcoded Labels: For Line 1, use L016.

Price: 3-digit

Mixed

Trays: Required, no minimum, group by SCF. (Exception: Pieces do not have to be grouped by SCF if mailing is prepared using MLOCR and standardized documentation is submitted.)

Barcoded Labels: For Line 1, use "MXD WKG."

Price: Mixed

For flats, a full tray is defined as one that contains at least a single stack of pieces lying flat that reaches the bottom of handholds, but no more than can be contained in tray with cover secured in place with two straps. Total weight of tray may not exceed 70 pounds.

1. ADC price for any 3-digit origin tray containing fewer than 50 pieces.