DMM TOC > 100 Retail Letters, Cards, Flats, and Parcels > 150 Parcel Post153 Rates and Eligibility1.0 Parcel Post Rates and Fees1.1 Rate EligibilityThere are two Parcel Post retail rate categories: Intra‑BMC and Inter‑BMC. Intra‑BMC and Inter‑BMC Parcel Post rates are calculated based on the zone to which the parcel is addressed and the weight of the parcel. Requirements for Parcel Post rates and discounts are as follows: a. Intra‑BMC rates apply to all Parcel Post that originates and destinates in the service area of the same BMC or ASF. Intra‑BMC rates also apply to Parcel Post that originates and destinates in the same state for Alaska and Hawaii and in the same territory for Puerto Rico. See Exhibit 1.1, BMC/ASF Service Areas. Nonmachinable pieces (101.3.2, Machinable Parcels, and 101.7.2, Nonmachinable Parcel Post Standards) mailed at Intra‑BMC rates are subject to a nonmachinable surcharge in addition to postage. b. Inter‑BMC rates apply to all Parcel Post that originates in the service area of a BMC or ASF or in Alaska, Hawaii, or Puerto Rico and destinates outside that area, state, or territory. Nonmachinable pieces (101.3.2, Machinable Parcels, and 101.7.2, Nonmachinable Parcel Post Standards) mailed at Inter‑BMC rates are subject to a nonmachinable surcharge in addition to postage. c. The oversized rate applies to pieces that measure over 108 inches but not more than 130 inches in combined length and girth. d. Items that weigh less than 15 pounds but measure more than 84 inches in combined length and girth are charged the rate for a 15‑pound parcel for the zone to which it is addressed. [E711.2.2] Exhibit 1.1 BMC/ASF Service Areas
1.2 Determining Single‑Piece WeightTo determine single‑piece weight in any mailing of nonidentical‑weight pieces, weigh each piece individually. To determine single‑piece weight in a mailing of identical-weight pieces, weigh a sample group of at least 10 randomly selected pieces and divide the total sample weight by the number of pieces in the sample. Express all single‑piece weights in decimal pounds rounded off to four decimal places. [P013.1.3] 1.3 Parcel Post Rate ApplicationThe Parcel Post rate is charged per pound or fraction thereof; any fraction of a pound is considered a whole pound. For example, if an item weighs 4.225 pounds, the weight (postage) increment is 5 pounds. The minimum postage rate per piece is the 1‑pound rate. [P013.5.2] 1.4 Computing Postage—Parcel Post With Permit ImprintTo compute the total postage for a mailing, for each weight increment, multiply the number of pieces by the applicable rate per piece. [P013.9.1] 1.5 Computing Postage—Parcel Post With Postage AffixedFor each piece, affix the postage for the weight increment (including any surcharges) and the zone to which the piece is addressed, as shown in 1.7 through 1.11 in Parcel Post Rates and Fees. [P013.9.2] 1.6 Pickup Fees507.5.0, Pickup Service). [R700.5.2] 1.7 Inter‑BMC/ASF Machinable Parcel PostFor barcoded discount, deduct $0.03 per parcel (50‑piece minimum). Parcels that weigh [R700.1.1] 1.8 Inter‑BMC/ASF Nonmachinable Parcel Postin 101.7.2, Nonmachinable Parcel Post Standards, must [R700.1.2] 1.9 Inter‑BMC/ASF Machinable and Nonmachinable Parcel Post RatesSee Exhibit, 1.9 Inter‑BMC/ASF Machinable and Nonmachinable Parcel Post Rates. 1.10 Local and Intra‑BMC/ASF Machinable Parcel PostRates for parcels that originate and destinate in the same BMC service area are in Exhibit, 1.12 Local and Intra‑BMC/ASF Machinable and Nonmachinable Parcel Post Rates. For barcoded discount, deduct $0.03 per parcel (50‑piece minimum). Parcels that weigRegardless of weight, a parcel that meets any of the criteria in 101.7.2 must pay the rate for a nonmachinable parcel in 1.11. [R700.1.3] 1.11 Local and Intra‑BMC/ASF Nonmachinable Parcel Post101.7.2, Nonmachinable Parcel Post Standards, must p[R700.1.4] 1.12 Local and Intra‑BMC/ASF Machinable and Nonmachinable Parcel Post RatesSee Exhibit, 1.12 Local and Intra‑BMC/ASF Machinable and Nonmachinable Parcel Post Rates. 