Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 163 / Thursday, August 21, 2008 / Rules and Regulations 49333 

making a conforming change so that 

HUD’s regulation in 24 CFR 5.612 fully 

reflects all statutory requirements 

pertaining to restrictions on housing 

assistance to students enrolled in 

institutions of higher education. The 

entities covered by the statutory 

restrictions in section 8 of the 1937 Act, 

which are agencies administering 

tenant-based and project-based assisted 

housing, already are familiar with the 

exemption for students with disabilities 

receiving section 8 assistance as of 

November 30, 2005, added by statute in 

July 2006. Accordingly, the undersigned 

certifies that this final rule would not 

have a significant economic impact on 

a substantial number of small entities. 

Environmental Impact 

In accordance with 24 CFR 50.19(c)(1) 

of the Department’s regulations, this 

rule does not direct, provide for 

assistance or loan and mortgage 

insurance for, or otherwise govern or 

regulate, real property acquisition, 

disposition, leasing, rehabilitation, 

alteration, demolition, or new 

construction, or establish, revise, or 

provide for standards for construction or 

construction materials, manufactured 

housing, or occupancy. Therefore, this 

final rule is categorically excluded from 

the requirements of the National 

Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 

4321 et seq.). 

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act 

Title II of the Unfunded Mandates 

Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) (2 U.S.C. 

1531–1538) establishes requirements for 

federal agencies to assess the effects of 

their regulatory actions on state, local, 

and tribal governments and the private 

sector. This rule does not impose any 

federal mandates on any state, local, or 

tribal government or the private sector 

within the meaning of UMRA. 

Executive Order 13132, Federalism 

Executive Order 13132 (entitled 

‘‘Federalism’’) prohibits, to the extent 

practicable and permitted by law, an 

agency from publishing any rule that 

has federalism implications and either 

imposes substantial direct compliance 

costs on state and local governments 

and is not required by statute, or the 

rule preempts state law, unless the 

agency meets the consultation and 

funding requirements of section 6 of the 

Executive Order. This rule does not 

have federalism implications and does 

not impose substantial direct 

compliance costs on state and local 

governments or preempt state law 

within the meaning of the Executive 

Order. 

List of Subjects in 24 CFR Part 5 

Administrative practice and 

procedure, Aged, Claims, Crime, 

Government contracts, Grant 

programs—housing and community 

development, Individuals with 

disabilities, Intergovernmental relations, 

Loan programs—housing and 

community development, Low and 

moderate income housing, Mortgage 

insurance, Penalties, Pets, Public 

housing, Rent subsidies, Reporting and 

recordkeeping requirements, Social 

security, Unemployment compensation, 

Wages. 

■ Accordingly, for the reasons stated in 

the preamble, HUD amends 24 CFR part 

5 as follows: 

PART 5—GENERAL HUD PROGRAM 

REQUIREMENTS; WAIVERS 

■ 1. The authority citation for 24 CFR 

part 5 continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 1437a, 1437c, 1437d, 

1437f, 1437n, 3535(d), and Sec. 327, Pub. L. 

109–115, 119 Stat. 2936. 

■ 2. In § 5.612, remove the word ‘‘and’’

at the end of paragraph (e), redesignate 

paragraph (f) as paragraph (g), and add 

a new paragraph (f) to read as follows: 

§ 5.612 Restrictions on assistance to 

students enrolled in an institution of higher 

education. 

* * * * * 

(f) Is not a person with disabilities, as 

such term is defined in section 

3(b)(3)(E) of the 1937 Act and was not 

receiving assistance under section 8 of 

the 1937 Act as of November 30, 2005; 

and 

* * * * * 

Dated: August 13, 2008. 

Roy A. Bernardi, 

Deputy Secretary. 

[FR Doc. E8–19435 Filed 8–20–08; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4210–67–P 

POSTAL SERVICE 

39 CFR Part 111 

Implementation of New Standards for 

Intelligent Mail Barcodes 

AGENCY: Postal ServiceTM. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: On April 30, 2008, we 

published in the Federal Register 

(Volume 73, Number 84, pages 23393–

23403) proposed mailing standards to 

require the use of Intelligent Mail

barcodes on all letters and flats mailed 

at automation prices as of May 2010. We 

described two options for using 

Intelligent Mail barcodes as of May 

2009: The basic option and the fullservice option. In this final rule, we 

summarize comments received in 

response to our proposed rule and 

provide our new mailing standards for 

the use of Intelligent Mail barcodes. 

DATES: Effective Date: May 11, 2009. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill 

Chatfield at 202–268–7278 or Karen 

Zachok at 202–268–8779. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Current 

mailing standards require either 

POSTNETTM barcodes or Intelligent 

Mail barcodes on letters and flats mailed 

at automation prices and on letters 

mailed at Standard Mail enhanced 

carrier route prices. Both barcode 

formats contain routing information, but 

Intelligent Mail barcodes offer 

additional options. They can include 

indicators for added services such as 

Address Change Service and Confirm, 

and enable tracking of individual 

mailpieces through our processing 

system. This additional visibility adds 

value to the mail and enables us to 

monitor service. 

In response to many mailer requests, 

we will continue to allow POSTNET 

barcodes on automation letters and flats 

until May 2011. However, effective May 

2009, we will require all automation 

flats to bear barcodes that include 

delivery point routing codes, as 

currently required for automation 

letters. 

In May 2009, we will offer two 

options for using Intelligent Mail 

barcodes. Under the basic option, 

mailers will use the Intelligent Mail 

barcode on their letter and flat 

mailpieces. The basic Intelligent Mail 

barcode contains routing information for 

the delivery address but does not need 

to uniquely identify the mailpiece. 

Under the full-service option mailers 

must: Use unique Intelligent Mail 

barcodes on mailpieces; use Intelligent 

Mail tray barcodes and Intelligent Mail 

container barcodes; and electronically 

submit postage statements and mailing 

documentation. 

We will offer customers who qualify 

for the full-service Intelligent Mail 

option the following benefits in May 

2009: 

• Start-the-clock information at no 

additional charge to notify mailers when 

USPS  takes possession of mailings, 

and 

• Address correction information at 

no charge for qualified letters and flats 

that do not have the most current 

address or that are undeliverable for 

other reasons, when those pieces are 

endorsed as specified for OneCode 

ACS TM. 


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49334 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 163 / Thursday, August 21, 2008 / Rules and Regulations 

In May 2009, all First-Class Mail, 

Periodicals, Standard Mail, or Bound 

Printed Matter (BPM) letters and flats 

requiring a barcode will be eligible for 

the full-service option if the pieces bear 

Intelligent Mail barcodes and meet all 

other full-service option requirements. 

Overview of Comments 

We are encouraged by the mailing 

industry’s support of our Intelligent 

Mail vision. In response to our proposed 

rule, we received 68 submissions from 

mail preparers, vendors, and mailers 

with wide ranges of annual mail 

volumes. Many commenters shared our 

enthusiasm for the Intelligent Mail 

initiative and appreciated our revised 

timeline for full-service option 

implementation as well as our extension 

of POSTNET barcode eligibility. 

