Quick Service Guide 470
Discount Parcels
Media Mail Machinable Parcels

January 2006
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Physical Standards (401)

Minimum weight: 6 ounces.

Maximum weight: 35 pounds (25 pounds for books and other printed matter).

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

Rates and Fees (473.1)

For heavier pieces, see 473.1.

Barcoded discount: $0.03 per piece: available for Presorted Basic rate machinable parcels (473.3) that bear a correct barcode under 708.5. Does not apply to pieces mailed at the Presorted 5-digit rate.

Annual presort mailing fee: $160.00.

Content (473.2)

Generally used for books (at least eight pages), film (16 mm or narrower), printed music, printed test materials, video and sound recordings, play scripts, printed educational charts, loose-leaf pages and binders consisting of medical information, and computer-readable media. Books may contain no advertising other than incidental announcements of other books.

Eligibility Standards (473.3)

Mailings of 300 or more addressed pieces sorted and marked as described below. Rates based on weight and level of presort.

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 and return addresses with correct ZIP Code or ZIP+4 code.

Mailing items with no ancillary service endorsement obligates the mailer to pay any applicable forwarding and return postage charges at the single-piece rate (507.1.5.4).

Postage Payment and Documentation (474)

Meter (604.4) or permit imprint (604.5).

Postage statement: Form 3605-R or approved facsimile.

Mail Preparation (475)

Mark each piece "Presorted" or "PRSRT" and "Media Mail" in the postage area. For optional marking locations, see 402.2.2.5.

For preparation and labeling, see reverse.

Enter and Deposit (476)

All meter or permit imprint: generally, at post office where permit or meter license is held.

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.

 

Sacking Sequence (475.5) 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: Optional but required for 5-Digit rate eligibility. Minimum 10 addressed pieces, 20 pounds, or 1,000 cubic inches. 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, 20 pounds, or 1,000 cubic inches. 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.

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