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Domestic Mail (Continued)

L600 Standard Mail and Package Services

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L606 5-Digit Scheme-Standard Mail and Package Services Parcels

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- Logistics,
Network Operations Management, 3-18-04

DMM REVISION

Insured Mail, Return Receipt, and Restricted Delivery - Eligible Matter

Effective April 1, 2004, Domestic Mail Manual (DMMTM) S913.1.2, S915.1.2, and S916.1.2 are revised to clarify what types of mail matter are eligible for Insured Mail, return receipt, and restricted delivery services. These revisions do not change the requirements; rather, they make the text clearer.

We will incorporate these revisions into the printed version of DMM 59 and into the monthly update of the online DMM available via Postal Explorer at http://pe.usps.gov.

Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)

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S Special Services

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S900 Special Postal Services

S910 Security and Accountability

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S913 Insured Mail

1.0 BASIC INFORMATION

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1.2 Eligible Matter

[Revise 1.2 to read as follows:]

The following types of mail matter may be insured:

a. First-Class Mail® pieces (including Priority Mail® pieces), if they contain matter that may be mailed as Standard Mail® pieces or Package Services pieces.

b. Standard Mail pieces subject to the residual shape surcharge (bulk insurance only).

c. Package Services pieces.

d. Official government mail endorsed "Postage and Fees Paid."

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S915 Return Receipt

1.0 BASIC INFORMATION

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1.2 Eligible Matter

[Revise 1.2 to read as follows:]

Return receipt service is available for:

a. Express Mail® pieces.

b. First-Class Mail pieces (including Priority Mail pieces), when purchased at the time of mailing with Certified MailTM, COD, Insured Mail (for more than $50), or Registered MailTM service.

c. Standard Mail pieces subject to the residual shape surcharge, when bulk insurance (for more than $50) is purchased at the time of mailing.

d. Package Services pieces, when purchased at the time of mailing with COD or insurance (for more than $50) service.

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S916 Restricted Delivery

1.0 BASIC INFORMATION

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1.2 Eligible Matter

[Revise 1.2 to read as follows:]

Restricted Delivery service is available for:

a. First-Class Mail pieces (including Priority Mail pieces), when purchased at the time of mailing with Certified Mail, COD, Insured Mail (for more than $50), or Registered Mail service.

b. Standard Mail pieces subject to the residual shape surcharge, when bulk insurance (for more than $50) service is purchased at the time of mailing.

c. Package Services pieces, when purchased at the time of mailing with COD or insurance (for more than $50) service.

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- Mailing Standards,
Pricing and Classification, 3-18-04

DMM REVISION

Presort Destination Package Labels - September 1 Effective Date

Effective March 18, 2004, Domestic Mail Manual (DMMTM) M020.1.3 is revised to extend the permissible use of nonbarcoded pressure-sensitive presort destination package labels (stickers) until September 1, 2004. Beginning on that date, the new barcoded format for these labels must be used instead of the older, nonbarcoded labels.

This 5-month extension should ensure that Post OfficesTM and all mailers have the labels by the time the fall mailing season begins. Mailers are encouraged, however, to start using the new barcoded package labels as soon as possible.

Information on the new labels, along with the supporting changes to the Domestic Mail Manual, appeared in the article "Presort Destination Package Labels - New Barcoded Format" in Postal Bulletin 22114 (10-30-03, pages 10-26).

Label Availability

Managers of business mail entry, working with their staffs, must ensure that all Post Offices within the service area of their district have access to the new barcoded pressure-sensitive package labels as needed.

The new barcoded labels are available from the Material Distribution Center in Topeka, Kansas. Orders placed for labels will be fulfilled only with the new barcoded labels. Ordering instructions appeared in the article "Barcoded Presort Destination Package Labels - Ordering Instructions" in Postal Bulletin 22123 (3-4-04, page 36).

Effective September 1, 2004, mailers not using OELs will be required to use only the barcoded pressure-sensitive package labels rather than the nonbarcoded labels. Mailers with questions about the use or availability of the new labels should contact the local district manager of business mail entry.