Nevertheless, many commenters 

expressed concern about the new 

implementation timeline and about 

specific aspects of the program. In the 

sections below, we summarize 

comments and provide our responses. 

Timing for Full-Service Implementation 

Readiness 

Many commenters questioned the 

readiness of mailers, software and 

hardware vendors, and the Postal 

Service to support full-service use of 

Intelligent Mail barcodes by May 2009. 

Despite the extended time for 

implementation of full-service 

Intelligent Mail, several commenters 

suggested that May 2009 was still too 

aggressive and asked the Postal Service 

to reconsider. Several commenters 

requested that we phase-in 

implementation and continue to allow 

POSTNET barcodes on automation 

letters and flats until 2011 or later. In 

contrast, one mailer association 

suggested that we do not allow 

POSTNET barcodes on automation 

letters and flats after May 2009. 

The Postal Service is aware of the 

technological challenges that the 

mailing industry faces. Postal systems 

will support full-service use of 

Intelligent Mail in May 2009. We will 

continue to work closely with the 

mailing industry to ensure a successful 

implementation. We recognize that 

mailers need time to incorporate 

vendor-supported solutions and must 

establish budgetary priorities. Therefore, 

Intelligent Mail barcodes will not be 

required for automation prices in May 

2009. We will continue to allow 

POSTNET barcodes on automation 

letters and flats until May 2011. The 

USPS will offer the benefits to those 

mailers who are ready for full-service in 

May 2009. 

Final Requirements 

A primary concern about May 2009 

implementation is the need for final 

technical requirements. These 

requirements allow vendors to supply 

new software and hardware that will 

enable mailers to print high-quality 

barcodes and provide electronic 

documentation via Mail.dat or 

Mail.XML (replacing Wizard Web 

Services). Many commenters stated that 

vendors may need six to twelve months 

to develop, test, and finalize their 

products, followed by additional testing 

and implementation time for mailers. 

This final rule contains the final mailing 

standards for basic and full-service use 

of Intelligent Mail barcodes. A Guide to 

Intelligent Mail Letters and Flats (the 

Guide), available on the USPS Web site 

at ribbs.usps.gov, provides direction on 

how to implement the technical 

requirements. 

PostalOne! Capacity 

Mailers expressed concern about the 

ability of PostalOne! to handle the 

larger, more complex files needed to 

document full-service mailings, and 

several commenters asked that 

PostalOne! operate around the clock, 7 

days a week. PostalOne! is upgrading 

both hardware and software to be able 

to support the increased size and 

complexity of full-service mailing files. 

Currently, PostalOne! is a full 

production system that is available 24 

hours a day, 7 days a week, except for 

its maintenance window. The standard 

scheduled maintenance window is on 

Sundays from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. Central 

Time. 

Pricing and Benefits 

Requests for Advanced Notice of Prices 

Many commenters asked us to 

provide information, before next year’s 

price adjustment announcement, about 

the pricing structure for mailpieces with 

Intelligent Mail barcodes that qualify for 

full-service prices and those eligible for 

basic prices. Most of these commenters 

stated that this information is needed to 

evaluate the financial costs and benefits 

of implementing the full-service option 

by May 2009. Two mailers suggested 

that the Postal Service work with the 

Postal Regulatory Commission to 

announce the Intelligent Mail barcode 

price structure before the annual 

Mailing Services price adjustment 

announcement. 

Some commenters stated that prices 

for pieces mailed under the full-service 

option should be lower than current 

automation prices. Some commenters 

further stated that the full-service prices 

should recognize the significant costs to 

the industry to participate in the fullservice option. There were also a few 

requests for complete pricing structures, 

including all automation and 

nonautomation prices. 

One mailer association suggested that 

new mailing requirements to avoid price 

increases could constitute an effective 

price increase. Another commenter, 

declaring no need for the full-service 

option for themselves, opposed a dual 

price structure. One vendor suggested 

that pricing for full-service flats should 

be discounted more than for letters. 

There were several inquiries about 

whether we would establish two or 

three automation price tiers. One mailer 

asked for a pricing roadmap for related 

services. 

Response Concerning Prices 

The benefits of Intelligent Mail reside 

in the enhanced value of the 

information-enriched mailstream, rather 

than in any prices that may accompany 

the Intelligent Mail barcode’s 

introduction. While we understand that 

a number of factors affect how rapidly 

our customers adopt this new 

technology, we want to ensure that 

mailers focus on the groundbreaking 

nature of the Intelligent Mail barcode 

itself. 

Responses to our Federal Register 

proposed rule revealed that there are 

wide variations in preparedness. Given 

the variation in mailers’ readiness, and 

the current state of the economy, we 

want customers to adopt the new 

technology at their own pace. We do not 

want the implementation of any price to 

be interpreted as a mandate to adopt the 

full-service option in May 2009. 

As we noted in our proposed rule, the 

Postal Service typically does not 

comment on specific prices in advance 

of a general price change 

announcement. As part of our price 

adjustment announcement in 2009, we 

will recommend to the Board of 

Governors that there be two automation 

pricing tiers, with lower automation 

prices in the Fall of 2009 for letters and 

flats that require a barcode and that are 

eligible for the full-service use of 

Intelligent Mail. We also will announce 

prices for related services as part of the 

annual price adjustment announcement. 

We believe that the benefits of the 

information-enriched mailstream will be 

evident to most mailers and that they 

will determine that those benefits (those 

included in the full-service option as 

well as the internal uses of the data 

generated for the mailer through use of 

the Intelligent Mail barcode) will be 

worth their investments. The Postal 

Service will be ready to implement both 

full-service and basic options of 


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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 163 / Thursday, August 21, 2008 / Rules and Regulations 49335 

Intelligent Mail in May 2009 and will 

work with mailers to promote and assist 

adoption. The Postal Service will 

provide start-the-clock and address 

correction information to full-service 

participants in May 2009. 

Concerns About Other Benefits 

Many commenters asked for more 

details regarding the value or benefits of 

using the full-service option for mailers 

and mail providers. There were requests 

for the USPS to summarize the costs and 

benefits of full-service option 

implementation for the USPS and for 

customers. There also were requests for 

an explanation of how the industry will 

recover costs; with one commenter 

stating that implementation of the fullservice option provides no value to mail 

service providers. One mailer 

association stated that a mature data 

feedback system for providing beneficial 

data should be developed and in place 

by the time customers need to be ready 

for implementation. One commenter 

suggested that full tracking information 

be the primary benefit for full-service 

mailings, instead of establishing a lower 

price. 

