June 5, 2008

 

June DMM Update

 

Postal Explorer (pe.usps.com) is your source for up-to-date mailing standards. The Domestic Mail Manual is fully searchable on Postal Explorer and features fly-out menus, cross-reference links, and an extensive subject index. Today we updated our mailing standards with the following changes:

 

New Preparation Option for Automation Letters

We revised 235.6.6 and 245.7.5 to allow mailers preparing automation First-Class Mail or Standard Mail letters to place overflow pieces in the front or back of trays at the next sort level, instead of making separate overflow trays. Overflow pieces must remain grouped by destination.

 

Confirm Service

We revised 503.13.2.3 and 13.3.1 to clarify the barcode standards for Confirm service.  We also revised 503.13.4 to reference the preshipment notification, which enables entry scans for Destination Confirm.

 

Caller Service and Reserve Caller Numbers

We revised 508.5.0 to clarify the application process and fees for Caller Service and Reserve Caller numbers. Customers who use Caller Service pick up their mail at a Post Office call window or loading dock in lieu of delivery.

 

Labeling Lists

We revised the labeling lists to reflect changes in mail processing operations.

 

Our next scheduled DMM update is July 3.

 

New Barcode Requirement for Priority Mail Open and Distribute Service

 

Today the Federal Register published our new mailing standards [PDF] | [HTML] requiring concatenated UCC/EAN Code 128 barcodes with a unique Service Type Code on all Priority Mail Open and Distribute container labels. The new standards are effective July 1, 2008. Priority Mail Open and Distribute provides an option for mailers to expedite their mail to destination postal facilities using Priority Mail service.