DMM TOC > 500 Additional Mailing Services507 Mailer Services1.0 Treatment of Mail1.1 Nondelivery of MailMail can be undeliverable for these reasons: b. Incomplete, illegible, or incorrect address. c. Addressee not at address (unknown, moved, or deceased). e. Mail refused by the addressee at time of delivery. f. Mail refused by the addressee after delivery when permitted. g. Minimum criteria for mailability not met. 1.2 USPS Address Adjustments1.2.1 Types of AdjustmentsMail can be undeliverable because of USPS adjustments such as the following: c. Conversion from rural-style addresses (rural route and box number or highway contract route and box number) to city-style addresses (house number and street name). d. Realignment of rural or highway contract routes. e. Conversion from rural or highway contract service to city delivery service. g. Consolidation of post offices or adjustment of delivery districts. 1.2.2 ChargesFor 3 years after the date when the new address information appears in Address Information System (AIS) products, a mailer who regularly sends bulk mailings into an area affected by USPS adjustments is not charged for requested corrections to galley lists when such corrections relate to those adjustments. 1.2.3 DisposalMail that is undeliverable because of USPS adjustments is redirected and delivered to the destination without an additional postage charge as follows: a. For an adjustment under 1.2.1a through 1.2.1c, for 1 year from the date when the new address appears in the AIS bimonthly products released in February, April, June, August, October, and December. b. For an adjustment under 1.2.1d through 1.2.1g, for 1 year from the end of the month in which the adjustment occurs. c. For mail bearing the simplified address "Rural Route Box Customer," "Highway Contract Route Box Customer," or "Post Office Box Customer," either for 90 days or until the next June 30, whichever is later. 1.2.4 RecordsRecords of address changes caused by USPS adjustments are kept by the local post office for 3 years. 1.3 Directory ServiceUSPS letter carrier offices give directory service to the types of mail listed below that have an insufficient address or cannot be delivered at the address given (the USPS does not compile a directory of any kind): a. Mail with extra services (certified, COD, registered, special handling). b. Foreign, except circulars. (Foreign mail received in quantities with letter-class postage but the general characteristics of circular mail is not given directory service.) c. Mail from overseas Armed Forces. d. Parcels mailed at any Package Services rate or endorsed by the mailer. g. Express Mail Next Day Service (Post Office to Addressee only). 1.4 Basic Treatment1.4.1 GeneralMail that is undeliverable as addressed is forwarded, returned to the sender, or treated as dead mail, as authorized for the particular class of mail. Undeliverable-as-addressed mail is endorsed by the USPS with the reason for nondelivery as shown in Exhibit 1.4.1 USPS Endorsements for Mail Undeliverable as Addressed. All nonmailable pieces are returned to the sender. Exhibit 1.4.1 USPS Endorsements for Mail Undeliverable as Addressed
1.4.2 Official MailOfficial mail is treated the same as mail for the general public. All fees and services must be paid or collected on delivery of mail or address correction notices. 1.4.3 Mailer EndorsementA mailer endorsement is used to request forwarding, return, or address correction service. This endorsement (and other marking) must be prepared under 102, 202, 302, or 402. The endorsements authorized for each class of mail and the required wording are listed in the charts according to class of mail. 1.4.4 OrderThe information in the charts in this unit is associated with a customer's change- of-address order. Information on temporary changes of address is not provided. 1.4.5 Extra ServicesMail with extra services is treated according to the charts for each class of mail in 1.5, except that: a. Undeliverable-as-addressed Certified Mail is treated as First-Class Mail. b. All insured First-Class Mail is forwarded and returned at no additional cost. All insured Standard Mail and Package Services is forwarded or returned. c. Parcels with special handling that are undeliverable as originally addressed and forwarded to the addressee continue to receive special handling service without an additional special handling fee. d. Undeliverable-as-addressed return receipt for merchandise mail receives the treatment appropriate for the class of mail of the host piece. e. All Registered Mail items are treated as registered while they are being forwarded or returned. 1.4.6 Metered PiecesMail paid by postage meter that does not have a delivery address and a return address is returned to the post office of mailing. The reason for nondelivery is attached but the address correction fee is not charged. The piece is returned to the meter licensee upon payment of the applicable return postage. 