Published Federal Register Notices & Approaching DMM Revisions

The following four Federal Register notices have been published and are now posted on the Postal Explorer® website at pe.usps.com. All of these revisions will be incorporated into the July 6^th update of the online DMM®, and the July 17 Postal Bulletin. We encourage you to check them out:

Business Reply Mail® Online Application Option — eliminates the option to apply for a Business Reply Mail permit online. The application for applying online for Qualified Business Reply Mail is also being eliminated.

Restricting the Mailing of Replica or Inert Explosive Devices — adds new standards for items that are replicas or inert explosive devices must be sent by Registered Mail™ service only.

Plant-Verified Drop Shipment (PVDS) – Nonpostal Documentation — clarifies that postal employees may, upon request, sign a bill-of-lading for a mailer’s transportation provider as a courtesy to the customer. However, PS Form 8125 is the sole source of evidence for USPS purposes of the transfer of the custody of pieces entered at the time of induction. [This article will be in the July 1 Postal Bulletin].

Treatment of Cigarettes and Smokeless Tobacco as Nonmailable Matter — implements the specific provisions of the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking (PACT) Act, which restricts the mailability of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco sent through the U.S. Postal Service®. [Effective date is June 29, 2010].

Deflection Update

The Federal Register final rule on deflection standards will be effective June 7, 2010 (see our DMM Advisory on February 17, 2010). However, the implementation of postage consequences will be deferred until October 3, 2010.

A revised Federal Register final rule notice will be available on Postal Explorer on Monday, February 22, 2010.

Eligibility for Commercial Flats Failing Deflection

Today we posted an advance copy of our Federal Register final rule, Eligibility for Commercial Flats Failing Deflection, on the Postal Explorer® website at pe.usps.com. Click on Federal Register Notices in the left frame.

The final rule, effective June 7, 2010, provides background, summary of the comments received on our prior proposal, our response to the comments, a summary of the changes, and revisions to the applicable prices for pieces that do not meet the deflection standards.

DMM Advisory

Working in collaboration with the mailing industry, the Postal Service™ conducted a three-year study of non-enveloped letter-style mailpieces processed on automated letter sorting equipment. The study included mailpieces designed to test specifications and also included examples of folded self-mailers produced by the mailing industry. A thorough analysis of the data collected during testing is currently under review. 

Based on findings of the analysis, changes to the characteristics of folded self-mailers mailed at automation or machinable letter prices may be developed. We will publish any proposed new standards in the Federal Register and encourage mail owners, mail preparers, and other interested parties to provide feedback during the comment period that will follow. 

After comments on the proposal are received and evaluated, a final rule will be published in the Federal Register and subsequently in the Postal Bulletin. An effective date that provides time for production planning will be included in the final rule. Until the final rule is published, the current folded self-mailer requirements apply as described in DMM 201.3.14. Stay tuned for further information on the self-mailer study and possible proposed requirements.