Response Concerning Benefits 

Intelligent Mail offers significant 

benefits. The USPS will provide 

automated address correction notices for 

letters and flats and start-the-clock 

information for mailings prepared under 

the full-service option. Mailers will 

receive actionable address correction 

information so that the right mailpiece 

is delivered to the right recipient at the 

right time. This improves mail quality 

and the return on investment of 

mailings. Start-the-clock information 

will enable visibility for when a mailing 

is inducted in the mailstream, allowing 

participants to bring accountability to 

the supply chain. Full-service option 

mail requires unique identification of 

mailpieces and containers and the 

provisioning of electronic 

documentation. These features can be 

used by mailers to automate and 

improve document management 

processes, quality control, and hand-off 

to third party suppliers. Mailers will no 

longer need to print and provide hard 

copy qualification reports and paper 

postage statements. This not only 

reduces paper usage, but eliminates the 

associated costs for handling, storing, 

managing, and disposing of paper-based 

documentation, promoting a more 

sustainable approach. See subsequent 

sections on ‘‘Address Correction 

Notices’’ and ‘‘Visibility’’ for 

explanations of these benefits. 

A Guide to Intelligent Mail for Letters 

and Flats 

Many commenters expressed concern 

about the recently published A Guide to 

Intelligent Mail for Letters and Flats, 

and stated that a longer period should 

be allowed for comments about that 

document. We have welcomed input 

and have continued to work with 

mailers to enhance the Guide and 

improve its usefulness. Several 

commenters asked that electronic 

documentation requirements be 

separated from Intelligent Mail 

implementation. As a reminder, 

electronic documentation is an integral 

part of the full-service option and 

remains an eligibility requirement. 

There is concern from customers that 

specifications in the Guide will 

continue to change. The Guide has been 

updated to accommodate feedback 

received from mailers and provide 

greater clarity for electronic 

documentation solutions. We are 

publishing the Guide on ribbs.usps.gov, 

concurrent with this final rule. 

Comments about the Guide included 

inquiries about the timing of Mail.dat 

and Web Services updates to resolve 

such issues as nesting of mailpieces. 

Other inquiries include the 

identification of mail owners, customer 

registration IDs (CRIDs), accounting for 

pieces in combined and copalletized 

mailings, accounting for mailpiece 

spoilage, designation of ‘‘by/for’’

entities, and designation of authorized 

third parties (or ‘‘cast of characters’’) for 

data dissemination. 

The Guide has been updated to reflect 

changes to support the full-service 

option. The Guide specifies the versions 

of Mail.dat and Mail.XML that will 

support Intelligent Mail. The Guide 

clarifies that the CRID is a 10-digit 

number field. There are no current plans 

to change the CRID to a 12-digit field. 

The Guide has also been updated to 

identify the spoilage, shortage, and data 

distribution solutions in collaboration 

with the mailing industry. More specific 

information on these and other items 

raised by commenters are in the Guide. 

Mailer ID Concerns 

Many commenters appreciated our 

clarification regarding the optional use 

of a mail owner’s or mail preparer’s 

Mailer ID in the Intelligent Mail 

barcode. 

Application Process 

There were many requests to 

streamline the application process, with 

a few requests to establish an online 

process. One service provider asked if 

mail preparers would be able to directly 

obtain Mailer IDs for mail owners. In 

response to these requests, we have 

simplified the application form. Mail 

preparers may obtain Mailer IDs for mail 

owners via a redesigned application 

form, available online at ribbs.usps.gov. 

Mail owners and mail preparers 

requested that the USPS consolidate the 

application process so that one Mailer 

ID could be used for OneCode ACS, 

OneCode Confirm, and general use of 

Intelligent Mail barcodes. One Mailer ID 

will be sufficient to access Confirm 

service, OneCode ACS, and the fullservice option, except for specific uses 

of OneCode ACS. When a mailer uses 

the same ACSTM endorsement on all 

mailpieces, the same Mailer ID can be 

used. If a mailer uses different 

endorsements, such as ‘‘Address Service 

Requested’’ for some mailpieces and 

‘‘Change Service Requested’’ for other 

mailpieces, a separate Mailer ID may be 

needed for each endorsement. Several 

commenters asked for a solution that 

would allow one Mailer ID to be used 

for multiple endorsements. The Guide 

explains the limited circumstances 

when mailers will need to use a 

different Mailer ID to support multiple 

endorsements. 

Some commenters asked the USPS to 

remove questions from the application 

that asked for information they 

considered to be proprietary in nature. 

We redesigned the Mailer ID application 

to remove these sections. 

6-digit Mailer IDs for MLOCRs and 

‘‘Jackpotting’’

Many mailers asked us to assign 6- 

digit Mailer IDs to individual multi-line 

optical character reader (MLOCR) 

machines. An MLOCR mailer may be 

given more than one 6-digit or 9-digit 

Mailer ID for use in the production 

environment for mailings prepared 

under full-service requirements if the 

MLOCR mail preparer’s volume is such 

that they could not maintain unique 

identification of the mailpieces in a 45- 

day period using a single Mailer ID. 

A concern was raised about whether 

an MLOCR mailer would be required to 

profile each customer’s mail volume 

separately when ‘‘jackpotting’’ several 

small customer volumes together within 

a single mailing. We will allow MLOCR 

mailers to jackpot the mail from 

customers who provide less daily 

volume than 1% of the total average 

daily volume processed at that facility 

or 3,000 pieces (whichever is less). Mail 

preparers may not jackpot pieces with 

postage paid by permit imprint or any 

nonprofit pieces included in a 

combined mailing. Mail preparers may 

not subdivide one day’s mailing into 

smaller segments to increase the number 


sroberts on PROD1PC70 with RULES
49336 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 163 / Thursday, August 21, 2008 / Rules and Regulations 

of opportunities to jackpot the mail. A 

concern was expressed about the ability 

to jackpot reject mailpieces if the mail 

owner had to be identified either in the 

barcode or in the mailing 

documentation. Reject mailpieces will 

not have to be separately profiled. 

Mail Owner Identification 

Two mail service providers objected 

to the proposed requirement that the 

mail owner’s request to use the owner’s 

Mailer ID be honored, stating that this 

could not be done while maintaining 

mailpiece uniqueness. A few service 

providers and two industry associations 

requested that we remove the 

requirement for identification of the 

mail owner in the electronic 

documentation. Except for mailpieces 

with unreadable barcodes that may need 

to have a replacement barcode applied 

by a mail preparer, we are reiterating the 

requirement that mail preparers honor 

mail owners’ requests to use their 

Mailer IDs in the Intelligent Mail 

barcode. We also retain the requirement 

to identify the mail owner via electronic 

documentation. 

Mailpiece Uniqueness 

Several commenters reiterated the 

previous suggestion that mailpiece 

‘‘uniqueness’’ (unique numbering of 

mailpieces) be achieved by linking the 

delivery routing code with the serial 

number ID. As of May 2009, when 

mailpiece uniqueness is required for 

full-service, the serial number ID in 

combination with the Mailer ID and 

Service Type ID (by class of mail) will 

be required for mailpiece uniqueness. 

When mailers separate pieces of 

identical weight permit imprint mail by 

price category, or when the correct 

postage is affixed to each piece in fullservice mailings of less than 10,000 

pieces, mailpieces may have the same 

serial number on all pieces. 

