New Preparation Standards for Bundles on Pallets

Effective May 11, 2006, we are revising the preparation standards for presort destination bundles of Periodicals, Standard Mail®, and Package Services flats and irregular parcels (i.e., publications, catalogs and other flat-shaped pieces exceeding one or more of the maximum dimensions for flats) placed on pallets. Bundles on pallets are easier and less costly to prepare and process than bundles placed in sacks. Additionally, bundles on pallets maintain their integrity to a greater degree than bundles in sacks. Coupled with recent adjustments to the minimum weight of mail prepared on pallets entered at destination postal facilities (see DMM 705.8.0), we are helping increase the number of mailings prepared on pallets, and reduce a mailer’s dependency on sacks.

Under the new standards, mailers continue to prepare all required and optional 5-digit through sectional center facility (SCF) pallets according to existing standards. Following that:

Periodicals Mailings

If there are 250 or more pounds of mail remaining within the service area of an area distribution center (ADC), an ADC pallet (using DMM L004) must be prepared. If there are no ADC pallets in a mailing — for example, if a mailer’s presort software is set to stop at the SCF level — and 250 or more pounds remain for an SCF service area (DMM L005), mailers must prepare the SCF pallet.

Standard Mail and Package Services Mailings

If there are 250 or more pounds of mail remaining within the service area of an auxiliary service facility (ASF), or bulk mail center (BMC) as appropriate, an ASF pallet (using DMM L602) or BMC pallet (using DMM L601) must be prepared. If there are no ASF or BMC pallets in a mailing — for example, if a mailer’s presort software is set to stop at the SCF level — and 250 or more pounds remain for an SCF service area (DMM L005), mailers must prepare the SCF pallet.

Bundle Reallocation - Periodicals Mail and ADC Pallets

We are further revising the preparation standards to provide Periodicals mailers the option to reallocate bundles of flats and irregular parcel mailpieces on pallets to protect the ADC pallet level.

Bundle reallocation to protect the SCF pallet level has been available for several years. At this time, a similar principle is extended to the ADC pallet level. As always, bundle reallocation remains optional and can only be performed when using Presort Accuracy and Validation Evaluation (PAVE)-certified software. Also, if the bundle reallocation option is performed, it must be done for the complete mailing job.

These new standards will be incorporated into the May 11, update of the online DMM on Postal Explorer® at pe.usps.com.