Two years ago, Delivery Confirmation became available for Priority Mail and ground parcels. That service provided customers with easy-to-access delivery information at a low cost.

A pilot test is now underway for a new service that extends Delivery Confirmation to Priority Mail drop shipments.

A new Tag 161 has been created for mailers who want to use Priority Mail drop shipment with Delivery Confirmation. Mailers generate a shipping label, which contains a unique Delivery Confirmation barcode, then attach this label to one side of the green Tag 161. When the Priority Mail drop shipment arrives at its destination, Tag 161 is removed so the Delivery Confirmation barcode can be scanned to show the day of arrival.

The "Delivered" scan will reflect the exact day the Priority Mail drop shipment arrived at its destination location. It does not guarantee delivery of the enclosed mailing by a certain day or time. Data from each Tag 161 will feed into a central database. Mailers can access information on their drop shipments electronically through a file transfer or via the Internet. The Delivery Confirmation system will provide service performance information for Priority Mail drop shipments that will be valuable to mailers as well as the Postal Service.

Subject to the successful completion of the test, the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) will be updated and the service will become available to all mailers.

For additional information on the pilot test, check out Postal Bulletin 22052, issued on June 14.

The pilot test is scheduled to conclude on October 16, 2001. Customers interested in participating in the pilot should contact their Postal Service account manager.

Priority Mail drop shipments allow mailers to use an expedited postal network for transporting presorted bulk mailings to destinating entry offices. First, an acceptance clerk at the origin office must verify the preparation of the presorted mailing and ensure that proper postage is paid. Next, the Postal Service transports and delivers the mailing in Priority Mail sacks to destinating offices within 2-3 days. Last, the mailing is processed at the destinating office to meet its appropriate service commitment.

The largest users of Priority Mail drop shipments are mailers who prepare Standard Mail flats and irregular parcels. However, any class of mail can be transported between domestic postal facilities as a Priority Mail drop shipment.

— Expedited/Package Services