2.0 Basic Eligibility Standards for Parcel Post2.1 Definition of Parcel PostParcel Post is a subclass of Package Services. Any Package Services matter may be mailed at Parcel Post rates. [E711.1.0] 2.2 Service ObjectivesThe USPS does not guarantee the delivery of Parcel Post within a specified time. Parcel Post might receive deferred service. The local post office can provide more information concerning delivery times within its area. [D700.1.0] 2.3 Postal InspectionParcel Post mail is not sealed against postal inspection. Regardless of physical closure, the mailing of articles at Parcel Post rates constitutes consent by the mailer to postal inspection of the contents. [E710.1.3] 2.4 Delivery and Return AddressesAll Parcel Post mail must bear a delivery address. Alternative addressing formats under 602.3.0 may be used. Each piece must bear the sender's return address. [E710.3.1] 3.0 Content Standards3.1 General Content StandardsParcel Post mail consists of mailable matter that is neither mailed or required to be mailed as First‑Class Mail nor entered as Periodicals (except as permitted under 3.2 or permitted or required under 707.7.9). [E710.1.1] 3.2 Attachments or Enclosures of Periodicals Sample CopiesSample copies of authorized and pending Periodicals publications may be enclosed or attached with merchandise sent at Parcel Post rates. Postage at Parcel Post rates is based on the combined weight of the host piece and the sample copies enclosed. 4.0 Attachments and Enclosures4.1 EnclosuresParcel Post may contain any printed matter mailable as Standard Mail, in addition to the enclosures and additions listed in 4.0. [E711.2.1] 4.2 Written AdditionsMarkings that have the character of personal correspondence require, with certain exceptions, additional postage at the First‑Class rates. The following written additions and enclosures do not require additional First‑Class postage: a. The sender's and the addressee's names, occupations, and addresses, preceded by "From" or "To," and directions for handling. b. Marks, numbers, names, or letters describing the contents. c. Words or phrases such as "Do Not Open Until Christmas" and "Happy Birthday, Mother." d. Instructions and directions for the use of the item mailed. e. A manuscript dedication or inscription not having the nature of personal correspondence. f. Marks to call attention to words or passages in the text. g. Corrections of typographical errors in printed matter. h. Manuscripts accompanying related proof sheets and corrections of proof sheets including corrections of typographical and other errors, changes in the text, insertions of new text, marginal instructions to the printer, and corrective rewrites of parts. i. Handstamped imprints, unless the added material is in itself personal or converts the original matter to a personal communication. j. Matter mailable separately as Standard Mail printed on the wrapper, envelope, tag, or label. [E710.1.4] 4.3 InvoiceAn invoice, whether it also serves as a bill, may be placed either inside a Parcel Post piece or in an envelope marked "Invoice Enclosed" and attached to the outside of the piece if the invoice relates solely to the matter with which it is mailed. The invoice may show this information: a. Names and addresses of the sender and addressee. b. Names and quantities of the articles enclosed, descriptions of each (e.g., price, tax, style, stock number, size, and quality, and, if defective, nature of defects). c. Order or file number, date of order, date and manner of shipment, shipping weight, postage paid, and initials or name of packer or checker. [E710.1.5] 4.4 Incidental First‑Class Attachments and EnclosuresIncidental First‑Class matter may be enclosed in or attached to any Parcel Post piece without payment of First‑Class postage. An incidental First‑Class attachment or enclosure must be matter that, if mailed separately, would require First‑Class postage, is closely associated with but secondary to the host piece, and is prepared so as not to interfere with postal processing. An incidental First‑Class attachment or enclosure may be a bill for the product or publication, a statement of account for past products or publications, or a personal message or greeting included with a product, publication, or parcel. Postage at the Parcel Post rate for the host piece is based on the combined weight of the host piece and the incidental First‑Class attachment or enclosure. [E710.1.6] Exhibit 1.9 Inter‑BMC/ASF Machinable and Nonmachinable Parcel Post Rates | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||