ARCHIVED QSG - MAY 14, 2007
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Quick Service Guide 507d

Additional Services

Ancillary Service Endorsements

May 2007
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Overview (507.1.4)

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Ancillary service endorsements are used by mailers to request an addressee's new address and to provide the USPS with instructions on how to handle undeliverable-as-addressed pieces. The endorsements consist of one keyword: "Address," "Return," "Change," or "Forwarding," followed by the two words "Service Requested." The endorsements are the same for all classes of mail, but the treatment and cost differ by class of mail. Use of an ancillary service endorsement on a mailpiece obligates the mailer to pay any applicable charges for forwarding, return, and separate address notification charges.

General Information (102.4.2)

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Proper placement of the endorsement is required. If the endorsement cannot be seen or understood, you might not receive the service requested. A return address as presented in 602.1.6 must be used and placed in the upper left corner of the address side of the mailpiece or the upper left corner of the addressing area. If a return address is a multiple delivery address, it must show a unit designation (e.g., apartment number).

Physical Standards (102.4.3)

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An endorsement must be printed in no smaller than 8-point type, and it must stand out clearly against its background. Brilliant-colored envelopes and reverse printing are not permitted. There must be a 1/4-inch clear space around all sides of the endorsement. The endorsement and return address must read in the same direction as the delivery address.

This graphic describes Meter Reply Mail layout standards as described in the text.

Placement of Endorsement (letters, 202.4.0; flats, 302.3.0; parcels, 402.3.0)

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The endorsement must be placed in one of these four positions:

1. Directly below the return address.

2. Directly above the delivery address area (which includes the delivery address block and any related nonaddress elements such as a barcode, keyline, or optional endorsement line).

3. Directly to the left of the postage area and below or to the left of any rate marking.

4. Directly below the postage area and below any rate marking.

For a detailed listing of the endorsements, see 507.1.5.

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.

For a detailed description of USPS actions, see 507.1.5.
Mailer Endorsement
and USPS Action
Priority Mail and
First-Class Mail
Standard Mail
Package Services
Address Service Requested1
Forwarding and return. New separate address notification provided.
Months 1 through 12: mailpiece forwarded; notice of new address provided, address correction fee charged.
Months 13 through 18: mailpiece returned with new address attached.
After 18 months or if undeliverable at any time: mailpiece returned with reason for nondelivery attached.
Forwarded at no charge.
Returned at no charge.
Returned at no charge.
Forwarded at no charge.
Weighted fee charged.2
Weighted fee charged.2
Forwarded locally at no charge; forward out of town as postage due.
Return postage charged at appropriate single-piece rate.
Returned if undeliverable or if addressee refused to pay postage due. Forwarding (where attempted) and return postage charged at appropriate Package Services single-piece rate.
Return Service Requested
No forwarding, only return. New address notification provided.
Mailpiece returned with new address or reason for nondelivery attached.
No charge.
Appropriate single-piece First-Class Mail or Priority Mail rate charged.
Return postage charged at appropriate single-piece rate.
Change Service Requested1,3
No forwarding or return. New address notification provided.
Separate notice of new address or reason for nondelivery provided; mailpiece disposed of by USPS.
Manual notice: N/A.
Electronic notice: $0.06 ea.
Automated letters:
  • first two notices—$0.00 ea.
  • additional—$0.05 ea.
Manual notice: $0.50 ea.
Electronic notice: $0.25 ea.
Automated letters:
  • first two notices—$0.02 ea.
  • additional—$0.15
Manual notice: $0.50 ea.
Electronic notice: $0.25 ea.
Forwarding Service Requested
Forwarding and return. New address notification provided only with return.
Months 1 through 12: mailpiece forwarded.
Months 13 through 18: mailpiece returned with new address attached.
After 18 months or if undeliverable at any time: mailpiece returned with reason for nondelivery attached.
Forwarded at no charge
Returned at no charge.
Returned at no charge.
Forwarded at no charge.
Weighted fee charged.2
Weighted fee charged.2
Forwarded locally at no charge; forward out of town as postage due.
Return postage charged at appropriate single-piece rate.
Returned if undeliverable or if addressee refused to pay postage due. Forwarding (where attempted) and return postage charged at appropriate Package Services single-piece rate.
Temp—Return Service Requested
Piece returned with new address or reason for nondelivery attached. If temporary change of address, piece forwarded; no separate notice of temporary change of address provided.
No charge.
N/A
N/A
No Endorsement
UAA handled by class of mail.
Same as USPS action for "Forwarding Service Requested."
Mailpiece disposed of by USPS.
Same as USPS action for "Forwarding Service Requested," except Bound Printed Matter disposed of by USPS. Parcel Post, Media Mail and Library Mail with no endorsement obligates the mailer to pay any applicable forwarding and return postage charges at the Package Services single-piece rate (507.1.5.4).
1For Address Change Service with First-Class Mail and Priority Mail, see 507.1.5.1, for ACS with Standard Mail see 507.1.5.3a.
2Weighted fee is the appropriate single-piece First-Class Mail or Priority Mail rate for the piece plus the nonmachinable surcharge if it applies (101.1.2), multiplied by 2.472 and rounded up to the next whole cent. For letter-size weighted fee rates, see 243.1.6.2.
3For First-Class Mail and Priority Mail, Change Service Requested is only available with electronic Address Change Service (ACS). Only available for Priority Mail pieces containing perishable matter that bear the endorsement "Perishable." Delivery Confirmation and Signature Confirmation are the only two special services permitted with this endorsement.

 

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