Quick Service Guide 440a
Discount Parcels
Standard Mail—Machinable Parcels

January 2006
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Related QSG

703, Standard Mail Nonprofit Eligibility

Physical Standards (401)

Minimum weight, irregular parcels: none.

Minimum weight, machinable parcels: 6 ounces.

Maximum weight: less than 16 ounces.

For an overview of the physical standards for discount parcels, see Quick Service Guide 401.

Rates and Fees (443.1)

Per piece rates include residual shape surcharge of $0.242 (443.4.4).

Machinable pieces weighing 6 ounces or more may be eligible for the barcode discount of $0.03.

Destination discounts apply to mail prepared as prescribed by USPS and addressed for delivery within service area of destination BMC/ASF or SCF (446).

Annual $160.00 presort mailing fee.

Content (443.2)

Pieces are eligible if not required to be mailed at First-Class rates or not authorized for Periodicals rates. Nonprofit rates require specific authorization (703.1).

Eligibility Standards (443.3)

Mailings of 200 or more addressed pieces (or 50 pounds of addressed pieces), sorted and marked as described below. Machinable parcels (401.1.5) and irregular parcels (401.1.6) must not be combined in the same mailing.

Each piece must include a complete delivery address with correct ZIP Code or ZIP+4 code.

A certified process must be used at least once a year to ensure accuracy of 5-digit ZIP Codes.

Mail prepared using an extra service must bear a return address and an ancillary service endorsement that results in the return of the mailpiece if undeliverable (443.4.6.3).

Postage Payment and Documentation (444)

Precanceled stamp (604.3), meter (604.4), or permit imprint (604.5).

Documentation:

• Postage statement:
  Regular: Form 3602-R.
  Nonprofit: Form 3602-N.
• Supporting documentation: required unless correct rate is affixed to each piece or unless each piece is of identical weight and separated by rate when presented for acceptance; documentation generated by PAVE-certified software or printed in standardized format.

Additional standards apply to mailings of nonidentical-weight pieces.

Mail Preparation (445)

Marking on each piece in the postage area (402.2):

• Regular: "Presorted Standard" or "PRSRT STD."
• Nonprofit: "Nonprofit Organization" or "NONPROFIT ORG." or "NONPROFIT."

For use of detached address labels with merchandise samples more than 5 inches wide (high) or 1/4 inch thick, or nonuniform in thickness, see 602.4.

See reverse for preparation and labeling.

Enter and Deposit (446)

Mailing entered at an acceptance point designated by USPS.

For the specific DMM standards applicable to this category of mail, consult the DMM sections referenced above and the general sections within each DMM module.

Machinable Sacking Sequence (445.5.3) 5-Digit Scheme Sacks: Optional; minimum 10 pounds, smaller volumes not permitted.1 Labels: For Line 1, use L606, Column B. 5-Digit Sacks: Optional; minimum 10 pounds, smaller volumes not permitted.1 Labels: For Line 1, use city, state, and 5-digit ZIP Code destination on mail. ASF Sacks: Optional; minimum 10 pounds, smaller volumes not permitted. Allowed only for mail deposited at an ASF to claim DBMC rates. Labels: For Line 1, use L602, Column B.2 BMC Sacks: Required; minimum 10 pounds, smaller volumes not permitted. Labels: For Line 1, use L601, Column B.2 Mixed BMC Sacks: Required: no minimum. Labels: For Line 1, "MXD" followed by the information in L601, Column B, for the BMC serving the 3-digit ZIP Code prefix of the entry post office.

1. To claim the 3/5 rate, every possible 5-digit scheme and 5-digit sack must be prepared.

2. For DBMC rate eligibility, see 446.3.

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