The article Mailing Succeeding Issues of a Periodicals Publication in the May/June 2004 Mailers Companion cited standards for Periodicals in DMM E211.2.1d, which state that: “The primary distribution of each issue [of a Periodicals publication] must be made before that of each succeeding issue.” That article is retracted and the standard is clarified below:

Mailing Succeeding Issues of a Periodicals Publication

In context, DMM E211.1d is among four criteria that define, for postal purposes, a “Periodical” or “Periodical publication,” which is one published at a stated frequency with the intent to continue indefinitely. Others include “continuity” from issue to issue; a primary purpose of the transmission of information; and “content” definition. (See DMM E211.1a through d for complete criteria.)

Periodicals publications meeting the definition in E211.2 must also meet basic criteria to be authorized Periodicals that include “printed sheets,” “known office of publication,” and “regular issuance.” (See DMM E211.2 through E211.5 for complete definitions of all four basic requirements).

While it is expected that the “primary distribution” of an issue of a Periodical would precede that of a subsequent issue or issues, the combining of issues when mailing is not considered, in and of itself, evidence the material no longer meets the definition of a Periodical. All criteria cited above are relied upon in making such determinations.

Nor does an occurrence of a combined mailing, or more than one, require a change in authorized “frequency” of a Periodicals publication. It is expected, however, that whether a combined mailing of issues is made by the publisher or not, required “marked copies” of a Periodicals publication (serving, in part, as evidence of “publishing”) be submitted to the postmaster in a timely fashion as required by postal standards.

The manager, Business Mail Entry, may be consulted for more information concerning Periodicals mail.