Quick Service Guide 460
Discount Parcels
Bound Printed Matter—Irregular and Machinable Parcels

January 2006
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Physical Standards (401)

Minimum weight irregular parcels: none.

Minimum weight machinable parcels: 6 ounces.

Maximum weight: 15 pounds.

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

Rates and Fees (463.1)

For destination entry rates, see 463.1.3.

Presorted, Carrier Route, and destination BMC (DBMC) rates: separate per piece and per pound charges based on weight and zone. DSCF and DDU rates are not zoned. Destination entry discounts apply to mail prepared as prescribed by USPS and addressed for delivery within service area of destination BMC/ASF, SCF, or delivery unit (DDU) (366).

For barcoded discount (machinable parcels only), deduct $0.03 per piece. Barcoded discount is not available for parcels mailed at DDU, DSCF, or carrier route rates (463.3.1c).

No annual mailing fee; however, there is an annual destination entry mailing fee of $160.00.

Content (463.2)

Bound Printed Matter is typically catalogs, directories, books, and other printed material that weighs up to 15 pounds and meets specific eligibility standards in 463.2. Contents must:

• Consist of advertising, promotional, directory, or editorial material (or any combination of these).
• Be securely bound by permanent fastening.
• Consist of sheets of which at least 90% are imprinted by any process other than handwriting or typewriting with letters, characters, figures, or images (or any combination of these).
• Not have the nature of personal correspondence.
• Not be stationery (e.g., pads of blank printed forms).

Eligibility Standards (463.3)

Mailings of 300 or more pieces, sorted and marked as described below. Machinable parcels (401.1.5) and irregular parcels (401.1.6) may not be combined in the same mailing.

Each piece must include complete delivery address with correct ZIP Code or ZIP+4 code. Return address required for pieces with ancillary service endorsement or extra services.

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

For Carrier Route rate, carrier route information must be updated using CASS-certified process within 90 days before mailing (463.4).

For barcoded discount, each piece must meet the standards for machinable parcels in 401.1.5.

Destination entry discounts apply to mail prepared as prescribed by USPS and addressed for delivery within service area of destination BMC/ASF, SCF, or delivery unit (DDU) (466.2).

Postage Payment and Documentation (464)

Meter (604.4), or permit imprint (604.5).

Postage statement: Form 3605-R or approved facsimile.

Mail Preparation (465)

Rate markings (402.2):

• Presorted rate: "Bound Printed Matter" or "BPM" and either "Presorted" or "PRSRT."
• Carrier Route rate: "Bound Printed Matter" or "BPM" and "Carrier Route Presort" or "CAR-RT SORT." Mark each piece in the postage area. For optional marking locations, see 302.2.2.

Pieces must be separated by zones when presented unless either the correct postage is affixed to each piece or authorized under 705.2.

Enter and Deposit (466)

Presorted or Carrier Route and all meter or permit imprint mail, generally at post office where permit or license is held. For destination entry rates, see 466.2–466.5.

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.

Bundling and Sacking Sequences Irregular Parcels Less than 10 Pounds (465.5.2) 5-Digit Bundles: Required at 10 pieces or 10 pounds, smaller volumes not permitted. Maximum weight 20 pounds.1 Labels: Red Label 5 or optional endorsement line (OEL) (708.7).   3-Digit Bundles: Required at 10 pieces or 10 pounds, smaller volumes not permitted. Maximum weight 20 pounds. Labels: Green Label 3 or OEL. ADC Bundles: Required at 10 pieces or 10 pounds, smaller volumes not permitted. Maximum weight 20 pounds. Labels: Pink Label A or OEL. Mixed ADC Bundles: Required with no minimum. Maximum weight 20 pounds. Labels: Tan Label X or OEL. 5-Digit Scheme Sacks: Optional at 10 addressed pieces or 20 pounds, smaller volumes not permitted.2 Labels: For Line 1, use L606, Column B. For Line 2, use " PSVC IRREG 5D SCH." 5-Digit Sacks: Required at 10 addressed pieces or 20 pounds, smaller volumes not permitted. Labels: For Line 1, use city, state, and 5-digit ZIP Code on mail. For Line 2, use "PSVC IRREG 3D." 3-Digit Sacks: Required at 10 addressed pieces or 20 pounds, smaller volumes not permitted. Labels: For Line 1, use L002, Column A. For Line 2, use "PSVC IRREG 3D." SCF Sacks: Optional at 10 addressed pieces or 20 pounds, smaller volumes not permitted. Labels: For Line 1, use L005, Column B. For Line 2, use "PSVC IRREG SCF." ADC Sacks: Required at 10 addressed pieces or 20 pounds, smaller volumes not permitted. Labels: For Line 1, use L004, Column B. For Line 2, use "PSVC IRREG ADC." Mixed ADC Sacks: Required; no minimum. Labels: For Line 1, use "MXD" followed by the city, state, and 3-digit prefix for the entry post office as shown in L004, Column B. For Line 2, use "PSVC IRREG WKG."

1. Bundling not required for irregular parcels in 5-digit scheme and 5-digit sacks meeting the minimum bundle size requirements if individually wrapped or enveloped. 5-digit bundles placed in 5-digit scheme and 5-digit sacks or prepared and entered at the DDU rate may weigh a maximum of 40 pounds.

2. Sacking not required for 5-digit bundles of irregular parcels when prepared and entered at DDU rates; these bundles may be bedloaded and weigh up to 40 pounds.

Each bundle (except mixed ADC bundles) must contain at least two addressed pieces.

For sacking irregular parcels that weigh 10 pounds or more, see 465.5.3.

For palletizing irregular parcels, see 705.8.11.4.

Sacking Machinable Parcels Not Claiming DBMC Rates (465.5.4) 5-Digit Scheme Sacks: Optional; minimum 10 addressed pieces or 20 pounds, smaller volumes not permitted. Labels: For Line 1, use L606, Column B. 5-Digit Sacks: Required; minimum 10 addressed pieces or 20 pounds, smaller volumes not permitted. Labels: For Line 1, use city, state, and 5-digit ZIP Code on mail. BMC Sacks: Required; minimum 10 addressed pieces or 20 pounds, smaller volumes not permitted. Labels: For Line 1, use L601, Column B. 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.

For Bound Printed Matter machinable parcels claiming DBMC rates, see 465.5.5.

Palletizing Machinable Parcels (705.8.10.5) Optional at 250 pounds. Labels: For Line 1, use L606, Column B. For Line 2, use "PSVC MACH 5D SCH." Required at 500 pounds. Optional at 250 pounds. Labels: For Line 1, use city, state, and 5-digit ZIP Code on mail. For Line 2, use "PSVC MACH 5D." Optional at 250 pounds. Allowed only for mail deposited at an ASF to claim DBMC rates. Labels: For Line 1, use L602. For Line 2, use "PSVC MACH ASF." Required at 500 pounds. Optional at 250 pounds. Labels: For Line 1, use L601. For Line 2, use "PSVC MACH BMC." Optional at 250 pounds. Labels: For Line 1, use MXD followed by L601, Column B, for BMC serving the 3-digit ZIP Code prefix of the entry post office. For Line 2, use "PSVC MACH WKG."

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