ARCHIVED QSG - JUN 07, 2010
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Quick Service Guide 707f

Special Standards

Periodicals Barcoded (Automation) Letters

June 7, 2010
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Related QSGs

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707a, Periodicals General Information and Eligibility

201a, Designing Letters and Cards for Automated Processing

Physical Standards (201.3.0, 707.3.0)

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Maximum weight: 3.5 ounces.

For an overview of designing letters for automated processing, see Quick Service Guide 201a.

Prices and Fees (707.1.0)

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Prices include piece charges, pound prices (advertising and nonadvertising), and applicable discounts.

In-County Prices:

In-County prices include piece prices, pound prices (DDU and other), and DDU discount.

Outside-County Prices:

Pound Prices—Advertising pounds based on destination entry and zone. Nonadvertising pounds based on destination entry and all other zones.

Piece Prices—The presort level of pieces prepared loose (no bundles) in full trays is based on the tray level. Pieces in bundles, piece price based on bundle level (six or more pieces).

Bundle Prices—Bundle prices do not apply to "loose" pieces in full trays. Bundle prices for bundles in less than full trays are based on the bundle and container level. For bundles and containers with both In-County and Outside-County pieces, mailers do not pay the bundle or container charges for carrier route, 5-digit carrier routes, and 5-digit/scheme bundles, pallets, and trays.

Container Prices—Based on the container type, container level, and entry. For mailings prepared in trays, mailers pay the container price for each tray based on container level and entry

  • For mailings prepared on pallets (705.8.0). Mailers pay the container price for each tray, and not for the pallets. The container price for each tray is based on the tray level and where the pallet is entered.
  • For trays with both In-County and Outside-County pieces, mailers do not pay the container charges for carrier route, 5-digit carrier routes, and 5-digit/scheme trays.

Destination entry prices (DDU, DSCF, DADC, and DNDC) have additional standards (707.29.0). The mail must be addressed for delivery within that facility's service area.

Ride-Along price of $0.165 available for items up to 3.3 ounces (or not more than the weight of the host publication) eligible as Standard Mail (707.15.0).

Eligibility Standards (707.4.0)

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For authorized publications whose primary purpose is transmitting information. Periodicals must be issued at least four times a year at a stated frequency from a known office of publication and be formed of printed sheets. General publications must have a legitimate list of subscribers, and Requester publications must have a legitimate list of requesters or subscribers. All pieces within each mailing must be in the same processing category. Mailings eligible for barcoded letter prices must be automation-compatible (201.3.0), delivery point barcoded (708.4.0) or Intelligent Mail barcoded (708.4.0), and sorted as described below.

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

For address standards, see 707.4.0; for barcode quality standards, see 708.4.0; and for CASS/MASS standards, see 708.3.0.

Addresses matched using CASS/MASS-certified process within 180 days before mailing.

All letter-size reply cards and envelopes (Business Reply Mail, Courtesy Reply Mail, and meter reply mail) provided as enclosures must meet the standards in 707.14.1.2.

Mailers can apply Repositionable Notes for an additional charge of $0.015 for Outside County and $0.005 for In-County. See 705.21.0.

Postage Payment and Documentation (707.16.0, 707.17.0)

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Advance deposit account(s) at the original and each additional entry Post Office, unless authorized under Centralized Postage Payment (CPP) (707.).

Documentation:

  • Postage statement: PS Form 3541, Periodicals One Issue or One Edition, or approved facsimile.
  • Supporting documentation: required by prices claimed, including marked copy. Documentation generated by PAVE-certified software or printed in standardized format.
  • PS Form 3553 for address and barcode accuracy must be retained by mailer for 1 year (708.3.5.2).

Mail Preparation (707.24.0)

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1-foot or 2-foot trays used where appropriate (e.g., when there is enough mail to fill a 2-foot tray, a 2-foot tray must be used).

Pink barcoded tray labels required (707.21.0).

Trays sleeved and strapped (707.20.0). See 707.20.1.4 for exceptions to strapping for mailings that originate and destinate in delivery area of same SCF. Strapping not required on trays placed on 5-digit, 3-digit, and SCF pallets that are secured with stretchwrap.

Enter and Deposit (707.29.0)

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Deposit only at authorized original and additional entry Post Office(s), unless authorized exceptional dispatch under 707.29.4.

Preparation

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Traying Sequence (707.24.0)
5-Digit/Scheme1
Trays: Optional, but required2 for 5-digit price. At least 150 pieces to same 5-digit ZIP Code or 5-digit scheme destination; bundling not permitted; only one overflow tray permitted per destination.
Barcoded Labels:
Line 1: For 5-digit scheme trays, use destination shown in City State Product. For 5-digit trays, use city, state, and 5-digit ZIP Code on mail.
Price: 1
3-Digit/Scheme3
Trays: Required, at least 150 pieces to same 3-digit ZIP Code or 3-digit scheme destination; bundling not permitted; only one overflow tray permitted per destination.
Exception: One less-than-full tray must be prepared for any remaining pieces for each
3-digit ZIP Code or 3-digit scheme of origin post office.
Barcoded Labels: For Line 1, use L002, Column B, for destination facility.
Price: 1
AADC4
Trays: Required, at least 150 pieces to same AADC; bundling not permitted; only one overflow tray permitted per destination. Pieces must be grouped by 3-digit ZIP Code prefix or 3-digit scheme if applicable.
Barcoded Labels:
For Line 1, use L801, Column B, for destination facility.
Price: 1
Mixed AADC5
Trays: Required, any remaining pieces placed in mixed AADC trays grouped by AADC; only one less-than-full mixed AADC tray permitted per mailing.
Barcoded Labels: For Line 1, use L011, Column B, for destination facility (for NDC/ASF entry, use L010, Column B).
Price: 1

This graphic shows the Traying Sequence for Periodicals Automation Letters as described in the text.

Bundling required for mailings consisting entirely of card-size pieces and for pieces in overflow and less-than-full trays. The maximum thickness for a bundle is 6 inches.
1For prices, see Notice 123-Price List.
2Use "NEWS" if issued weekly or more frequently.
3Use "5D BC" on 5-digit trays; use "BC 5D SCHEME" on 5-digit scheme trays.
4For news 5-digit scheme trays, use "NEWS LTR BC 5D SCHEME."
5Use "3D BC" on 3-digit trays; use "BC SCHEME" on 3-digit scheme trays and, if applicable, as shown in L002, Column B, followed by the letter "A," "B," or "C."

 

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ARCHIVED QSG - JUN 07, 2010
ARCHIVED QSG - JUN 07, 2010