What's New in the Domestic Mail Manual?
The online DMM is updated monthly on Postal Explorer at http://pe.usps.gov.

DMM Revisions

DMM Update Summary

Following are the most recent revisions to the DMM, organized by topic.

Addressing

In A030.1.4, A910.6.1, A950.1.3, and G912.2.1, new terminology changes "National Change of Address" to "National Change of Address Linkage System" and "NCOA" to "NCOALINK."

Eligibility

E213.1.6 is revised to clarify that applicants for Periodicals news agent registry must submit, along with the application, a listing of the publishers, the corresponding titles, and the publication numbers for the qualifying Periodicals publications distributed by the applicant.

E650 is revised to change the standards for labeling bundles and sacks of flats (except First-Class Mail) and certain irregular parcels sorted to the mixed area distribution center (ADC) level.

E670.5.11 reflects an increase from $8.20 to $8.30 for low-cost products mailable at Nonprofit Standard Mail rates.

E710.1.0 provides a limited exception to the general prohibition against mailing copies of authorized and pending Periodicals publications at Package Service rates. This provision allows Periodicals publications to be included with merchandise mailed at Parcel Post or Bound Printed Matter rates. This change does not affect any eligibility standards (e.g., circulation requirements) for Periodicals rates.

E751.Exhibit 8.0, is corrected by deleting six ZIP Codes.

General Information

L008 is added and revisions were made across modules E, M, and P to add the 3-digit scheme bundle option to the mail preparation standards for automated flat sorting machine (AFSM) 100-compatible flat-size mail for Periodicals, Standard Mail, and Bound Printed Matter (BPM) mailings. Three-digit scheme bundles of flats are prepared using new DMM L008. Effective April 18, 2005, mailers electing to prepare AFSM 100-compatible flats under DMM M930 and M940 will be required to prepare 3-digit scheme packages.

Labeling Lists

New labeling list L009 consolidates the processing of the relatively low volume of mail at the mixed ADC level. We've moved L802 and L803 to the general use sections and renumbered them as L010 and L011.

L001, L007, and L606 are revised to reflect changes in mail processing operations.

Mail Preparation and Sortation

In the M module, a number of units are updated to change the standards for labeling bundles and sacks of flats (except First-class Mail) and certain irregular parcels sorted to the mixed area distribution center (ADC) level. Affected units include M013, M045, M210, M610, M722, M730, M740, M810, M820, M910, M920, M930, and M940.

M930.1.4 and M940.1.4, are clarified that, for purposes of calculating the 5 percent threshold, firm bundles (regardless of the rate claimed) are added together with the number of addressed pieces in carrier route bundles.

Special Services

S919 is updated to reflect the elimination of the signature waiver option for Signature Confirmation service.

This information is posted the Postal Explorer Web site at http://pe.usps.com (click on "DMM Advisory").

Three-Digit Scheme Bundle Preparation for Periodicals, Standard Mail, and Bound Printed Matter Flats

On January 6, 2005, the 3-digit scheme (L008) bundle option was implemented for automated flat sorting machine (AFSM) 100-compatible flat-size mail for Periodicals, Standard Mail, and Bound Printed Matter (BPM) mailings. Effective April 18, 2005, mailers electing to prepare AFSM 100-compatible flats under the advance preparation options in DMM M930 and M940 must prepare 3-digit scheme bundles.

As with 5-digit scheme (DMM L007) bundle preparation (implemented January 2003), 3-digit scheme bundle preparation is reserved for mailing jobs that consist entirely of mailpieces that meet the dimension, weight, and flexibility criteria for the AFSM 100 in DMM C820.2.0. Mailing jobs containing any flat-size pieces not meeting the dimension, weight, and flexibility criteria for the AFSM 100 may not be prepared using 5-digit or 3-digit scheme bundle preparation.

In lieu of preparing individual 3-digit bundles, the 3-digit scheme gives mailers the option to prepare presort destination bundles of flats in groups of 3-digit ZIP Codes specified by the Postal Service in DMM L008. This is consistent with the processing of multiple ZIP Codes within the same incoming secondary operation on the AFSM 100.

Mailers choosing to prepare 3-digit scheme bundles must prepare them for all possible combinations in the mailing job when required due to volume and density. There is no requirement to group pieces by individual 3-digit ZIP Codes within a 3-digit scheme bundle. Three-digit scheme bundles require a single minimum for presort eligibility as follows:

• Periodicals - 6 addressed pieces for 3-digit rate eligibility.
• Standard Mail - 10 pieces for 3/5 rate eligibility.
• BPM - 10 pieces for Presorted rate.

Destination Sectional Center Facility (DSCF) rates and discounts apply to Standard Mail, Periodicals, and BPM items that are part of a 3-digit scheme combination when deposited at a Sectional Center Facility (SCF), or USPS-designated facility, and are addressed for delivery within the service area of the facility where deposited, or when part of a 3-digit scheme combination in L008.

Bundles (i.e., each mailpiece within a bundle) must be labeled using the optional endorsement line (OEL) "SCH 3-DIGIT ###" (see DMM M013). Three-digit scheme bundles are palletized or sacked (as appropriate), including on/in individual 3-digit pallets and sacks, using the "label to" ZIP Code in the OEL (the same manner as individual 3-digit bundles). Sacks or pallets are never labeled using L008.

Periodicals mailers may choose to prepare "low-volume" 3-digit scheme bundles when the publisher determines that such preparation improves service. Pieces in such low-volume 3-digit scheme bundles must be claimed at the applicable basic rate.

Mailers must perform address matching using CASS-certified address-matching software before presorting to ensure correct 5-digit ZIP Codes and accurate scheme bundles. See DMM A950.

The Postal Service will offer testing for Presort Accuracy Verification and Evaluation (PAVE) certification as an option but will not require the use of PAVE-certified software with mail prepared under DMM M045.3.0. For information on PAVE testing and certification, contact the National Customer Support Center (NCSC) at 800-238-3150.

Mailers with questions regarding scheme bundle preparation should contact the Post Office where they enter mailings.

DMMReminders

Priority Mail Flat-Rate Box Packaging

Priority Mail flat-rate boxes give customers a single, predetermined $7.70 postage rate, regardless of the actual weight or destination of the mailpiece. The flat rate applies to all USPS-produced flat-rate boxes. Flat-rate boxes cannot be used for other mail classes or for any other Priority Mail rate.

If a Priority Mail flat-rate box is inverted, or the flat-rate markings have been obliterated, the rate is still $7.70. The only exception to the flat rate is if the box is reconfigured, or enlarged in any way to accommodate the contents. In this case the Priority Mail rate is based on weight and distance (zone).

For additional information on the flat-rate box, see DMM G995 and the November 11, 2004, Postal Bulletin. The Postal Bulletin is available online at www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/bulletin/pb.htm.

Mailing Perishable Items

Perishable matter consists of items that can deteriorate in the mail and lose value, create a health hazard, or cause an obnoxious odor, nuisance, or disturbance under ordinary conditions. Examples of perishable items are animals, food, and plants. Customers may mail mailable perishable items at their own risk, as long as the item is properly packaged and can be delivered within appropriate and reasonable time limits to prevent deterioration.

DMM continued