Mailers needing to find the address and telephone number of the appropriate business mail entry unit should see DMM G042 or go to http://pe.usps.gov; click on Postal Links in the upper left corner, then on Business Mail Entry under Postal Locator.

We will incorporate this revision into the printed version of DMM 59 and into the monthly update of the online DMM available via Postal Explorer at http://pe.usps.gov.

Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)

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M Mail Preparation and Sortation

M000 General Preparation Standards

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M020 Packages

1.0 BASIC STANDARDS

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1.3 Labeling

[Change "April 1, 2004" to "September 1, 2004" in the last sentence of the introductory paragraph to read as follows:]

***The following colors and presort characters apply to package labels (nonbarcoded labels, including red Label D and tan Label MXD, may be used until September 1, 2004):

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- Mailing Standards,
Pricing and Classification, 3-18-04

REMINDER

Over-the-Road Containers to Be Used in a Closed Loop

Effective March 18, 2002, we transferred control of Bulk Mail Center (BMC) over-the-road containers (OTRs) from the Mail Transport Equipment Service Center (MTESC) network to the BMC network. The MTESC network is still responsible for repairing OTRs. All processing operations must red-tag all damaged and unsafe OTRs in accordance with Postal Operations Manual 583.11. In addition, no empty equipment may be placed in the OTRs.

When imbalances in the number of OTRs at each facility occur, the BMC network will be responsible for relocating OTRs from oversupplied areas to areas with fewer OTRs, preferably by moving mail with existing transportation in the BMC network. See poster on page 5.

- Mail Transport Equipment,
Network Operations Management, 3-18-04

- Mail Transport Equipment, Network Operations Management, 3-18-04

[D-Link]

PROCESSING FACILITIES USING MSP AIRPORT

Air Transportation Surcharge for Live Animals Transported From Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport

Effective immediately, the surcharge for live animals (including day-old poultry) transported by air from Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP) Airport to a destination city in Zones 4-8 is now $1.00 per pound (or fraction thereof). This surcharge is in addition to the normal postage that retail associates collect.

If your processing facility uses the MSP Airport for air transportation of live animals (including day-old poultry), assign the "L" alpha code mail class designator in the Distribution and Routing (D & R) tag. Follow this procedure for all mail classes transported from MSP.

- Commercial Air Operations,
Network Operations Management, 3-18-04

POM REVISION

INTELPOST Service

Effective March 18, 2004, the Postal Operations Manual (POM) is revised to reflect that INTELPOST (international electronic post) service is no longer available.

We will incorporate this revision into the next printed version of the POM and into the online update of the POM available via the Postal ServiceTM PolicyNet Web site at http://blue.usps.gov; click on More References, then Manuals.

Postal Operations Manual (POM)

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1 Retail Management

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14 Other Retail Services Management

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[Delete 143. Renumber current 144 through 147 as new 143 through 146, respectively.]

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- Retail Operations,
Delivery and Retail, 3-18-04

NOTICE

Political Campaign Mail

Political campaign mailings will enter the mailstream throughout 2004, in advance of primary elections and the November 2, 2004, presidential/general election. This can be a hectic time for political candidates, campaign committees, and committees of political parties, as well as Postal ServiceTM employees and managers who handle and process this mail. Assisting our customers in planning and preparing their mailings correctly can help to ensure that the Postal Service can do what it does best, deliver the mail!

Political campaign mailings should not be confused with official mailings by members of Congress under congressional franking privileges. The requirements for political campaign mailings are contained in Postal Operations Manual part 492, Political Campaign Mail. These pro- visions are accessible on the Postal Service PolicyNet Web site at http://blue.usps.gov; click on More References; then Manuals.

The Postal Service is responsible for providing information to assist in knowledgeably preparing and depositing political campaign mailings, as well as for properly accepting, processing, delivering, and recording these mailings. When accepting, handling, or processing political campaign mail, please keep in mind that the mailings are made up by individual candidates and their campaign organizations, as well as by local, state, and national committees of political parties. Some organizations rely on campaign volunteers for political campaign mail preparation and deposit. These volunteers may have little or no experience in preparing mailings of this nature and will need your patience and assistance.