Many commenters expressed doubt 

about their ability to maintain 

uniqueness for 45 days. Several 

commenters questioned why the USPS 

needed to ensure uniqueness at all. To 

provide maximum solutions for 

information needed now and for future 

development, piece uniqueness is 

required, and that uniqueness lies in the 

Service Type ID (by class of mail), 

Mailer ID, and unique serial number. 

The USPS assigns 6-digit and 9-digit 

Mailer IDs to mailers to accommodate 

the ability to uniquely identify 

mailpieces, taking into account their 

mail volumes. A 9-digit Mailer ID 

allows up to 1 million pieces with 

unique serial numbers for a period of 45 

days. A 6-digit Mailer ID allows up to 

1 billion pieces with unique serial 

numbers, which should enable mailers 

to maintain mailpiece uniqueness for 45 

days. 

Intelligent Mail Barcodes for 

Mailpieces 

Height 

Several mailers asked for a reduction 

in height of the Intelligent Mail barcode 

and for a reduction in the required 

space between address elements and the 

barcode, and one mailer asked if the 

technical specifications for the 

Intelligent Mail barcode have been 

finalized. We understand the barcode 

printing concerns and the necessity of 

maintaining an address area that 

facilitates use of a 1-inch-high label. The 

USPS Engineering and Intelligent Mail 

Planning and Standards departments 

have worked extensively with mailer 

groups over the past 18 months to 

resolve barcode specification issues. Ink 

jet printer manufacturers also provided 

recommendations and testing. 

As a result, the Postal Service revised 

the barcode specification to reduce the 

barcode minimum height to 0.125 inch 

(from 0.134 inch) and the minimum 

vertical text-to-barcode spacing to 0.028 

inch (from 0.040 inch). This results in 

an overall line height that is actually 

less than the POSTNETTM barcode 

requirements. In addition, the void 

spacing maximum (the empty space 

between print dots that make up a bar) 

has been doubled from 0.005 inch to 

0.010 inch and MERLIN barcode 

thresholds have been altered to be lower 

than the minimum heights of the 

barcode with slightly lower text-tobarcode spacing to allow for printing 

variations. These specifications are 

final. 

Barcode theory and USPS testing 

indicate that any further reductions in 

barcode height will erode the readability 

of the barcode. This issue is due to the 

physical limitations of creating four 

different elements within the barcode’s 

height. In addition, ink jet printer 

manufacturers are concerned that 

further reductions in barcode height 

would exceed the tolerance their 

equipment can meet. As an alternative 

to further barcode dimension changes, 

the Postal Service has reduced the 

address block text sizes for barcoded 

mail. These new dimensions allow a 

minimum text height of 0.065 inch 

(0.080 inch was initially proposed). 

These changes represent significant 

steps in facilitating address block and 

barcode printing. Ink jet printer 

manufacturer feedback to these latest 

changes has been unequivocally 

positive. 

Business Reply Mail (BRM) Barcode 

Placement 

One commenter stated that the 

placement of Intelligent Mail barcodes 

on Business Reply Mail (BRM) in the 

barcode clear zone does not allow 

adequate printing tolerance, particularly 

for taller barcodes. A delivery point 

barcode must be positioned vertically 

between 0.1875 inch and 0.4375 inch 

from the bottom edge of the piece. The 

maximum 0.165-inch-high Intelligent 

Mail barcode will fit within the 0.250- 

inch area with room remaining for print 

tolerance. The Intelligent Mail barcode 

specification provides ample tolerance 

for printers to comply with the clear 

zone dimensions. 

Redirection Visibility 

There was one request that the USPS 

upgrade our Postal Automated 

Redirection System (PARS) to spray a 

new Intelligent Mail barcode on 

forwarded pieces so that the data in the 

original barcode are retained. The USPS 

decided not to make a modification to 

PARS. 

Miscellaneous Barcode Issues 

One commenter asked about the 

future of the PLANET Code barcode. We 

will retain the PLANET Code barcode 

for Confirm service as long as we 

continue to allow the POSTNET barcode 

for automation price eligibility. Several 

commenters asked if Intelligent Mail 

barcodes would be required on 

nonautomation pieces, and one 

commenter recommended that the 

Intelligent Mail barcode be optional on 

machinable pieces. We will not require 

barcodes on nonautomation mailpieces, 

but would allow correct barcodes at the 

mailer’s option. One commenter asked if 

both alpha and numeric indicators 

could be used in the Intelligent Mail 

barcode. Current specifications for the 

Intelligent Mail barcode use numeric 

indicators; we have no plans to include 

alpha indicators in the barcode. 

One commenter suggested that the 

USPS test readability of the Intelligent 

Mail barcode on Periodicals 

publications. Since 2006, the USPS has 

worked with mailers to test a variety of 

letters and flats to achieve the most 

flexible barcode specifications. The 

barcode specifications are now 

standardized and all mailers will be 

provided support as needed for 

implementation. 

One commenter requested specific 

standards for applying Intelligent Mail 

barcodes on postcards. Current 

standards allow Intelligent Mail 

barcodes on postcards that have enough 

space in the address block to include 

the barcode. 


sroberts on PROD1PC70 with RULES
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 163 / Thursday, August 21, 2008 / Rules and Regulations 49337 

Container Placards and Barcodes 

Two commenters reacted favorably to 

the elimination of the proposed 

requirement for a green strip or border 

on the container placard (previously 

referred to as a ‘‘container label’’). One 

mailer expressed appreciation for the 

added option of using a smaller placard 

when affixed to the outside of the 

shrinkwrap. Several commenters urged 

the USPS to improve our container 

barcode scanning percentage. 

Number of Placards 

There were several requests that we 

retain the current two-placard 

requirement for pallets due to increased 

costs of applying a third placard. As of 

May 2009, under the full-service option, 

we will require two affixed placards on 

adjacent sides on the outside of 

shrinkwrapped pallets. Mailers who 

load pallets on trucks must position the 

pallets so that one pallet placard faces 

the rear of the truck. 

Layers of Shrinkwrap 

There were several objections to the 

restriction of no more than two layers of 

shrinkwrap covering pallet placards, 

noting compliance problems due to the 

automation of their wrapping 

procedures. We reiterate the importance 

of having all pallet placards placed so 

that they are readable and the barcodes 

may be scanned. We cannot generate or 

provide scans for placards that are 

obscured by shrinkwrap. In May 2009, 

for full-service mailings, we require that 

all pallet placards with Intelligent Mail 

container barcodes be affixed on the 

outside of shrinkwrap. 

Placard Specifications 

Two commenters objected to changing 

the minimum height of pallet placards. 

Mailers may choose to use smaller selfadhesive pallet placards with a 

minimum size of 4 inches by 7 inches 

for placards not containing ‘‘mailerarea’’ information, that are affixed to the 

outside of shrinkwrap. We also are 

retaining the current minimum height of 

8 inches for pallet placards with a 

defined ‘‘mailer area.’’ The top 4.25 

inches of the placard will remain 

reserved for USPS use only. Mailers 

who use the 8 x 11 inch size must limit 

the mailer area to the remaining lower 

portion of the placard, which reduces 

the size of that area. Several 

commenters suggested that the 

Intelligent Mail container barcode 

include the destination. The Intelligent 

Mail container barcode has been 

designed to uniquely identify a unit 

load of mail and capture specific 

tracking data. The unique ID in the 

barcode is designed to link the physical 

unit load with its detailed attributes 

contained within an electronic file. The 

barcode is not designed for routing 

purposes. 

