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Domestic Mail Manual

January 2005

Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service

Introduction

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Transforming the Domestic Mail ManualThe Postal Service has transformed the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) into a series of documents that are easier for customers and employees to use.

PUBLICATIONS IN THE DMM SERIES

A Customer’s Guide to Mailing answers the most common questions of household mailers. It includes tips for addressing, preparing packages, choosing a class of mailing, and adding extra services. It is available at www.usps.com and most post offices in English, Spanish, and Chinese.

A CUSTOMER’S GUIDE TO MAILING DMM 100

A Guide to Mailing for Businesses and Organizations provides an overview of mailing options for businesses and organizations. Mailers can use it to begin a business mailing program and make better-informed decisions about mailing. This document is available at pe.usps.com, larger post offices, and business mail entry units.

A GUIDE TO MAILING FOR BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS DMM 200

Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service contains all official rates and standards governing domestic mailing services and is mostly used by discount mailers and Postal Service employees. This document is available at pe.usps.com.

MAILING STANDARDS OF THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICEDMM 300

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WHY HAS THE DMM CHANGED?

The Postal Service worked closely with customers and employees to reorganize the DMM. The new DMM will help customers make informed decisions about postal products and services to get the most value from the mail. Postal employees will find it easier to help customers.

The mailing standards did not change as part of the redesign process. What is new is how the standards are organized and presented.

BENEFITS OF THE NEW DMM

The new DMM provides the following benefits and features:

• Increased ability to find information.

• Increased clarity of mailing standards.

• Expanded and improved index.

• Clearer graphics and rate charts.

• Less need to consult with experts or peers for guidance.

• Increased customer confidence in the mail and in the USPS.

• Information grouped by mailing method, shape, class of mail, and topic.

• Less time spent cross-referencing and greater confidence in finding all the information needed.

Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service makes it easier to access information about postal services and standards.

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OrganizationMailing Standards is organized into color-coded modules that make it easy to locate information quickly.

The RETAIL section explains the services and standards for letters, flats, and parcels mailed at single-piece rates. The information in this section is intended for both household consumers and businesses.

RETAIL MAILING SERVICES

The DISCOUNT sections explain the services and standards for “bulk,” presorted, and automation rate mail. The information in this section is intended for business mailers who are willing to do some extra work preparing their mail in exchange for discounted postage rates.

The GENERAL INFORMATION sections contain standards for all the additional services available to mailers, including extra services, mailer services, and recipient services. The general information sections also include standards that apply to all mailers, such as general mailability and addressing, and special standards, such as technical specifications and advanced preparation standards.

DISCOUNT MAILING SERVICES

GENERAL INFORMATION

Standards in the retail section are organized into units represented by the available mailing services. Within each mailing service, the information is organized into chapters that follow the sequence of mailing tasks.

Standards in the discount sections are organized by mailing shape. Each shape module is organized into units represented by the mailing services available for that shape. Each unit is organized into chapters that follow the sequence of mailing tasks.

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Table of ContentsThere is a comprehensive table of contents at the beginning of the book and a section-level table of contents at the beginning of each section.

IndexThe comprehensive index contains an alphabetical listing of terms and their corresponding reference numbers.

RETAIL MAILING SERVICES

100 Retail Letters, Cards, Flats, and Parcels

DISCOUNT MAILING S E RV I C E S

200 Discount Letters and Cards

300 Discount Flats

400 Discount Parcels

GENERAL INFORMATION

500 Additional Mailing Services

600 Basic Standards for All Mailing Services

700 Special Standards

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OverviewThe modules for each method and shape of mail contain general design standards and topics relating to the preparation of each class of mail.

100 DISCOUNT LETTERS AND CARDS

RETAIL LETTERS, CARDS, FLATS, AND PARCELS

Design Standards101 Physical Standards102 Elements on the Face of a Mailpiece

110 Express Mail113 Rates and Eligibility114 Postage Payment Methods115 Mail Preparation116 Deposit

120 Priority Mail123 Rates and Eligibility124 Postage Payment Methods125 Mail Preparation126 Deposit

130 First-Class Mail133 Rates and Eligibility134 Postage Payment Methods135 Mail Preparation136 Deposit

150 Parcel Post153 Rates and Eligibility154 Postage Payment Methods155 Mail Preparation156 Deposit

160 Bound Printed Matter163 Rates and Eligibility164 Postage Payment Methods165 Mail Preparation166 Deposit

170 Media Mail173 Rates and Eligibility174 Postage Payment Methods175 Mail Preparation176 Deposit

180 Library Mail183 Rates and Eligibility184 Postage Payment Methods185 Mail Preparation186 Deposit

Design Standards201 Physical Standards202 Elements on the Face of a Mailpiece

230 First-Class Mail233 Rates and Eligibility234 Postage Payment and Documentation235 Mail Preparation236 Enter and Deposit

240 Standard Mail243 Rates and Eligibility244 Postage Payment and Documentation245 Mail Preparation246 Enter and Deposit

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400300 DISCOUNT FLATS DISCOUNT PARCELS

Design Standards301 Physical Standards302 Elements on the Face of a Mailpiece

330 First-Class Mail333 Rates and Eligibility334 Postage Payment and Documentation335 Mail Preparation336 Enter and Deposit

