The following changes to the Domestic Mail Manual are incorporated into the online version available via Postal Explorer at http://pe.usps.gov.
Revisions
Rulings Concerning First-Class Mail and Standard Mail
Effective January 22, 2004, the manager of Mailing Standards began issuing the final agency decision on mailer appeals of local decisions that mail entered (or sought to be entered) at Standard Mail rates is required, due to its contents, to be mailed as First-Class Mail. This change transfers authority from the rates and classification service centers (RCSCs) to Headquarters but does not affect the authority of local Postal Service officials to issue classification and revenue deficiency rulings or the authority of the RCSCs to consider appeals other than those described above. DMM G020.3.0 and P011.4.2 are revised to reflect this change.
Mailers should continue to send appeals to the office that issued the decision, accompanied by a complete copy of the mailpiece in question, in accordance with the DMM. Postmasters receiving appeals should continue to forward them to the appropriate RCSC. In turn, the RCSC will forward applicable appeals to the manager of Mailing Standards.
Window Envelopes — Address Visibility
Effective February 5, 2004, DMM C010.6.1 was revised to clarify that all characters in the delivery address (including any postal barcode, marking, or endorsement) must be completely visible in window envelopes throughout the full range of the movement of the inserts bearing the delivery address.
Mailers using window envelopes (both letter-size and flat-size) should design inserts and address element placement to ensure successful processing of window envelopes on automated equipment. One critical element that must be considered in the design stage is adequate clear space (blank space) between the address block and all four edges of the window.
When an insert bearing a delivery address is placed in a window envelope, the placement of all elements comprising the address block must be formatted on the insert to allow the entire delivery address and any corresponding elements included as part of the delivery address block (such as a POSTNET barcode or an Address Change Service (ACS) participant code) to appear in the window when the insert is moved to its full limits in each direction within the envelope. With little exception, most mail is processed on automated equipment, which needs this clear space to distinguish address information from the edges of the window. The requirements for clear space around the address block are as follows:
Any window envelope used for letter-size or flat-size mail claimed at automation rates or for letter-size mail claimed at Enhanced Carrier Route high density or saturation rates must also meet the barcoding standards for letters and flats in DMM C840.
For letter-size automation rate mail and letter-size mail claimed at Enhanced Carrier Route high density and saturation rates bearing a barcode in the barcode clear zone (see DMM C840.2.1), a clear space of 1/8 inch is recommended between the address block elements and the top, bottom, left, and right edges of the window.
This revision ensures consistent interpretation of current mailing standards for mailpieces prepared in window envelopes. Mailers and Postal Service employees are also reminded that DMM A010.1.1 requires that the delivery address on any mailpiece, regardless of rate claimed, must be visible and legible.
Sealing of Double Postcards
Effective February 5, 2004, DMM C100.2.9 was revised to clarify standards governing the content and sealing of double postcards.
The change makes clear that only the top or bottom of a double postcard, once folded, may be sealed. Double postcards may not be sealed against inspection and are examined to ensure that the reply half does not include an additional message. Therefore, sealing of the sides of double postcards, regardless of method, is not permitted.
Reminders
Clarification of the Nonmachinable Surcharge for Shrubs and Trees
Many shrubs and trees enter the mailstream each spring. The nonmachinable surcharge does not automatically apply to shrubs and trees; it depends on the dimensions of the mailpiece and the type of packaging used.
Parcels outside of these criteria are nonmachinable. In addition, some Parcel Post mailpieces are nonmachinable because of characteristics (such as inadequate packaging) that could damage the contents, other parcels, or Postal Service machinery. These pieces are subject to the nonmachinable surcharge because they require more costly manual sortation. These standards, in DMM C700.2.0, were not intended to include nursery stock (such as shrubs and trees) completely enclosed in boxes or cartons that otherwise meet machinable criteria.
Nursery stock in plastic, vinyl, or paper bags (sealed or unsealed) is nonmachinable and must be assessed the applicable nonmachinable surcharge.
Media Mail Reminders
Items eligible for mailing at Media Mail rates are restricted to those listed in DMM E713.1. A recent DMM revision allows sound recordings to contain incidental announcements of other sound recordings and guides or scripts prepared solely for use with such recordings. Note that video recordings are classified as a type of sound recording. Computer-readable CD-ROMs are eligible for Media Mail rates while game cartridges are not eligible.
Books sent at Media Mail rates may contain no advertising other than incidental announcements of other books. As a reminder, publications authorized for Periodicals rates and catalogs are not considered to be books and therefore are not eligible for Media Mail rates.
Packaging Powders and Liquids
As a reminder, customers mailing parcels at retail and business mail acceptance units need to be aware that mailpieces containing powder or liquids may not be considered hazardous but must be properly packaged to ensure that their contents remain within the packaging. Improperly prepared packages containing powder or liquids may result in damage to other mail and disruption to mail processing operations. Nonhazardous powders must be packaged according to DMM C024.9.2 so as not to escape their containers. Nonhazardous liquids must be packaged according to DMM C010.2.4.