A mailer association asked if leading 

dashes or zeros could be used in the 

container barcode. The current 

Intelligent Mail container barcode 

specification supports the use of either 

leading dashes or zeros. 

One mailer asked if a basic-option 

mailer could use the Intelligent Mail 

container placard, even though not 

required. We welcome these mailers’

use of Intelligent Mail container 

placards, and hope that those who do so 

will participate in the full-service 

option at their earliest opportunity. 

One vendor asked how the USPS 

would use container scan data. We will 

furnish induction container scan data, 

when available, for full-service mailings 

to the mailers as part of the start-theclock feedback. We also will use these 

data to validate drop-shipments for fullservice mailings. 

Tray Labels and Barcodes 

Some commenters expressed concern 

about the changing 10/24 barcode 

format for Intelligent Mail tray labels, 

and many commenters asked when the 

new 24-digit barcode format could be 

used. The final specifications for the 10/ 

24 transitional Intelligent Mail tray label 

and the 24-digit Intelligent Mail tray 

label are available on ribbs.usps.gov. 

Mailers will be able to use the 24-digit 

barcoded label on, but not before, April 

6, 2009. The need for accurate 24-digit 

barcodes on labels generated through 

vendor software is imperative to the 

success of full-service implementation. 

Therefore, we are requesting that all 

vendor software that generates the 24- 

digit barcoded labels go through a 

certification process to ensure readiness. 

The certification process is posted on 

our Intelligent Mail Web site at 

ribbs.usps.gov. One mailer requested 

that tray label specifications be finalized 

within 60 days. Specifications for the 

24-digit Intelligent Mail tray label are 

provided in the Mailing Standards of 

the United States Postal Service, 

Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) section 

of this final rule. 

Several commenters urged the Postal 

Service to ensure adequate supplies of 

plastic sacks and label holders and to 

improve the quality of existing label 

holders. The Postal Service uses 2-inch 

label holders on letter and flats trays, 

and supplies label holders to mailers 

upon request. We have an adequate 

supply of plastic sacks and sack label 

holders, and we welcome specific 

suggestions for improving the quality of 

existing label holders. 

One mailer asked if both alpha and 

numeric indicators could be used in the 

Intelligent Mail tray barcode. We 

developed the Intelligent Mail tray 

barcode to include only numeric 

indicators and are not planning to allow 

alpha indicators. 

Address Correction Notices 

Provision of Data 

Many commenters sought clarification 

about how USPS will provide address 

correction notices, and inquired about 

the ability to distribute these notices to 

authorized third parties. Two 

commenters requested that free address 

correction information be provided to 

all users of Intelligent Mail barcodes. 

Several commenters requested that 

notices be provided in a downloadable 

file format. 

We will provide automated address 

correction notices for correctly 

formatted full-service mailpieces that 

meet OneCode ACS requirements. The 

information will be provided in one of 

two ways. Authorized entities may 

obtain downloadable files via the 

Internet or an electronic exchange 

method. 

Provision of Notices at No Additional 

Charge 

Mailers will qualify for automated 

address correction notices at no 

additional charge for mailpieces verified 

as eligible for Intelligent Mail fullservice, when mailers use the provided 

information to update their address 

records. Mailers who do not update an 

address record after notification may 

incur charges for subsequent notices for 

that address. 

One mailer suggested that free address 

correction notices be provided for 

carrier route flats when they have 

Intelligent Mail barcodes and are part of 

a full-service mailing. We will consider 

including carrier route flats as eligible 

for full-service benefits in the future. 

Move Update 

A few commenters questioned 

whether participation in the full-service 

option would meet the Move Update 

requirement. Full-service mailings 

would meet Move Update requirements 

as long as address correction 

information previously obtained has 

been used to update addresses within 95 

days (effective November 23, 2008) of 

the date of mailing. It is important that 

mailers use the information provided in 

address correction notices to update 

addresses used in future mailings. A 

premailing method, such as 

NCOALINK, is necessary for Move 

Update compliance when mailers use 


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newly purchased lists or lists that have 

not used an approved Move Update 

process within the previous 95 days. As 

a reminder, mailpieces with alternative 

addressing formats (simplified, 

occupant, and exceptional addresses) 

are not subject to the Move Update 

standard and may not use ancillary 

service endorsements. Alternative 

addresses include pieces with addresses 

such as ‘‘Postal Customer,’’ ‘‘Occupant’’

with a delivery address, or an 

addressee’s name accompanied by ‘‘Or 

Current Resident’’ with a delivery 

address. Pieces with alternative 

addressing formats must not use ACS. 

We received additional questions 

about whether mailers could switch 

OneCode ACS on and off for different 

mailings. Mailers may use OneCode 

ACS on selected mailings or on selected 

pieces within a mailing, but should be 

aware that we will monitor address 

quality to ensure compliance with Move 

Update standards. Commenters also 

questioned whether free notices would 

be provided for mailpieces that failed to 

maintain uniqueness. Mailpieces that 

are ostensibly presented as part of fullservice mailings, but which do not 

maintain the required uniqueness or fail 

to qualify for full-service for any reason 

will not be eligible to receive automated 

address correction notices at no 

additional charge. 

A mailer association asked about the 

obligation of a third party when address 

lists are rented. The mailer is 

responsible for ensuring compliance 

with Move Update requirements. Mail 

providers may request that mail owners 

complete PS Form 6014, Certification of 

Move Update Compliance. 

Printed Endorsements 

Several commenters questioned the 

need for printed ancillary service 

endorsements on pieces requesting 

OneCode ACS. First-Class Mail letters 

and Periodicals mailpieces with 

OneCode ACS do not need printed 

endorsements since all undeliverableas-addressed First-Class Mail letters and 

Periodicals mailpieces are sent to either 

the Postal Automated Redirection 

System (PARS) or Centralized 

Forwarding System (CFS) units for 

processing where the Intelligent Mail 

barcode is read to detect the mailer’s 

request for address correction services. 

First-Class Mail flats, without a printed 

endorsement, that can be forwarded are 

also sent to CFS units for processing and 

generation of OneCode ACS notices 

based on the Intelligent Mail barcode. 

First-Class Mail flats that are 

undeliverable for any other reason are 

not sent to CFS units for processing and 

do not generate the OneCode ACS 

address correction notice unless they 

have a printed endorsement indicating 

the mailer’s request for address 

correction services. All undeliverableas-addressed Bound Printed Matter 

(BPM) and Standard Mail pieces 

received at the delivery unit are 

disposed of if they do not bear printed 

endorsements to alert delivery 

employees to the mailer’s request for 

address correction services. 