1.5 Treatment for Ancillary Services by Class of Mail1.5.1 First-Class Mail and Priority MailUndeliverable-as-addressed (UAA) First-Class Mail (including stamped cards and postcards) and Priority Mail are treated as described in Exhibit 1.5.1, with these additional conditions: a. First-Class Mail and Priority Mail cards and unregistered letters that do not appear to contain merchandise and do not bear "Return Service Requested" or "Change Service Requested" (Option 1 only) may be forwarded to international addresses. b. Alternative addressing formats under 602.3.0 may not be used on mail with any ancillary service endorsement or mail with any extra service. Forwarding service is not provided for such mail. Undeliverable First-Class Mail with any alternative addressing format is returned with the reason for nondelivery attached only if the address is incorrect or incomplete or the mail is undeliverable for another reason as shown in Exhibit 1.4.1 USPS Endorsements for Mail Undeliverable as Addressed. c. The Priority Mail portion of a Priority Mail drop shipment receives the forwarding, return, and address correction services described in Exhibit 1.5.1. The mail enclosed within the drop shipment receives the services appropriate for its class. d. First-Class Mail or Priority Mail bearing Standard Mail markings and endorsements permitted by 202 for letters, 302 for flats, and 402 for parcels and 244.5.1 for letters, 344.5.1 for flats, and 444.4.1 for parcels receives forwarding, return, and address correction services for Standard Mail under 1.5.3. e. "Change Service Requested" is not permitted for the following: 1. Priority Mail, other than Priority Mail containing perishable matter under 601.9.0 (except for live animals). 2. First-Class Mail or Priority Mail containing hazardous materials under 601.10.0. 3. First-Class Mail or Priority Mail with an extra service other than Delivery Confirmation or Signature Confirmation. f. Address Change Service (ACS) as described in 3.0 is available for First-Class Mail and Priority Mail displaying the appropriate ACS participant code for an authorized ACS participant in conjunction with a permitted ancillary service endorsement. Mailers participating in OneCode ACS under 3.2.6 may print an Intelligent Mail barcode on First-Class Mail automation-rate letters instead of a participant code and endorsement. The only endorsements permitted for use on valid First-Class Mail and Priority Mail ACS pieces are "Address Service Requested" and "Change Service Requested" subject to the following: 1. "Address Service Requested" (Option 1) is valid for use on all mailpieces, including ACS participating pieces. "Address Service Requested" (Option 2) is valid for use only on ACS participating pieces. 2. "Change Service Requested" (Options 1 and 2) are valid for use only on ACS participating pieces. 3. The words "Option 1" or "Option 2" must not be part of the "Address Service Requested" or "Change Service Requested" endorsement on mailpieces. 4. Participating ACS mailers are limited to selecting only one of the two options available for "Address Service Requested" and one of the two options available for "Change Service Requested." The option(s) selected along with the mailer's ACS participant code will be programmed at the CFS unit to facilitate processing of valid ACS pieces within the conditions that apply to ACS. Exhibit 1.5.1 Treatment of Undeliverable First-Class Mail and Priority Mail
1.5.2 PeriodicalsUndeliverable-as-addressed (UAA) Periodicals publications (including publications pending Periodicals authorization) are treated as described in Exhibit 1.5.2, with these additional conditions: a. Periodicals matter is forwarded only to domestic addresses. b. Publications with an alternative addressing format under 602.3.0 are delivered to the address when possible. Forwarding service is not provided for such mail. Periodicals publishers are notified only when mailpieces with the occupant or exceptional address formats are undeliverable for solely address-related reasons. c. When a change of address is filed, copies of Periodicals publications bearing the old address are forwarded to the new address even if the copies show the sender's request for return. d. Address correction service is mandatory for all Periodicals publications, and the address correction service fee must be paid for each notice issued. e. Address correction service (including Address Change Service (ACS)) is provided for the first issue after 60 days for all publications, unless copies are to be returned at the publisher's request. ACS participants may receive the change notice before day 60, if so requested. Copies received after the address correction notice is mailed are disposed of by the USPS. When copies of the publication cannot be forwarded, the address correction notice is prepared for the first undeliverable issue of the publication received. Forms 3579 are mailed to publishers at least once a week. f. The publisher may request the return of copies of undelivered Periodicals by printing the endorsement "Address Service Requested" on the envelopes or wrappers, or on one of the outside covers of unwrapped copies, immediately preceded by the sender's name, address, and ZIP+4 or 5-digit ZIP Code. This endorsement obligates the publisher to pay return postage. Each returned piece is charged the single-piece First-Class Mail rate for the weight and shape of the piece, and the nonmachinable surcharge if applicable, or the Priority Mail rate for the weight and destination of the piece. When the address correction is provided incidental to the return of the piece, there is no charge for the correction. g. A publisher of Periodicals publications may request a refund of the fees paid for duplicate address correction notices on Forms 3579 provided by the USPS if the customer submitted a change-of-address order and the first and duplicate notices are provided on magnetic tape by ACS or on printed copy by a Computerized Forwarding System (CFS) unit. The refund request must be supported by documentation showing the number of duplicate notices received. The USPS does not process refunds for duplicate notices if: 1. The customer did not submit a change-of-address order. 2. The original and duplicate notices are not provided both by ACS or both by CFS. 3. The publisher does not submit documentation to support the refund amount. Exhibit 1.5.2 Treatment of Undeliverable Periodicals
