ARCHIVED QSG - MAY 14, 2007
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Quick Service Guide 340a

Discount Flats

Standard Mail Nonautomation Flats

May 2007
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Related QSG

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703, Standard Mail Nonprofit Eligibility

Physical Standards (301)

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Maximum weight: less than 16 ounces.

For an overview of the physical standards for discount flats, see Quick Service Guide 301.

Rates and Fees (343.1.0)

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For pieces weighing 3.3 ounces (0.2063 pound) or less:
Regular1
Nonprofit1
5-Digit
$0.363
$0.237
3-Digit
0.427
0.301
ADC
0.461
0.335
Mixed ADC
0.515
0.389
For pieces weighing more than 3.3 ounces (0.2063 pound):
Per piece rates:
   
5-Digit
$0.213
$0.111
3-Digit
0.277
0.175
ADC
0.311
0.209
Mixed ADC
0.365
0.263
PLUS per pound rates:
0.739
0.622
1Flat-size pieces not meeting the pysical standards in 301.1.3 through 301.1.5 must be prepared as parcels or Not Flat-Machinable pieces and pay parcel or Not Flat-Machinable rates

Destination discounts apply to mail prepared as prescribed by USPS and addressed for delivery within service area of destination BMC/ASF or SCF (346.2.0).

Annual $175.00 presort mailing fee.

Content (343.2.0)

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Flats containing mailable items not required to be sent using First-Class Mail can be sent using Standard Mail. Standard Mail is typically used for advertisements, flyers, and catalogs. Additional content restrictions must be met for authorized nonprofit mailers (703.1.0).

Eligibility Standards (343.3.0)

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Mailings of 200 or more addressed pieces (or 50 pounds of addressed pieces), sorted and marked as described below. All pieces must meet the physical standards for flats (301). Pieces are eligible if not required to be mailed at First-Class Mail rates or not eligible for Periodicals rates. Nonprofit rates require specific authorization (703.1.0).

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

A certified process (233.3.6.2) must be used within 12 months before mailing to ensure accuracy of 5-digit ZIP Codes.

Rigid, nonrectangular, and pieces that are not uniformly thick must be prepared as parcels or Not Flat-Machinable pieces and pay parcel or Not Flat-Machinable rates (343.3.2.1).

Mailers can apply Repositionable Notes for an additional charge of $0.015. See 709.5.0.

Postage Payment and Documentation (344)

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Precanceled stamp (604.3.0), meter (604.4.0), or permit imprint (604.5.0).

Additional standards apply to mailings of nonidentical-weight pieces.

Documentation:

  • Postage statement:
  • Regular: Form 3602-R, Form 3602-EZ, or approved facsimile.
  • Nonprofit: Form 3602-N, Form 3602-NZ, or approved facsimile.
  • 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).

Mail Preparation (345)

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Marking on each piece in the postage area (302.2.0):

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

See reverse for preparation and labeling.

Palletization is preferred, see Quick Service Guide 705d.

Any mailing job that contains bundles of Presorted flats and bundles of automation flats must be co-sacked using 705.9.3.

Enter and Deposit (346)

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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.

Bundling and Sacking Sequence (345.5.0)
5-Digit/Scheme1
Bundles: Scheme bundles required for 5-digit ZIP Codes in L007. Required with 15 pieces for mailings containing only pieces weighing 5 ounces or less. Required with 10 pieces for mailings containing any pieces weighing more than 5 ounces. Fewer pieces in a bundle not permitted.
Labels: Red Label 5 or optional endorsement line (OEL).
3-Digit/Scheme1
Bundles: Scheme bundles required for 3-digit ZIP Codes in L008. Required with 10 or more pieces to same 3-digit/scheme; fewer than 10 pieces in a bundle not permitted.
Labels: Green Label 3 or OEL.
ADC
Bundles: Required with 10 or more pieces to same ADC (see L004); fewer than 10 pieces in a bundle not permitted.
Labels: Pink Label A or OEL.
Mixed ADC
Bundles: Any remaining pieces must be bundled in mixed ADC bundles.
Labels: Tan Label X or OEL.

This graphic shows the Packaging and Sacking Sequence for Standard Mail Nonautomation Flats as described in the text.

5-Digit/Scheme2
Sacks: Required when there are 125 pieces or 15 pounds to the same 5-digit/scheme; smaller volume not permitted.3
Labels: Line 1: For 5-digit scheme sacks, use L007, Column B. For 5-digit sacks, use city, state, and 5-digit ZIP Code on mail.
Line 2: For 5-digit scheme sacks, use "STD FLT 5D SCH NON BC." For 5-digit sacks, use "STD FLTS 5D NON BC."
Rate: 5-Digit
3-Digit
Sacks: Required when there are 125 pieces or 15 pounds; smaller volume not permitted.
Optional: After all full sacks are prepared, mailers may make one less-than-full sack for any remaining bundles for each origin 3-digit ZIP Code prefix of SCF serving post office where mail is verified.
Labels: For Line 1, use L002, Column A, for destination facility.
Rate: 3-Digit or ADC4
ADC
Sacks: Required when there are 125 pieces or 15 pounds; smaller volume not permitted.
Labels: For Line 1, use L004, Column B for destination facility.
Rate: ADC
Mixed ADC
Sacks: Any remaining bundles placed in mixed ADC sacks.
Labels: For Line 1, use L009, Column B.
Rate: Mixed ADC
Rates are based on sack level.
1Pieces meeting the automation-compatibility standards in 301.3.0 must be prepared in 5-digit scheme and 3-digit scheme bundles. Mailers must prepare all possible 5-digit scheme bundles and 5-digit scheme sacks before preparing 5-digit bundles and 5-digit sacks. All possible 3-digit scheme bundles must be prepared before preparing 3-digit bundles and 3-digit sacks.
2For 5-digit scheme sacks, use "STD FLT 5D SCH NON BC," for 5-digit sacks, use "STD FLTS 5D NON BC."
3 For nonidentical-weight pieces, see 345.5.5b.
4ADC rate for any 3-digit sack for origin SCF not meeting 125-piece or 15-pound minimum.

 

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ARCHIVED QSG - MAY 14, 2007
ARCHIVED QSG - MAY 14, 2007