Flats Sequencing Strategy Web Page

Check out our Flats Sequencing Strategy Web page at ribbs.usps.gov. You’ll find all of our presentations, resources and a complete list of frequently asked questions related to the flats vision and the new Flats Sequencing System (FSS). Included is a scripted presentation and fact sheets on the new address standards for commercial flat-size mail.

We will update the page with new information and materials as they become available.

From the RIBBS homepage, just click Flats Sequencing Strategy — All Things FSS in the center of the page.

FIND AND PAY FOR A PO BOX ONLINE

It’s a quick click to manage your PO Boxes online.

Customers can find, apply for and rent an available PO Box by going to usps.com/poboxes.

“Convenient products and services, easily accessible at times that fit our customers’ active, busy lifestyles. PO Boxes Online is one more way the Postal Service is responding to the needs of consumers and business owners,” says David Shoenfeld, senior vice president of Mailing Services.

MAIL VOLUME DECLINES

As the current economic climate continues to contribute to a decrease in mail volume — and with no reversal in the trend in sight — the Postal Service expects to end the current fiscal year with a volume decline of 9 billion pieces.

The end-of-year financial results will be released in November.

Postmaster General John Potter says the magnitude of the loss in mail requires the Postal Service to take steps now to shore up its business, which it is doing by reducing work hours.

“While we deal with the economic challenges, customers and service to our customers will always be number one on our agenda, it is why we exist, it is our franchise,” said Potter.

New U.S. Census Bureau Regulations for International Packages

In the Sept. 25 Postal Bulletin we published new U.S. Census Bureau regulations for packages destined outside the United States. The new regulations affect all customers who ship international packages.

Effective Sept. 30, customers must display an alphanumeric code on their customs form when package contents are valued at more than $2,500 (per Schedule B Export Codes) or require an export license under U.S. law. The alphanumeric code indicates that the customer or authorized agent filed export information through the Census Bureau’s Automated Export System (AES) or AESDirect website at aesdirect.gov prior to mailing. Export information filed on a printed commerce form 7525-V, Shipper’s Export Declaration (SED), is no longer acceptable.

For help with electronic filing, please refer to the Census Bureau’s website at census.gov/foreign-trade/aes or call 1-800-549-0595.

The Postal Service cannot file on behalf of customers.

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News for Mailing Professionals

More than 31 million ballots are expected to be mailed this fall.