Provide equal assistance to all committees of political parties, candidates, and candidates' campaign committees, including those that do not represent major parties. You must assist mailers to identify problems in mail preparation and sack or tray labeling before they deposit mailings. Also, emphasize the need to deposit mailings at the earliest possible date before the election date.

All managers involved in processing and delivering political campaign mailings must ensure that each mailing is handled promptly and with equal care and attention. Mailers attempting to deposit political campaign mailings that may be too late for delivery by the election date must be informed of the potential for late delivery. Give immediate attention to any reported delay in processing or delivering political campaign mailings. Fully document inquiries made concerning delayed political campaign mail and subsequent action taken. Detailed records can help to provide the basis for a documented and factual explanation of any complaints alleging improper handling of political campaign mailings.

To assist in your preparation for political campaign mailings, the table below provides the 2004 congressional primary dates by state and territory and, where applicable, primary runoff dates.

Note: Some of the congressional primaries already have occurred.

- Government Relations, 3-18-04

Click-N-Ship Week Is March 22-26, 2004

The Postal ServiceTM is setting aside March 22-26, 2004, as Click-N-Ship® Week to increase awareness and use of Click-N-Ship service among employees and customers. Each day of the week will focus on the shipping needs of different customer groups, including small businesses, online auction sellers, and households. Here are some facts about the use and benefits of Click-N-Ship service.

• Click-N-Ship service allows users to prepare and print shipping labels online, with or without postage, for Priority Mail®, Express Mail®, Global Express MailTM, and Global Express Guaranteed® services.

• Customers can use Click-N-Ship labels to send packages to all 50 states, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and 200 countries and territories. (At this time, customers cannot use Click-N-Ship service to mail packages to or from APOs or FPOs.)

• Click-N-Ship customers also receive free electronic Delivery ConfirmationTM service and a reduced rate on Signature ConfirmationTM service for Priority Mail shipments. Other value-added Click-N-Ship features include an online address book for frequently used addresses, credit card storage of up to three credit card numbers to speed Click-N-Ship transactions, and e-mail notification to inform the recipient of the label number and ship date of the package.

• New features coming in March are "Shipping Cart," which allows a customer to print and pay for up to 10 shipments with a single credit card transaction; "Shipping History," which provides reports on postage-paid labels for the past 6 months; and "My Account," which accesses online profiles, address books, and other information.

• Click-N-Ship service offers customers many ways to ship items: customers can drop them off at a local Post OfficeTM facility, hand them to their carrier at the time of regular mail delivery, or schedule a special pickup through the Postal Service's Carrier Pickup service, which notifies the local Post Office facility of pending shipments. (Carrier Pickup service is not available in all areas.)

• Customers may deposit a package with an online label in a blue collection box if the package has a domestic Express Mail or Priority Mail label with PC Postage service (paid with a credit card), has a return address, and fits into the collection box opening.

• When using Click-N-Ship service for stamped items and international mailpieces, customers must follow existing requirements for deposit and acceptance.

• As of January 2004, there were 165,925 registered users of Click-N-Ship service. More than 13 million labels have been printed since May 2002.

• On December 15, 2003 - the busiest shipping day of the past year - an average of 100 Click-N-Ship labels were printed per minute for 6 1/2 hours.

For more information, see the Click-N-Ship publicity kit in Postal Bulletin 22123 (3-4-04, pages 9-23), or visit the Click-N-Ship web site at www.usps.com/clicknship.

- Implementation and Outreach,
Pricing and Classification, 3-18-04

Finance

HANDBOOK F-1 REVISION

International Reply Coupons

Effective March 1, 2004, all stations, branches, and Post OfficesTM must submit exchanged foreign-issued and U.S.- issued refunded international reply coupons (IRCs) to their servicing stamp distribution office or stamp services center by the end of February of each fiscal year. Stamp distribution offices and stamp services centers receive the returned IRCs at the value claimed by the submitting office on PS Form 17, Stamp Requisition/Stamp Return. Stamp distribution offices and stamp services centers must consolidate the IRCs and ship the coupons to the Eagan Accounting Service Center by the end of March.

