November DMM Update

Postal Explorer® (pe.usps.com) is your source for up-to-date mailing standards. The Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) is fully searchable on Postal Explorer and features fly-out menus, cross-reference links, and an extensive subject index. Yesterday, we updated our mailing standards to include the following changes:

Listing of USPS-Approved Adult Fowl Mailing Containers

We revised 601.9.3.4 to add a reference for a new listing of USPS-approved container vendors for the mailing of adult fowl and other approved birds.

Centralization of Move Update and ZIP Code Accuracy Standards

We revised 233.3.0, 243.3.0, 333.3.0, 343.3.0, 363.4.0, 433.3.0, 443.3.0, and 463.4.0 to consolidate and centralize Move Update and ZIP Code accuracy standards into new sections 602.5.0 and 602.6.0.

Post Office (PO) Box Fee Groups for Merged Locations

We revised 508.4.0 to allow Post Office Box (PO Box) fee groups to be merged into a single location due to Post Office mergers and to have the ability to change a fee group more than one higher or lower level at a time in limited circumstances.

Suspension of Periodicals Privileges

We revised 707.8.3.4 to amend the authority for noncompliance from the postmaster to the Pricing and Classification Service Center (PCSC) when a publisher does not file PS Form 3526, Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation, or publish the information provided on the form.

USPS Return Services

We revised 126.1.0, 136.1.0, 156.1.0 and 705.24.0 to introduce new options designed for the return of merchandise; and to add a new subchapter 505 to consolidate all other USPS return service standards.

Reassignment of ZIP Codes Between NDCs and ASFs: Revision to Destination Entry Exhibits

We revised 246, 346, 366, 446, 453, and 466 to change the exhibits for destination network distribution center (DNDC) eligibility to reflect the reassignment of certain 3-digit ZIP Code ranges.

Mailing Firearms—Clarification

We revised 601.12.1 through 601.12.3 to clarify the standards surrounding the mailability of firearms.

Our next scheduledDMMupdate is January 22.

Domestic and International Mailing — Price Change

Today the Federal Register published two of our notices on the proposed Mailing Services price change.

On October 18, we filed notices of a Market Dominant Price Adjustment for both domestic and international Mailing Services with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC), to be effective on January 22, 2012.

New Standards for Domestic Mailing Services –This proposed rule contains revisions to the DMM® to accompany the price changes, including several mail classification changes, modifications to mailpiece characteristics, and changes in classification terminology.

International Mail: Proposed Product Rate and Fee Changes – This proposed rule contains revisions to the IMM®, including price changes to First-Class Mail International® and international extra services.

The proposed rules are now available on the Postal Explorer® website at pe.usps.com by clicking on “Federal Register Notices” in the left frame.

Customers are encouraged to comment on or before November 23, 2011. Final rules will be published shortly after the comment period ends.

Comment Period Reminder – Proposal to Revise Service Standards for First-Class Mail, Periodicals, and Standard Mail

The Federal Register advance notice of federal rule making, highlighted in an earlier communication from Susan LaChance, USPS® Vice President Consumer & Industry Affairs, would revise service standards, eliminating the expectation of overnight service for First-Class Mail and Periodicals, narrowing the two-day delivery range, and enlarging the three-day delivery range. A major effect of the proposal would be to facilitate a significant consolidation of the Postal Service’s processing and transportation networks.

The comment period closes on October 21. Please send any comments to the special email address created for the mailing industry: industryfeedback@usps.gov.