We also received questions about 

additional charges for services implied 

by endorsements, including whether the 

USPS would charge for hard copy 

notices provided for full-service option 

pieces. When Periodicals, Standard 

Mail, and BPM pieces have 

endorsements requesting an 

undeliverable mailpieces’ forwarding or 

return, additional charges apply for 

these services. Also, when hard copy 

notices are provided at the mailer’s 

request associated with the forwarding 

of a mailpiece, current prices apply. 

However, as today, mailers will not be 

required to pay the manual notice fee 

for a hard copy notice for pieces 

properly prepared for OneCode ACS 

when the endorsement is Electronic 

Service Requested. 

Miscellaneous 

One commenter suggested that 

providing free notices devalued use of 

NCOALINK. A premailing method, such 

as NCOALINK, may be necessary for 

compliance with Move Update 

requirements when mailers use newly 

purchased lists or lists of addressees to 

which they have not mailed within the 

previous 95 days. We urge customers to 

use NCOALINK before mailing to 

increase the percentage of deliverable, 

timely mail. We consider the provision 

of address correction notices, which 

includes information not available in 

NCOALINK when files are processed, as 

a supplement to NCOALINK and other 

mailer efforts to update and cleanse 

their address lists. 

Several commenters asked if 

mailpieces for which the USPS database 

could not supply 11-digit routing codes 

would be eligible for automation prices. 

One commenter suggested that the 

USPS improve its address database to 

lower the percentage of uncodeable 

addresses. As of May 2009, barcodes 

with 11-digit routing codes will be 

required for automation flats. Currently, 

11-digit routing codes are required in 

barcodes on automation letters. The 

USPS makes a continuous effort to 

identify and resolve any missing 

information in its address database. 

However, not all addresses maintained 

by the mailing industry represent valid 

delivery points served by the USPS. 

When a mailer has addressed a piece to 

an address that is not a USPS delivery 

point, or when the address cannot be 

matched to the USPS address data, an 

11-digit routing code cannot be 

provided. The USPS provides many 

different products, programs, and 

services to assist mailers in resolving 

addresses that cannot be matched to the 

USPS database. As a reminder, current 

DMM standards accommodate 

situations when mailpieces are 

addressed for delivery to an address 

with a unique 5-digit ZIP CodeTM or 

unique ZIP+4 code. 

A mailer association asked when the 

USPS would retire traditional ACS, and 

another commenter asked if notices 

would be ‘‘free forever.’’ We have no 

plans to retire traditional ACS. When 

mailers participate in the full-service 

option, automated address correction 

notices will be provided for qualifying 

mailpieces. We will monitor the 

effectiveness of this service on reducing 

the volume of undeliverable-asaddressed mail and the results will 

influence future pricing decisions. 

Visibility 

Many commenters asked for 

clarification about information that will 

be provided as ‘‘start-the-clock’’

information—verification of USPS 

possession of the mailing or container 

scans. There were many requests to 

specify the method for providing the 

information, with observations that 

online reports would be inadequate. 

Several commenters requested that 

container scans be provided in a 

downloadable file format, with the 

ability to provide information to mail 

owners, mail preparers, and authorized 

third parties. Two commenters 

suggested that tray and container scans 

be provided at no charge to full-service 

option participants. We will provide 

information about when the mail is 

inducted into the mailstream. All 

available induction scan data will be 

provided. Information will be provided 

online via an online method or an 

electronic data exchange capability. 

Two commenters stated the need for 

the USPS to provide detailed diagnostic 

information based on data obtained 

when pieces are processed. The USPS 

will provide address correction 

information and start-the-clock 

information as part of the full-service 

option. The USPS will consider offering 

additional mail quality diagnostics in 

the future. 

Confirm 

Several commenters requested that 

the USPS maintain Confirm service in 

its current state, allowing all mailers 


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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 163 / Thursday, August 21, 2008 / Rules and Regulations 49339 

who use either Intelligent Mail barcodes 

or PLANET Code barcodes to access 

mailpiece tracking information. Several 

commenters requested an expanded 

ability to distribute scan data to third 

parties. One mailer requested that the 

USPS expand pricing options to 

accommodate fewer scans for a 

subscription price lower than the 

current Silver price level. 

We agree that Confirm provides 

information that improves the value of 

mail for customers; this is consistent 

with the Intelligent Mail vision. Any 

changes in the pricing or availability of 

Confirm would be pursued separately. 

This notice reiterates the availability of 

OneCode Confirm through the use of a 

Service Type ID in the Intelligent Mail 

barcode, and does not change the 

existing ability of authorized third 

parties to receive Confirm data. 

Expanded data distribution capabilities 

are discussed in the Guide. 

One commenter asked if OneCode 

Confirm will supply forwarding scans. 

The USPS does not plan to offer this at 

this time. 

Data Security 

Commenters requested information 

regarding USPS plans to provide 

security for data transmitted by mailers 

and data captured under the full-service 

option use of Intelligent Mail. The 

Intelligent Mail implementation will be 

in compliance with its comprehensive 

security standards as published in the 

USPS Handbook, AS–805, Information 

Security. The AS–805 handbook and its 

related documents are based upon 

industry and government standards and 

best practices. 

Customer/Supplier Agreements 

Containerization Standards 

Commenters noted that our proposal 

lacked standards for containerization of 

First-Class Mail letters and flats. Several 

commenters requested that we finalize 

containerization standards and publish 

them as part of the final rule, rather than 

possibly publishing them as a separate 

notice. We continue to work with the 

mailing industry on containerization of 

large, origin entered mailings through 

customer/supplier agreements. 

Variations by Site 

Some commenters expressed concern 

about local agreements varying by site, 

and three commenters requested a 

defined resolution process. One 

commenter suggested that 

containerization requirements should 

translate into price discounts. 

Customer/supplier agreements are the 

result of cooperation between mailers 

and USPS plant managers to establish 

appropriate separation of mailing 

containers related to critical mail 

acceptance times. Customer/supplier 

agreements will be used for originentered mailings verified at a mailer’s 

facility, for mail presented at the BMEU 

requesting later entry times, and for 

time-sensitive dropshipped Periodicals 

mailings requesting later entry times. 

The nature of customer/supplier 

agreements is one of a mutually 

beneficial agreement. The process for 

establishing customer/supplier 

agreements is outlined in the Guide and 

these will be established as needed for 

eligible customers. 

Special Postage Payment Agreements 

Several commenters asked if optional 

procedure agreements or other special 

postage payment agreements would be 

replaced with customer/supplier 

agreements. Special postage payment 

agreements will remain as they are 

currently, with customer/supplier 

agreements supplementing special 

postage payment agreements rather than 

replacing them. 

Miscellaneous 

One mailer requested that the USPS 

allow First-Class Mail mailers to retain 

scheduled pickups. There are no plans 

to discontinue current local 

transportation schedules. One mailer 

asked that the USPS not require 

multiple mailings to be combined. This 

is not required now and the Postal 

Service has no plans to require it in the 

future. A vendor association stated that 

more information on transportation 

routes and handling of First-Class Mail 

is needed. There are no planned 

changes in current transportation 

requirements. 

