Home > About USPS & News > Forms & Publications > Postal Periodicals & Publications > MailPro  > March/April 2007

MailPro
News for Mailing Professionals

Express Mail still includes merchandise insurance against loss, damage or rifling up to a maximum liability of $100.

rate, making Express Mail a better value for mailers of lightweight documents. The new "Post Office to Addressee" 1-pound rate is $19.50. Previously, those pieces paid the 2-pound rate.

What is the new price for the Express Mail Flat Rate Envelope?

The price for the Express Mail Flat Rate Envelope continues to be the same as the 1/2-pound rate. The Post Office to Addressee price is $16.25.

Is insurance still included in the base price for Express Mail?

Yes, merchandise insurance is provided against loss, damage or rifling up to a maximum liability of $100. Additional insurance may be purchased, at the mailer's option.

Does dimensional-weight pricing apply to Express Mail shipments?

No.

Standard Mail

What are the major changes to Standard Mail?

Separate price structures for machinable and nonmachinable letters, four separate presort and price tiers for flats, separate price structures for irregular and machinable parcels (including a new DDU-entry price) and the creation of the Not Flat-Machinable or NFM category.

Is there a higher nonmachinable surcharge for letters?

The nonmachinable surcharge for Standard Mail letters is discontinued and replaced with separate nonmachinable prices for letters that do not meet the aspect ratio or that have any nonmachinable characteristics.

Has the maximum weight for automation letters increased?

No. The maximum weight for automation-rate letters (with the barcode in the address block and prepared in a sealed envelope) remains 3.5 ounces.

Are there any changes to the requirements for self-mailers and booklets prepared as automation
letters?

No.

Does the rate structure and related mail preparation standards for automation letters change?

Aside from the elimination of automation basic enhanced carrier route rates, there are no changes to the automation letters rate structure or the existing 150-piece minimums associated with the optional 5-digit, 3-digit and AADC rates.

Have any Enhanced Carrier Route (ECR) categories been eliminated?

The automation basic rate for letters is eliminated, as well as the destination delivery unit (DDU)-entry rate for ECR letters. Due to changes in our automated processing, DDU-entry of ECR letters is no longer advantageous.

Why have the 3/5 and basic rates for machinable letters been changed to AADC and mixed AADC rates?

This change establishes letter rates that parallel corresponding presort levels. Machinable letters can be processed and barcoded on USPS automation at the origin facility. Therefore, with the exception of optional origin/entry 3-digit trays, preparation by the mailer to finer sortation levels is unnecessary.

Why were the 3/5 and basic rates for flats split into separate 5-digit, 3-digit, ADC and mixed ADC rates?

We created rates for flats that parallel the presort levels and better reflect worksharing efforts. These changes apply to both automation- and nonautomation- rate flats.

What are the minimum piece requirements for automation and nonautomation flats 5-digit and 3-digit rate categories?

We did not change the bundle and sacking requirements, including the minimums. For mail prepared on pallets and for automation-rate flats prepared in sacks, pieces prepared in a 5-digit scheme/5-digit bundle would get the 5-digit rate. Likewise, pieces prepared in a 3-digit scheme/3-digit bundle would get the 3-digit rate. For nonautomation flats prepared in sacks, the rates continue to be based on the level of the sack in which the bundles are placed.