1.5.3 Standard MailUndeliverable-as-addressed (UAA) Standard Mail is treated as described in Exhibit 1.5.3a and Exhibit 1.5.3k, with these additional conditions: a. Standard Mail is forwarded only to domestic addresses. Exhibit 1.5.3a Treatment of Undeliverable Standard Mail
b. The exceptional address format under 602.3.0 may not be used on mail with any ancillary service endorsement or mail with any extra service. Forwarding service and address correction service are not provided for undeliverable Standard Mail with this address format. c. The endorsement "Change Service Requested" is not permitted for Standard Mail containing hazardous materials under 601.10.0. Standard Mail containing hazardous materials must bear the endorsement "Address Service Requested," "Forwarding Service Requested," or "Return Service Requested." d. Standard Mail can be forwarded or returned at the appropriate Media Mail or Library Mail rate if the content of the mail qualifies as Media Mail under 173, 373, or 473 or Library Mail under 183, 383, or 483 and the mail is marked "Media Mail" or "Library Mail" directly below the ancillary service endorsement. e. Mail that can qualify for Shipper Paid Forwarding under the applicable standards in 2.3.5 is forwarded or returned at the First-Class Mail single-piece rate or Priority Mail single-piece rate applicable for the weight of the piece. f. If a Standard Mail piece and any attachment to that piece are not opened by the addressee and the sender has guaranteed forwarding and return postage, the addressee may refuse delivery of the piece and have it returned to the sender without affixing postage. If a Standard Mail piece or any attachment to that piece is opened by the addressee, the addressee must affix the required postage to return the piece to the sender. g. Standard Mail with bulk insurance or return receipt for merchandise must be endorsed "Address Service Requested," "Forwarding Service Requested," or "Return Service Requested." Standard Mail with Delivery Confirmation must be endorsed "Address Service Requested," "Forwarding Service Requested," "Return Service Requested," or "Change Service Requested." h. When a large volume of identical-weight pieces originates from a single mailer and is endorsed "Return Service Requested," the USPS may weigh a sample of at least 25 pieces and divide that weight by the number of pieces to determine the weight of a single piece. After the per piece weight is determined, all the pieces are weighed in bulk and divided by the per piece weight to determine the total number of pieces. The return postage is calculated using these numbers. Pieces of identical weight counted in this manner are returned to the sender with the new address or the reason for nondelivery endorsed on the piece. i. A weighted fee is charged when an unforwardable or undeliverable piece is returned to the sender and the piece is endorsed "Address Service Requested" or "Forwarding Service Requested." The weighted fee is the First-Class Mail or Priority Mail single-piece rate and, if applicable, the nonmachinable surcharge (see 123.1.0 or 133.1.0), multiplied by 2.472 and rounded up to the next whole cent (if the computation yields a fraction of a cent). The weighted fee is computed (and rounded if necessary) for each piece individually. Using "Address Service Requested" or "Forwarding Service Requested" obligates the sender to pay the weighted fee on all returned pieces. j. A returned piece endorsed "Return Service Requested" is charged the single-piece First-Class Mail rate for the weight and shape of the piece, and the nonmachinable surcharge if applicable, or the Priority Mail rate for the weight and destination of the piece. The appropriate First-Class Mail rate for a Not Flat-Machinable piece is the First-Class Mail parcel rate. k. Mail sent as Bulk Parcel Return Service (BPRS) under 11.0 is returned at the BPRS per piece fee if one of the endorsements includes "— BPRS" as shown in Exhibit 1.5.3k. Exhibit 1.5.3k Treatment of Undeliverable BPRS Standard Mail
l. Customized MarketMail under 705.1.0 is not eligible to use ancillary service endorsements. 1.5.4 Package ServicesUndeliverable-as-addressed (UAA) Package Services mail is treated as described in Exhibit 1.5.4, with these additional conditions: a. Package Services mail is forwarded only to domestic addresses. b. The exceptional address format under 602.3.0 may not be used on mail with any ancillary service endorsement or mail with any extra service. Forwarding service is not provided for such mail. Undeliverable Parcel Post, Media Mail, and Library Mail with this address format are returned with the reason for nondelivery attached only if the address is incorrect or incomplete or the mail is undeliverable for another reason as shown in Exhibit 1.4.1 USPS Endorsements for Mail Undeliverable as Addressed. Undeliverable Bound Printed Matter with this address format is disposed of by the USPS. c. The endorsement "Change Service Requested" is not permitted for Package Services mail containing hazardous materials under 601.10.0. d. If a Package Services piece and any attachment to that piece are not opened by the addressee and the sender has guaranteed forwarding and return postage, the addressee may refuse delivery of the piece and have it returned to the sender without affixing postage and still have other Package Services pieces forwarded to the addressee. If a Package Services piece or any attachment to that piece is opened by the addressee, the addressee must affix the required postage to return the piece to the sender. If