Stamp distribution offices and stamp services centers are to mail IRCs to the following address:

EAGAN ASC FINANCE BRANCH
FINANCIAL REPORTING
2825 LONE OAK PKWY
EAGAN MN 55121-9617

We will incorporate these revisions into the next printed version of Handbook F-1 and into the next update of the online version accessible on the Postal ServiceTM PolicyNet Web site; go to http://blue.usps.gov; click on More References, then HBKs.

Handbook F-1, Post Office Accounting Procedures

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4 Managing Accountable Paper

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42 Managing Accountable Paper at Stations, Branches, and Post Offices With Stamp Accountability

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426 Handling Stamp Credits

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426.9 Handling International Reply Coupons

426.91 General

[Revise 426.91 to read as follows:]

For definitions of international reply coupon (IRC) categories, see sections 437.31 and 447.31. Other financial procedures are contained in the International Mail Manual (IMM), Part 372.

1> Foreign-issued IRCs are exchanged at U.S. Post Offices as specified in the IMM, section 372.3b. (Foreign-issued IRCs dated prior to January 1, 1975, are obsolete and cannot be exchanged at domestic Post Offices. Customers possessing these coupons may return them to the sender for replacement from the selling office.)

2> Do not commingle exchanged foreign-issued IRCs with unused U.S.-issued refunded IRCs (those with the U.S. selling price on them that were returned for refund by customers). U.S.-issued refunded IRCs may be exchanged at local Post Offices as specified in the IMM, section 372.3a.

3> Treat U.S.-issued refunded IRCs as nonsalable stock and dispose of them as outlined herein. (When rates change, special instructions will be provided in the Postal Bulletin.)

[Revise the title and text of 426.92 to read as follows:]

426.92 Retail Associates

1> Return all exchanged foreign-issued and U.S.-issued refunded IRCs with a PS Form 17 to the unit reserve stock custodian.

2> Record the total amount of the foreign-issued and U.S.-issued refunded IRCs to AIC 848 on PS Form 1412-A, Daily Financial Report, or PS Form 1412-B, Daily Financial Report - SPORT Offices.

426.93 Unit Reserve

[Revise 426.93 to read as follows:]

>> Upon receipt of exchanged foreign-issued and U.S.- issued refunded IRCs, enter the amount in the unit reserve stock.

[Delete 426.94 and renumber existing 426.95 as new 426.94 as follows:]

426.94 Annual Submission to the SDO/SSC

[Revise the introductory paragraph to read as follows:]

All stations, branches, and Post Offices must submit exchanged foreign-issued and U.S.-issued refunded IRCs accepted through December 31 each year to their servicing SDO or SSC before the end of February. Follow the steps below.

* * * * *

[Delete item 6; revise existing item 7 and renumber as new item 6; revise existing item 8 and renumber as new item 7 to read as follows:]

6> Units record shipped IRCs to AIC 848, Stock Returned. Make this entry when you ship the IRCs to the SDO or SSC.

7> Ship exchanged foreign-issued and U.S.-issued refunded IRCs, original memorandums, and PS Form 17 to the SDO or SSC.

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43 Managing Accountable Paper at a Stamp Distribution Office

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437 Handling Accountable Paper Returns

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[Revise the title of 437.3 to read as follows:]

437.3 Handling International Reply Coupons at the SDO

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437.33 Defining an Exchanged IRC

[Revise the text of 437.33 to read as follows:]

An exchanged IRC is a coupon that is sold in a foreign country and exchanged at a U.S. Post Office for postage. See IMM, Part 372, for the current exchange rate.

Note: Foreign-issued IRCs dated before January 1, 1975, are not exchangeable in U.S. Post Offices.

