ARCHIVED QSG - JUL 17, 2007
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Quick Service Guide 330a

Discount Flats

First-Class Mail Nonautomation Flats

July 2007
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Physical Standards (301)

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Maximum weight: 13 ounces.

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

Rates and Fees (333.1.0)

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Weight Not Over (ounces)
Presorted1
Weight Not Over (ounces)
Presorted1
1
$0.699
8
$1.889
2
0.869
9
2.059
3
1.039
10
2.229
4
1.209
11
2.399
5
1.379
12
2.569
6
1.549
13
2.739
7
1.719
   
1Flat-size pieces not meeting the physical standards in 301.1.3 and 301.1.4 must be prepared as parcels and pay parcel rates.

Annual $175.00 presort mailing fee.

Content (333.2.0)

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First-Class Mail is required for personal correspondence, handwritten or typewritten material, and bills or statements of account. It may also be used for any mailable item, including advertisements and lightweight merchandise.

Eligibility Standards (333.3.0)

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Mailings of 500 or more addressed pieces, sorted and marked as described below. All pieces must fit within flat-size processing category (301).

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

Addresses on all pieces must be updated within 185 days before mailing through a USPS-approved address update tool (e.g., ACS, NCOALink, FASTforward, or the appropriate ancillary service endorsement under 507.1.0). For an overview of the First-Class Mail Move Update standards, see Quick Service Guide 230a.

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

Pieces that are rigid, nonrectangular, or not uniformly thick must be prepared as parcels and pay parcel rates (433.1.3).

Mailers can apply Repositionable Notes for an additional charge of $0.005. See 709.3.0.

Postage Payment and Documentation (334)

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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: Form 3600-R, Form 3600-EZ, 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 (335)

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Marking on each piece in the postage area (302.2.0): "Presorted (or PRSRT) First-Class."

See page two for preparation and labeling.

Use 2-inch tray labels (335.4.0).

Flat trays capped (green side up) and secured with two straps (335.3.0).

Any mailing job that contains bundles of Presorted flats and bundles of automation flats must be co-trayed using 705.9.1.

Enter and Deposit (336)

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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 Traying Sequence (335.5.0)
5-Digit
Bundles: Required, pieces must be bundled if 10 or more pieces to same 5-digit ZIP Code; fewer than 10 pieces in a bundle not permitted. Bundling not required if sufficient quanitity to fill a 5-digit tray.
Labels: Red Label 5 or optional endorsement line (OEL).
3-Digit
Bundles: Required, pieces must be bundled if 10 or more pieces to same 3-digit ZIP Code prefix; fewer than 10 pieces in a bundle not permitted.1
Labels: Green Label 3 or OEL.
ADC
Bundles: Required, pieces must be bundled if 10 or more pieces to same ADC (see L004); fewer than 10 pieces in a bundle not permitted.1
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 describes the packaging, labeling, and sortation standards for First-Class Mail Nonautomated Flats as described in the text.

Trays: Required, full trays only to same 5-digit ZIP Code; bundling not required if sufficient quantities to fill a 5-digit tray; less-than-full trays not permitted.
Labels: For Line 1, use city, state, and 5-digit ZIP Code on mail.
Rate: Presorted
Trays: Required, full trays only for bundles to same 3-digit ZIP Code prefix; less-than-full trays not permitted. (Exception: One less-than-full tray must be prepared for any remaining bundles for each origin 3-digit ZIP Code prefix).
Labels: For Line 1, use L002, Column A, for destination facility.
Rate: Presorted
Trays: Required, full trays only for bundles to same ADC (see L004); less-than-full trays not permitted.
Labels: For Line 1, use L004, Column B, for destination facility.
Rate: Presorted
Trays: Required for any remaining bundles placed in mixed ADC trays; only one less-than-full tray permitted.
Labels: For Line 1, use L201. For mail originating in 3-digit ZIP Codes in Column A, use "MXD" followed by city/state/3-digit ZIP Code in Column C.
Rate: Presorted
For flats, a full tray is defined as one that contains at least a single stack of pieces lying flat that reaches bottom of handholds, but no more than can be contained in tray with lid secured in place with two straps. When possible, pieces must be placed in two stacks to optimize tray use. Total weight of tray must not exceed 70 pounds.
1Bundling not required if sufficient quantity to fill a tray and none of the mail in the tray would have been more finely sorted if bundled (345.2.5).

 

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ARCHIVED QSG - JUL 17, 2007
ARCHIVED QSG - JUL 17, 2007