September 11, 2008

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

Bound Printed Matter

We limited postage payment to permit imprint for all Bound Printed Matter mailings, regardless of volume. We made this change in chapters 363, 364, 365, 366, 463, 464, 465, 466, and 604.

Nonprofit Standard Mail Authorization

We revised 703.1.0 to reflect changes in the application and approval process for Nonprofit Standard Mail privileges. Organizations can now use a single authorization to enter mail at any PostalOne! location throughout the country.

Waiver of Signature

We revised the waiver of signature standards for Express Mail and return receipt for merchandise in 113.4.1, 115.2.2, 413.4.1, 415.2.2, and 503.8.3.2. The new standards allow delivery without first attempting to obtain a signature from the addressee. The sender agrees to accept a delivery time and date scan as a valid record of delivery.

Express Mail and Priority Mail Open and Distribute

We revised 705.5.0 to allow customers to use an Express Mail flat-rate envelope or a Priority Mail flat-rate box or envelope for Open and Distribute shipments to a destination delivery unit. This increases ease of use by providing customers an open and distribute option whose price does not vary by distance or weight.

Presort Bundles on Pallets

We revised 705.8.5.6 to require mailers to place presort bundles on pallets with the addresses facing up. This orientation helps us verify that mail is placed on the correct pallet and enhances manual and automated bundle distribution.

Our next scheduled DMM update is October 9.