437.34 Accounting for Returned IRCs at the SDO

[Revise 437.34 to read as follows:]

The SDO sends exchanged foreign-issued and U.S.-issued refunded IRCs accepted in U.S. Post Offices through December 31 of each year to the Eagan ASC at the end of March. The SDO supervisor must do the following:

1> Issue a notice, before the end of December, to all units and offices with instructions to internally recall all exchanged foreign-issued and U.S.-issued refunded IRCs into the unit reserve stock. The notice must include batching instructions (PS Form 17 is required for exchanged foreign-issued and U.S.-issued refunded IRCs, sorted by denominations) and a time period for unit reserve stock custodians to return the IRCs to the SDO.

2> Upon receipt of the exchanged foreign-issued and U.S.-issued refunded IRCs, enter the total amount to "Stock Received from Other USPS Sites, IMOD Code 2" in the Stamp Services System at the value reported on PS Form 17.

3> Enter the total amount of exchanged foreign-issued and U.S.-issued refunded IRCs to "Stock Returned to Supplier, IMOD Code 9" in the Stamp Services System at the value reported on PS Form 17.

4> Batch exchanged foreign-issued and U.S.-issued refunded IRCs separately and mail them to the Eagan ASC at the end of March to the following address:

EAGAN ASC FINANCE BRANCH
FINANCIAL REPORTING
2825 LONE OAK PKWY
EAGAN MN 55121-9617

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44 Managing Accountable Paper at a Stamp Services Center

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447 Handling Accountable Paper Returns

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[Revise the title of 447.3 to read as follows:]

447.3 Handling International Reply Coupons at the SSC

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447.33 Exchanged IRC Definition

[Revise 447.33 to read as follows:]

An exchanged IRC is a coupon that is sold in a foreign country and exchanged at a U.S. Post Office for postage. See IMM, Part 372, for the current exchange rate.

Note: Foreign-issued IRCs dated before January 1, 1975, are not exchangeable in U.S. Post Offices.

447.34 Accounting for Returned IRCs at the SSC

[Revise 447.34 to read as follows:]

The SSC sends exchanged foreign-issued and U.S.-issued refunded IRCs accepted in U.S. Post Offices through December 31 of each year to the Eagan ASC at the end of March. The SSC manager must do the following:

1> Issue a notice, before the end of December, to all units and offices with instructions to internally recall all exchanged foreign-issued and U.S.-issued refunded IRCs into the unit reserve stock. The notice must include batching instructions (PS Form 17 is required for exchanged foreign-issued and U.S.-issued refunded IRCs, sorted by denomination) and a time period for unit reserve stock custodians to return the IRCs to the SSC.

2> Upon receipt of the exchanged foreign-issued and U.S.-issued refunded IRCs, enter the total amount to "Stock Received from Other USPS Sites, IMOD Code 2" in the Stamp Services System at the value reported on PS Form 17.

3> Enter the total amount of exchanged foreign-issued and U.S.-issued refunded IRCs to "Stock Returned to Supplier, IMOD Code 9" in the Stamp Services System at the value reported on PS Form 17.

4> Batch exchanged foreign-issued and U.S.-issued refunded IRCs separately and mail them to the Eagan ASC at the end of March to the following address:

EAGAN ASC FINANCE BRANCH
FINANCIAL REPORTING
2825 LONE OAK PKWY
EAGAN MN 55121-9617

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- Revenue and Field Accounting,
Finance, 3-18-04

HANDBOOK F-1 REVISION

Bird Stamps Destruction

Effective March 1, 2004, Handbook F-1, Post Office Accounting Procedures, is revised to update the procedures for submitting bird stamps for destruction. Offices will continue to send bird stamps to the stamp destruction committee through the office's designated stamp distribution office or stamp services center. At the time of shipment, offices record the financial transaction in AIC 848, Stock Returned.

Upon receipt of the destruction shipment, the stamp distribution office makes entries to "Redeemed Migratory Bird Stamps, Item Number 339100" in the Stamp Services System, awaiting the destruction process by the stamp destruction committee. The stamp services center makes entries to "Stock Received from other USPS Sites, IMOD Code 2" in the Stamp Services System, awaiting the destruction by the stamp destruction committee. After the stamp destruction committee destroys the stock, the stamp distribution office or stamp services center makes entries into the "Stock Destruction by Committee, IMOD Code 8" account.