Reply Mail 

Most commenters appreciated the 

longer time provided in our proposal to 

use POSTNET barcodes on reply mail, 

but some asked us to rethink whether 

we needed Intelligent Mail barcodes on 

all reply mail. One mailer asked that we 

not require Mailer IDs in Intelligent 

Mail barcodes on Business Reply Mail 

(BRM). 

BRM or Courtesy Reply MailTM (CRM) 

pieces will not be required to have 

Intelligent Mail barcodes until May, 

2011. However, letters claiming 

Qualified Business Reply Mail (QBRM) 

prices and Permit Reply Mail (PRM) 

pieces will be required to use Intelligent 

Mail barcodes, including Mailer IDs, as 

of May 2010. We will continue to allow, 

until May 2011, either POSTNET or 

Intelligent Mail barcodes on other reply 

mail that is enclosed within automation 

mailpieces. 

Two commenters asked for a 5 

percent rebate on postage for Courtesy 

Reply Mail bearing Intelligent Mail 

barcodes and enclosed in full-service 

mailings. Courtesy Reply Mail pieces 

are entered into the mail system as 

single-piece items and are fully 

processed by the USPS; therefore we do 

not plan to offer a rebate on postage for 

Courtesy Reply Mail pieces. 

Verification of Full-Service Mailings 

Mixed Mailings 

Many commenters asked if, under the 

full-service option, the USPS would 

allow mailpieces with POSTNET 

barcodes and basic option Intelligent 

Mail barcodes to be commingled with 

full-service pieces. We will allow fullservice and basic option mailpieces 

with Intelligent Mail barcodes as well as 

pieces with POSTNET barcodes to be 

combined in a single mailing, including 

copalletized mailings, when appropriate 

documentation is provided. As a 

reminder, when there are full-service 

pieces in a mailing, mailers must use 

Intelligent Mail tray labels and 

Intelligent Mail container placards (if 

the mail is containerized) and provide 

the USPS with electronic mailing 

documentation which includes piece 

level documentation for all mailpieces 

in those mailings. The Guide provides 

detailed information concerning 

documentation for mixed and 

copalletized mailings that include 

pieces with different types of barcodes. 

Verification Procedures 

Several commenters asked about 

continuation of current verification 

procedures, as well as proposed 

tolerances and penalties for failure to 

maintain mailpiece uniqueness or other 

errors. Current verification procedures, 

including use of MERLIN and 

established levels of error tolerances, 

will apply to basic and full-service 

mailings. Failure to meet qualifications 

for the full-service option, such as not 

maintaining mailpiece uniqueness, 

would result in a mailing being 

ineligible for full-service benefits; 

however, it may still be eligible for 

automation prices. A mailer association 

asked if hard copy documentation will 

be required for full-service mailings. 

Full-service mailings require the 

submission of electronic 

documentation; use of hard copy 

documentation for full-service mailings 

is not an option. 


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49340 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 163 / Thursday, August 21, 2008 / Rules and Regulations 

Miscellaneous 

One commenter asked for the 

flexibility to enter a full-service mailing 

as a Standard Mail mailing, but upgrade 

it to a First-Class Mail mailing via 

electronic notification. There are no 

provisions for this type of change at this 

time. 

Another commenter asked if the 

unique serial number in barcodes on 

pieces mailed under the full-service 

option would replace the printed 

unique mailpiece identification required 

for manifest mailings. The USPS will 

consider this option in the future, as 

mailers and the USPS determine that 

validation and verification procedures 

are adequate without the printed 

identifiers. 

One mailer requested that the USPS 

publish a list of approved full-service 

vendors. We are not planning to certify 

or formally pre-approve vendors for fullservice capabilities. 

FAST 

Several commenters expressed 

appreciation that Facility Access and 

Shipment Tracking (FAST) 

appointments would not be generally 

needed for First-Class Mail mailings and 

for origin-entered mailings of other mail 

classes. We received several requests for 

clarification regarding the method 

needed to update files after the original 

appointment is made. Updates for 

recurring appointments may be 

provided via Mail.dat or Mail.XML, 

whereas updates to one-time 

appointments would be provided only 

via Mail.XML. One commenter asked if 

consolidators were responsible for 

updating appointment information. 

Whoever makes the appointment is 

responsible for updating the logistics 

information. Appointment content 

information may be updated by the 

appointment creator (scheduler) or may 

also be updated by the mail owner or 

mail preparer in joint scheduling 

scenarios. 

One commenter asked how FAST 

accommodates customer/supplier 

agreements. FAST will be used, as 

defined in the customer/supplier 

agreement, to create appointments for 

origin entered mail that is transported 

by the mailer. The FAST system is also 

used to schedule appointments for 

dropshipment mailings, which typically 

do not require a customer/supplier 

agreement. 

One mailer asked if FAST will be 

integrated with the Surface Air 

Management System (SAMS). SAMS 

and FAST serve different functions, and 

under the full-service option they will 

continue to function as they do today. 

There are no plans for a SAMS-FAST 

link. 

Other Comments 

Miscellaneous 

Many commenters requested a 

technology roadmap for the next three 

to five years. The USPS will share the 

timeline for Intelligent Mail 

implementation with the mailing 

industry. 

Several commenters requested that 

the USPS establish online and human 

technical support systems. USPS help 

desks are being resourced and trained to 

support the Intelligent Mail 

implementation in May 2009. Personnel 

across various USPS functions such as 

business mail acceptance, business 

service network, and sales are being 

trained. The USPS will provide 

webinars, training and educational 

material for vendors and customers after 

publication of this final rule. 

Current Standards 

We also received questions about 

issues that are already covered by 

mailing standards in the current DMM. 

For instance, barcode placement 

standards are in DMM 202.5, 302.4, and 

708.4. We currently allow and 

encourage mailers to use Intelligent 

Mail barcodes on their letters and flats 

to qualify for automation prices 

according to standards in DMM 202.5, 

302.4, and 708.4, with technical 

specifications available at 

ribbs.usps.gov/OneCodeSolution/. 

Standards regarding the use of 

Intelligent Mail barcodes with Confirm 

service are in DMM 503.13.3 and, with 

OneCode ACSTM in DMM 507.4.2. 

Standards for using Intelligent Mail 

barcodes on BRM are in DMM 507.9.9 

and 708.4.0. We have a frequently asked 

questions (FAQs) section on our 

Intelligent Mail Web site at 

ribbs.usps.gov. 

Summary 

In May 2009, we will implement the 

following: 

• Updated requirements for 

Intelligent Mail barcodes and POSTNET 

barcodes, with delivery point routing 

information required in barcodes on 

automation letters and flats and carrier 

route letters. 

• Two options for using Intelligent 

Mail barcodes—the basic option and the 

full-service option. 

• For full-service implementation, we 

will require: 

• Unique identification in Intelligent 

Mail barcodes on letters and flats. 

• Intelligent Mail tray labels, with 

unique barcodes, used on trays and 

sacks. 

• Intelligent Mail container placards, 

with unique barcodes, affixed on the 

outside of pallets and placed on 

containers (if the mail is containerized). 