the addressee does not want to pay forwarding postage for all Package Services mail, the postmaster of the new address must use Form 3546 to notify the postmaster of the old address to discontinue the forwarding of Package Services mail. e. Package Services mail bearing a postage meter indicia from a customer meter that is unaddressed and without a return address (undeliverable) is returned to the post office of mailing. The reason for nondelivery is attached without charging the address correction fee. The piece is returned to the meter licensee on payment of the return postage. f. Bound Printed Matter with no ancillary service endorsement and: 1. With Delivery Confirmation, with Signature Confirmation, or with no other extra service, is disposed of by USPS. 2. With an extra service other than Delivery Confirmation or Signature Confirmation is treated as though endorsed "Forwarding Service Requested." Exhibit 1.5.4 Treatment of Undeliverable Package Services Mail
1.5.5 Express MailUndeliverable-as-addressed (UAA) Express Mail is treated as described in Exhibit 1.5.5, with these additional conditions: a. Express Mail is forwarded only to domestic addresses. b. Directory service is provided for Express Mail that cannot be delivered because of an incorrect or incomplete address. c. The Express Mail portion of an Express Mail drop shipment receives the forwarding, return, and address correction services described in Exhibit 1.5.5. The mail enclosed within the drop shipment receives the services appropriate for its class. d. Undeliverable or unclaimed Express Mail is held by the USPS for 5 calendar days before it is returned to the sender at no additional postage, unless either of the following applies: 1. The mail is refused before the end of the 5 calendar days. 2. The mail is not refused and the sender has specified in the return address a longer holding period (not to exceed 30 days). The sender may also place an instruction above the return address, subject to 202.4.0, 302.3.0, or 402.3.0, directing the return of undeliverable mail after fewer than 5 calendar days. Exhibit 1.5.5 Treatment of Undeliverable Express Mail
1.6 Attachments and Enclosures1.6.1 PeriodicalsUndeliverable Periodicals (including publications pending Periodicals authorization) with a nonincidental First-Class Mail attachment or enclosure are returned at the single-piece First-Class Mail rate for the weight and shape of the piece, and the nonmachinable surcharge if applicable, or Priority Mail rate for the weight and destination of the piece. The weight of the attachment or enclosure is not included when computing the charges for return of the mailpiece. Undeliverable Periodicals (including publications pending Periodicals authorization) with an incidental First-Class Mail attachment or enclosure are treated as dead mail unless endorsed "Address Service Requested." 1.6.2 Standard MailUndeliverable, unendorsed Standard Mail with a nonincidental First-Class Mail attachment or enclosure is returned at the single-piece First-Class Mail rate for the weight and shape of the piece or Priority Mail rate for the weight and destination of the piece. The weight of the First-Class Mail attachment or enclosure is not included when computing the charges for return of the mailpiece. Undeliverable, unendorsed Standard Mail with an incidental First-Class Mail attachment or enclosure is treated as dead mail. 1.6.3 Package ServicesUndeliverable, unendorsed Package Services with a nonincidental First-Class Mail attachment or enclosure is either forwarded or returned at the single-piece Package Services rate. The weight of the First-Class attachment or enclosure is not included when computing the charges for return of the mailpiece. Undeliverable, unendorsed Package Services with incidental First-Class attachments or enclosures is returned at the single-piece Package Services rate. 1.7 Mixed Classes1.7.1 Combination With First-ClassCombination mailings of First-Class Mail with Standard Mail or Package Services are provided the forwarding and return service of Standard Mail, as appropriate: a. An undeliverable combination mailpiece, including a piece that cannot be forwarded, one part of which is First-Class Mail (other than an incidental First-Class attachment or enclosure), must be returned to the sender, subject to the charge for return according to its class. The weight of the First-Class piece is not included when computing the charge for return of the Periodicals, Standard Mail, or Package Services part. b. Items with incidental First-Class enclosures or attachments are returned according to the class of the host piece. c. An undeliverable combination mailpiece that is not returnable to the sender, of which one part is First-Class Mail, is given the treatment that applies to the class of the other part. 1.7.2 Other CombinationsPieces of Periodicals, Standard Mail, or Package Services with other classes of mail attached or enclosed (other than incidental First-Class attachments or enclosures) must be forwarded as specified for the host piece by the applicable standards. Neither the enclosures nor the host piece are provided the forwarding service of First-Class Mail. 1.7.3 Host PieceAny undeliverable combination mailpiece that does not include First-Class matter is given the treatment applicable to the host piece. 1.7.4 ParcelA combination parcel containing Media Mail and Bound Printed Matter is charged postage at the Parcel Post Inter-BMC rate when forwarded or returned. 1.8 Returning Mail1.8.1 NonmailableNonmailable matter is returned to the sender immediately. 1.8.2 Refused Mail
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