Offices must stop using PS Form 3238, Stamps and Stamped Paper Destruction Certificate, and PS Form 17-T, Accountable Items Returned Stamp Distribution Network. Instead, offices must use PS Form 17, Stamp Requisition/Stamp Return (June 2002).

We will incorporate these revisions into the next printed version of Handbook F-1 and into the next update of the online version accessible on the Postal ServiceTM PolicyNet Web site; go to http://blue.usps.gov; click on More References, then HBKs.

Handbook F-1, Post Office Accounting Procedures

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4 Managing Accountable Paper

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42 Managing Accountable Paper at Stations, Branches, and Post Offices With Stamp Accountability

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427 Handling Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamps

[Revise 427 to read as follows:]

>> Requisition bird stamps before July 1 each year. Report them separately from postage stock in the unit reserve stock. Show bird stamps and postage stock accountability on PS Form 1412 as one amount. Before the close of April, return bird stamps to the unit reserve. No later than the close of May, submit them to the stamp destruction committee or SSC stamp stock return committee using PS Form 17.

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427.4 Unsold Bird Stamps

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427.42 Submitting Unsold Bird Stamps

[Revise 427.42 to read as follows:]

Offices Serviced by SDOs

Post Offices must follow these procedures:

1> Retail associate must submit unsold bird stamps to the unit reserve before the close of April. The unit reserve must submit unsold bird stamps to the SDO prior to the close of May.

2> Prepare an original and four copies of PS Form 17. Mark the forms as "Returned for Destruction" and as "Bird Stamps."

3> Submit to the SDO the original PS Form 17 in an envelope taped to the outside of the box and identify the box as "Bird Stamps Returned for Destruction." Ensure three copies of PS Form 17 are inside with the bird stamps and file the fourth copy locally. Do not commingle bird stamps returned for destruction with return stock.

Note: Shipments without the original PS Form 17 taped to the outside of the package will not be processed and will be returned to sender.

4> Record bird stamps shipped to AIC 848 on the office PS Form 1412 on the date of dispatch to the SDO.

Offices Serviced by SSCs

Offices must submit unsold bird stamps to the SSC before the close of May. Post Offices must follow these procedures:

1> Prepare an original and four copies of PS Form 17. Mark the forms as "Returned for Destruction" and as "Bird Stamps."

2> Submit to the SSC the original PS Form 17 in an envelope taped to the outside of the box and identify the box as "Bird Stamps Returned for Destruction." Ensure three copies of PS Form 17 are inside with the bird stamps and file the fourth copy locally. Do not commingle bird stamps returned for destruction with return stock.

Note: Shipments without the original PS Form 17 taped to the outside of the package will not be processed and will be returned to sender.

3> Record bird stamps shipped to AIC 848 on the date of dispatch to the SSC.

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43 Managing Accountable Paper at a Stamp Distribution Office

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437 Handling Accountable Paper Returns

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[Revise the title of 437.2 to read as follows:]

437.2 Handling Migratory Bird Stamps

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437.22 Disposing of Unsold Bird Stamps

[Revise 437.22 to read as follows:]

Postal retail units must withdraw bird stamps for sale by the end of April of each fiscal year. The SDO supervisor is responsible for issuing a notice to all:

Offices

>> Instruct postal retail offices to recall bird stamps internally and place them in the unit reserve stamp stock. The notice must include a time period for the office to return bird stamps to the SDO for destruction using PS Form 17. Report the return in AIC 848.

Consignee of Bird Stamps

>> Instruct postal retail units to return unsold bird stamps to the SDO or, if appropriate, to the postal retail unit that created the consignment.

Note: You must process unsold bird stamps for return, except those retained in philatelic units, before the close of May of each fiscal year.

437.23 Accounting for Unsold Bird Stamps

[Revise 437.23 to read as follows:]

The SDO must do the following:

1> Record bird stamps returned from stations and branches and Post Offices.

2> Submit the bird stamps to the SDC with the two copies of PS Form 17.

Upon receiving the certified copies of PS Form 17 from the SDC, the SDO must do the following:

1> Process IMOD Code 8, which records the destruction to bird stamps on PS Form 3958.