340 Standard Mail343 Rates and Eligibility344 Postage Payment and Documentation345 Mail Preparation346 Enter and Deposit

360 Bound Printed Matter363 Rates and Eligibility364 Postage Payment and Documentation365 Mail Preparation366 Enter and Deposit

370 Media Mail373 Rates and Eligibility374 Postage Payment and Documentation375 Mail Preparation376 Enter and Deposit

380 Library Mail383 Rates and Eligibility384 Postage Payment and Documentation385 Mail Preparation386 Enter and Deposit

Design Standards401 Physical Standards402 Elements on the Face of a Mailpiece

430 First-Class Mail433 Rates and Eligibility434 Postage Payment and Documentation435 Mail Preparation436 Enter and Deposit

440 Standard Mail443 Rates and Eligibility444 Postage Payment and Documentation445 Mail Preparation446 Enter and Deposit

450 Parcel Post453 Rates and Eligibility454 Postage Payment and Documentation455 Mail Preparation456 Enter and Deposit

460 Bound Printed Matter463 Rates and Eligibility464 Postage Payment and Documentation465 Mail Preparation466 Enter and Deposit

470 Media Mail473 Rates and Eligibility474 Postage Payment and Documentation475 Mail Preparation476 Enter and Deposit

480 Library Mail483 Rates and Eligibility484 Postage Payment and Documentation485 Mail Preparation486 Enter and Deposit

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Overview Services and standards that apply generally to all customers are organized into three tabbed sections.

600 BASIC STANDARDS FOR ALL MAILING SERVICES

ADDITIONAL MAILING SERVICES

503 Extra ServicesExtra Services for Express MailRegistered MailCertified MailInsured MailCertificate of MailingReturn ReceiptRestricted DeliveryReturn Receipt for MerchandiseDelivery ConfirmationSignature ConfirmationCollect on Delivery (COD)Special HandlingConfirmMoney Orders

507 Mailer ServicesTreatment of MailForwardingAddress Correction ServicesRecall of MailPickup ServiceMailing List ServicesAddress Sequencing ServicesBusiness Reply Mail (BRM)Merchandise Return ServiceBulk Parcel Return Service

508 Recipient ServicesRecipient OptionsConditions of DeliveryCustomer Mail ReceptaclesPost Office Box ServiceCaller ServiceGeneral DeliveryFirm HoldoutPandering AdvertisementsSexually Oriented Advertisements

509 Other ServicesAddress Information System ProductsNonpostal Services

601 Mailability

602 Addressing

604 Postage Payment Methods

607 Mailer Compliance and Appeals of Classification Decisions

608 Postal Information and Resources

609 Filing Indemnity Claims for Loss or Damage

700 SPECIAL STANDARDS

703 Nonprofit and Other Special Eligibility

705 Advanced Preparation and Special Postage Payment Systems

707 Periodicals

708 Technical Specifications

709 Experimental Classifications and Rates

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Chapter

Section

SubsectionItem

SubtopicsChapter

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Unit

010 Express Mail020 Priority Mail030 First-Class Mail040 Standard Mail050 Parcel Post060 Bound Printed Matter070 Media Mail080 Library Mail000 All Classes

001 Physical Standards002 Elements on the Face

of a Mailpiece003 Rates and Eligibility004 Postage Payment005 Mail Preparation006 Enter and Deposit007008009

TopicModule

100 Retail Mail200 Discount Letters300 Discount Flats400 Discount Parcels500 Basic Standards for

All Mailing Services600 Additional Mailing Services700 Special Standards

Numbering SystemThe numbering system can serve as a navigational tool for locating standards quickly.

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Chapter Title The DMM is divided into chapters based on mailing topics.

Reference Number Each section, subsection, and standard has its own reference number.

Page LayoutThe new layout includes new graphic features and navigation elements that help you find the information you need.

Overview Each chapter begins with a table of contents.

Change BarChange bars next to standards indicate that the text has changed since the last printed edition.

Change DateThe change date indicates the date a change is effective.

DMM 58 ReferenceReference numbers corresponding to the old DMM system (DMM 58) are provided to help the transition to the new numbering system.

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Rate Table New table designs aid in locating and reading rates easily.

Chapter Number This number shows the current chapter for easy navigation.

Page-level NavigationThis element shows the number of the first or last reference on each page.

Chapter Header The header lists the module, unit, and chapter.

Shape Icon Icons provide a visual point of reference.

Exhibit Illustrations and diagrams provide clear visual explanations and examples.

DMM Issue and DateThe DMM is updated monthly.

Cross-referenceCross-references point to other required or related standards. They are hyperlinked in the online DMM for quick access.

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Postal Explorer is an easy-to-use website that provides a comprehensive collection of business mailing tools, including the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service.

With Postal Explorer you can:• Get the most up-to-date information.• Access the Quick Service Guides.• Enter a word or phrase and instantly find all references.• Access postage statements and forms.• Search one publication or a whole collection.• Calculate domestic and international retail and discount

postage rates.• Print all or part of the DMM.• Access postal zone charts.

You will find the most up-to-date version of Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service (DMM) in HTML and PDF formats. The online DMM features new interactive menus and enhanced search options.

Postal Explorerpe.usps.com http://pe.usps.com

http://pe.usps.gov/text/dmm/dmmtc.htm

Domestic Mail Manual IntroductionPSN: 7610-07-000-5420January 2005