Ease of Use
Making it easier for customers to use the Postal Service

Double Post Cards

Occasionally, questions arise concerning the “content” classification of material eligible for various classes of mail and rates. Recently, questions have been raised concerning the content of “double post cards” eligible for the First-Class Mail® card rate.

A double post card, as described in Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) C100.2.9, consists of two attached post cards, one of which is for the transmission of information from the addressee back to the sender. Each card is subject to the card rate; however, postage need not be paid for the reply portion until it is detached and mailed as a reply piece.

The lower First-Class rate for cards was established to accommodate mailers that desire to send a single “visible” message without an envelope. Thus, the “second portion” of a double post card may not be used to convey a message to the original addressee or to send statements of account. It may be designed “only” for reply purposes. When mailers use the second or reply half of a double post card to convey a separate message to the original addressee, whether advertising or matter other than advertising, the card is properly chargeable at the First-Class letter rate.

Information on Consumer Products and Services

The Postal Service has discontinued Publication 201, Consumer’s Guide to Postal Services and Products (March 1998), and the Spanish-language version, Publication 201-S, Guía para el consumidor de servicios y productos postales (May 1999). Both publications will be removed from the Postal Service system of forms and directives.

Consumers can now find most of the essential information contained in those documents in either the updated Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) 100, A Customer’s Guide to Mailing (June 2003), or in the recently released DMM 200-A, A Guide to Mailing for Businesses and Organizations (June 2003). In addition, the Postal Service issued a Spanish-language version of DMM 100.

DMM 100

DMM 100 is an excellent introduction to the Postal Service products and services most commonly used by consumers and small mailers. The design of this guide includes practical information on these important topics:

Choosing the right service for mailing based on mailpiece shape, speed of delivery, and postage for the service.

• Adding extra services such as Certified Mail™ or Delivery Confirmation™.
• Addressing mail properly, including overseas military mail.
• Preparing and addressing packages for mailing and choosing the right mailing container, cushioning material, and sealing tape.
• Sending and receiving mail as well as having mail held or forwarded and filing change-of-address requests.

DMM 100 includes a simplified rate chart with postage rates for the mail services that most consumers frequently use. Another useful feature is a section devoted to other consumer products and services such as international mail, military mail, money orders, NetPost™ Online Services, passports, Post Office™ boxes, PC Postage® products, and stamp collecting. For frequent mailers and small businesses, DMM 100 also contains a section that presents information on additional services geared toward these mailers.

DMM 200-A

Much more expansive in scope and purpose, DMM 200-A presents a wealth of practical information on selecting the appropriate mail service for meeting business or organizational needs. Like DMM 100, the new DMM 200-A is designed around a logical sequence of decisions, from choosing the right postage payment method to understanding mail entry. With charts and samples, several checklists, and clear examples, DMM 200-A can answer most strategic questions asked by small-volume and medium-volume business mailers.

Availability

Customers can find both DMM 100 and DMM 200-A on the Postal Service website at www.usps.com and in their local Post Office or business mail entry unit.

Delivery Confirmation and Signature Confirmation Services — First-Class Mail and Package Services Parcels

Customers and employees are reminded that for First-Class Mail and Package Services, Delivery Confirmation or Signature Confirmation™ may be used only for mail meeting the definition of “parcel” in Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) S918.1.2 and S919.1.2. Letter-size pieces and flat-size pieces mailed at First-Class Mail rates are ineligible for Delivery Confirmation and Signature Confirmation services. Flat-size pieces sent at Package Services rates are also ineligible for either special service.

Availability of Delivery Confirmation and Signature Confirmation Services

Priority Mail®: All Priority Mail pieces, regardless of mail processing category, are eligible for Delivery Confirmation service or Signature Confirmation service.
First-Class Mail: Only parcels are eligible for Delivery Confirmation service or Signature Confirmation service.
Package Services: Only parcels are eligible for Delivery Confirmation service or Signature Confirmation service.
Standard Mail: Only pieces subject to the residual shape surcharge are eligible for Delivery Confirmation service (and only with the electronic option). Standard Mail pieces, regardless of mail processing category or whether a residual shape surcharge is applied, are not eligible for any form of Signature Confirmation service.

The definition of a parcel, for the purposes of using either Delivery Confirmation service or Signature Confirmation service, is in DMM S918.1.2 and S919.1.2.