2> Keep the signed original PS Form 17 with PS Form 3958 on file at the SDO.

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44 Managing Accountable Paper at a Stamp Services Center

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447 Handling Accountable Paper Returns

* * * * *

[Revise the title of 447.2 to read as follows:]

447.2 Handling Migratory Bird Stamps

* * * * *

447.22 Disposing of Unsold Bird Stamps

[Revise 447.22 to read as follows:]

Postal retail units must withdraw bird stamps for sale by the end of April each fiscal year. The SSC manager is responsible for issuing a notice to all units.

Units

>> Instruct postal retail units to recall bird stamps internally and place them in the unit reserve stamp stock. The notice must include a time period for the unit to return bird stamps to the SSC using PS Form 17. Report the return in AIC 848.

Note: The SSC must process all unsold bird stamps for "In-House Destruction," except those retained in philatelic units, before the close of May of each fiscal year.

447.23 Accounting for Unsold Bird Stamps

[Revise 447.23 to read as follows:]

SSC

1> Makes entries to "Stock Received from other USPS Sites, IMOD Code 2" in the SSS, and awaits the destruction.

2> Submits the bird stamps and PS Form 17 to the stamp stock return committee.

Stamp Stock Return Committee

1> Certifies the bird stamps for destruction and signs all copies of PS Form 17.

2> Enters the certified amount from PS Form 17 into the SSS.

SDO

1> Destroys the bird stamps and submits PS Form 17 to the SSC manager or designee.

2> Notifies the SSC manager when there will be a time lag in destroying stock and when the stock will be finally destroyed.

SSC Manager

1> Records the entries into the "Stock Destruction by Committee, IMOD Code 8" account. If there is a time lag before destruction, records the stock in a log as pending destruction.

2> Keep the signed PS Form 17 on file.

* * * * *

- Revenue and Field Accounting,
Finance, 3-18-04

Philately

STAMP ANNOUNCEMENT 04-06

Henry Mancini Commemorative Stamp

The Postal ServiceTM will issue a 37-cent Henry Mancini commemorative stamp (Item 455800) in a pressure- sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 on April 13, 2004, in Los Angeles, California. The stamp, designed by Carl T. Herrman of Carlsbad, California, goes on sale nationwide April 14, 2004.

This stamp honors Henry Mancini, one of the most successful music composers in the history of television and film as well as a popular pianist and concert conductor. Mancini left a rich legacy of catchy television themes, hit songs, and unforgettable film scores, such as "Peter Gunn," "Moon River," and The Pink Panther, respectively. He won many awards, including 20 Grammys and 4 Oscars, and his albums have sold more than 30 million copies.

The stamp features a painting by artist Victor Stabin showing Mancini conducting as the titles of some of his most popular film and television projects appear to scroll over a screen behind him. An image of the Pink Panther in the lower left is a further reminder of one of Mancini's popular works.

How to Order the First Day of Issue Postmark

Customers have 30 days to obtain the first day of issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post OfficeTM, by telephone at 800-STAMP-24, and at the Postal Store Web site at www.usps.com/shop. They should affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:

HENRY MANCINI COMMEMORATIVE STAMP
MARKETING DEPARTMENT
US POSTAL SERVICE
7001 S CENTRAL AVE RM 338
LOS ANGELES CA 90052-9996

After applying the first day of issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark. All orders must be postmarked by May 12, 2004.

How to Order the First Day Covers

Stamp Fulfillment Services also offers first day covers for new stamp issues and Postal Service stationery items postmarked with the official first day of issue cancellation. Each item has an individual catalog number and is offered in the quarterly USA Philatelic catalog. Customers may request a free catalog by telephoning 800-STAMP-24 or writing to:

INFORMATION FULFILLMENT
DEPT 6270
US POSTAL SERVICE
PO BOX 219014
KANSAS CITY MO 64121-9014

First day covers remain on sale for at least 1 year after the stamp's issuance.

Philatelic Products

There is a philatelic product for this stamp issue. The Ceremony Keepsake (Ceremony Program with pane of stamps), Item 455891, sells for $13.95 and is available in Postal Retail Stores, online at www.usps.com, and by telephone at 800-STAMP-24.

Distribution: 37-cent Henry Mancini Commemorative Stamp, Item 455800

Stamp distribution offices (SDOs) will receive approximately three-fourths of the standard automatic distribution quantity for a PSA sheet stamp. Distributions are rounded up to the nearest master carton size (40,000 stamps).

Initial Supply to Post Offices

SDOs will make a subsequent automatic distribution to Post Offices of one-half of their standard automatic distribution quantity using PS Form 17, Stamp Requisition/Stamp Return. SDOs must not distribute stamps to Post Offices before April 9, 2004.

Philatelic Requirement

SDOs with authorized philatelic centers will receive an automatic distribution of these stamps in six positions for subsequent distribution to each philatelic window.

Additional Supply

Post Offices requiring additional quantities of Item 455800 must requisition them from their designated SDO using PS Form 17. SDOs requiring additional stamps must order them from the appropriate accountable paper depository (APD) using PS Form 17.

For fulfilling supplemental orders from SDOs, the San Francisco APD will receive 1,800,000 additional stamps; the New York APD will receive 1,400,000 additional stamps; the Chicago APD and the Memphis APD will each receive 1,200,000 additional stamps; and the Denver APD will receive 800,000 additional stamps.

Sales Policy

All Post Offices must acquire and maintain a supply of each new commemorative stamp as long as customer demand exists, until inventory is depleted, or until the stamp is officially withdrawn from sale. If supplies run low, Post Offices must reorder additional quantities using their normal ordering procedures.

- Stamp Services,
Government Relations, 3-18-04

Pictorial Cancellations Announcement

As a community service, the Postal ServiceTM offers pictorial cancellations to commemorate local events celebrated in communities throughout the nation. A list of events for which pictorial cancellations are authorized appears below. If available, the sponsor of the pictorial cancellation appears in italics under the date. Also provided, as space permits, are illustrations of those cancellations that were reproducible and available at press time.

People attending these local events may obtain the cancellation in person at the temporary Post OfficeTM station established there. Those who cannot attend the event, but who wish to obtain the cancellation, may submit a mail order request. Pictorial cancellations are available only for the dates indicated, and requests must be postmarked no later than 30 days following the requested pictorial cancellation date.

All requests must include a stamped envelope or postcard bearing at least the minimum First-Class Mail® postage. Items submitted for cancellation may not include postage issued after the date of the requested cancellation. Such items will be returned unserviced.

Customers wishing to obtain a cancellation should affix stamps to any envelope or postcard of their choice, address the envelope or postcard to themselves or others,insert a card of postcard thickness in envelopes for sturdiness, and tuck in the flap. Place the envelope or postcard in a larger envelope and address it to: PICTORIAL CANCELLATIONS, followed by the NAME OF THE STATION,ADDRESS, CITY, STATE, ZIP+4® CODE, exactly as listed below (using all capitals and no punctuation, except the hyphen in the ZIP+4 code).

Customers can also send stamped envelopes and postcards without addresses for cancellation, as long as they supply a larger envelope with adequate postage and their return address. After applying the pictorial cancellation, the Postal Service returns the items (with or without addresses) under addressed protective cover.

- Stamp Services,
Government Relations, 3-18-04

CORRECTION

United States Air Force Academy Commemorative Stamp

In the article "Stamp Announcement 04-05, United States Air Force Academy Commemorative Stamp," in Postal Bulletin 22123 (3-4-04, page 73), the information about the manufacturing process (listed in the technical details table) incorrectly lists only "Gravure." The manufacturing process should have been listed as "Gravure with Srambled Indicia" because Scrambled Indicia was used in the stamp's manufacturing process.

The first day of issue postmark address in that article also was incorrect. The first day of issue postmark address should have been listed as follows:

UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY
COMMEMORATIVE STAMP
POSTMASTER
5136 COMMUNITY CENTER DR
USAF ACADEMY CO 80840-9998

- Stamp Services,
Government Relations, 3-18-04

Post Offices