• Electronic postage statements and 

documentation (when documentation is 

required). 

• Full-service mailers will enjoy the 

following benefits: 

• Address correction information for 

letters and flats using OneCode ACS at 

no charge (subject to approval by the 

Governors). 

• ‘‘Start-the-clock’’ information that 

will document when the Postal Service 

has taken possession of each mailing. 

In May 2010, we will require the 

Intelligent Mail barcode on QBRM 

letters and on Permit Reply Mail pieces. 

As part of the annual price adjustment 

announcement in 2009, we will 

recommend to the Board of Governors 

that letters and flats requiring a barcode 

and mailed under the full-service option 

of Intelligent Mail pay lower automation 

prices in the Fall of 2009 than pieces 

mailed under the basic option or with 

POSTNET barcodes. 

The Postal Service will adopt the 

following changes to Mailing Standards 

of the United States Postal Service, 

Domestic Mail Manual (DMM), 

incorporated by reference in the Code of 

Federal Regulations. See 39 CFR 111.1. 

List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111 

Administrative practice and 

procedure, Postal Service. 

■ Accordingly, 39 CFR part 111 is 

amended as follows: 

PART 111—[AMENDED] 

■ 1. The authority citation for 39 CFR 

part 111 continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552(a); 39 U.S.C. 101, 

401, 403, 404, 414, 416, 3001–3011, 3201–

3219, 3403–3406, 3621, 3622, 3626, 3632, 

3633, and 5001. 

■ 2. Revise the following sections of 

Mailing Standards of the United States 

Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual 

(DMM) as follows: 

* * * * * 

Mailing Standards of the United 

States Postal Service, Domestic Mail 

Manual (DMM) 

* * * * * 

200 Commercial Letters and Cards 

* * * * * 

230 First-Class Mail 

233 Prices and Eligibility 

* * * * * 


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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 163 / Thursday, August 21, 2008 / Rules and Regulations 49341 

5.0 Additional Eligibility Standards 

for Automation First-Class Mail Letters 

5.1 Basic Standards for Automation 

First-Class Mail Letters 

All pieces in a First-Class Mail 

automation mailing must: 

* * * * * 

[Revise item e of 5.1 as follows:] 

e. Bear an accurate delivery point 

POSTNET barcode or an Intelligent Mail 

barcode encoded with the correct 

delivery point routing code, matching 

the delivery address and meeting the 

standards in 202.5.0, and 708.4.0. 

Mailers must apply the barcode either 

on the piece or on an insert showing 

through a window. 

* * * * * 

[Renumber current 233.5.2 through 

233.5.5 as new 233.5.3 through 233.5.6.] 

[Add a new 233.5.2 as follows:] 

5.2 Additional Eligibility Standards 

for Full-Service Automation First-Class 

Mail Letters 

All pieces entered under the fullservice automation option 705.22, must: 

a. Bear a unique Intelligent Mail 

barcode. 

b. Be part of a mailing using unique 

Intelligent Mail tray labels on all trays 

and sacks. 

c. Be part of a mailing using unique 

Intelligent Mail container barcodes on 

all destination-entry pallets and other 

containers prepared under 705.8.0 or as 

part of a customer/supplier agreement. 

d. Be part of a mailing using an 

approved electronic method to transmit 

a postage statement and mailing 

documentation to the PostalOne! 

system. 

* * * * * 

234 Postage Payment and 

Documentation 

* * * * * 

4.0 Mailing Documentation 

* * * * * 

[Renumber current 234.4.4 through 

234.4.9 as 234.4.5 through 234.4.10 and 

add a new 234.4.4 as follows:] 

4.4 Documentation Submission—FullService Automation Option 

Mailers entering First-Class Mail 

pieces under the full-service automation 

option must electronically submit 

postage statements and mailing 

documentation to the PostalOne! system 

as described in 705.22.3.4. 

* * * * * 

235 Mail Preparation 

* * * * * 

4.0 Tray Labels 

* * * * * 

4.9 Barcoded Tray Labels 

4.9.1 Basic Standards for Barcoded 

Tray Labels 

[Revise 4.9.1 by adding a new second 

sentence as follows:] 

* * * Intelligent Mail tray labels 

must be used with mailings entered 

under the full-service automation 

option. * * * 

* * * * * 

240 Standard Mail 

243 Prices and Eligibility 

* * * * * 

6.0 Additional Eligibility Standards 

for Enhanced Carrier Route Standard 

Mail Letters 

6.1 General Enhanced Carrier Route 

Standards 

* * * * * 

6.1.2 Basic Eligibility Standards 

All pieces in an Enhanced Carrier 

Route or Nonprofit Enhanced Carrier 

Route Standard Mail mailing must: 

* * * * * 

[Revise item g of 6.1.2 as follows:] 

g. Meet the requirements for 

automation compatibility in 201.3.0 and 

bear an accurate delivery point 

POSTNET barcode or Intelligent Mail 

barcode encoded with the correct 

delivery point routing code matching 

the delivery address and meeting the 

standards in 202.5.0, and 708.4.0. 

Letters with Intelligent Mail barcodes 

entered under the full-service 

automation option also must meet the 

standards in 705.22. Pieces prepared 

with a simplified address format are 

exempt from this requirement. 

* * * * * 

6.3 Basic Price Enhanced Carrier 

Route Standards 

* * * * * 

6.3.2 Basic Price Eligibility 

* * * Basic prices also apply under 

these conditions: 

[Revise item a of 6.3.2 as follows:] 

a. Basic letter prices apply to each 

piece that is automation-compatible 

according to 201.3.0, and has an 

accurate delivery point POSTNET 

barcode or Intelligent Mail barcode 

encoded with the correct delivery point 

routing code matching the delivery 

address and meeting the standards in 

202.5.0 and 708.4.0. 

* * * * * 

6.4 High Density Enhanced Carrier 

Route Standards 

6.4.1 Basic Eligibility Standards for 

High Density Prices 

[Revise the first sentence of 6.4.1 as 

follows:] 

High density prices apply to each 

piece that is automation-compatible 

according to 201.3.0, and has an 

accurate delivery point POSTNET 

barcode or Intelligent Mail barcode 

encoded with the correct delivery point 

routing code matching the delivery 

address and meeting the standards in 

202.5.0, and 708.4.0. * * * 

* * * * * 

6.5 Saturation ECR Standards 

6.5.1 Basic Eligibility Standards for 

Saturation Prices 

[Revise the first sentence of 6.5.1 as 

follows:] 

Saturation prices apply to each piece 

that is automation-compatible according 

to 201.3.0, and has an accurate delivery 

point POSTNET barcode or Intelligent 

Mail barcode encoded with the correct 

delivery point routing code matching 

the delivery address and meeting the 

standards in 202.5.0, and 708.4.0. * * * 

* * * * * 

7.0 Eligibility Standards for 

Automation Standard Mail 

7.1 Basic Eligibility Standards for 

Automation Standard Mail 

All pieces in a Regular Standard Mail 

or Nonprofit Standard Mail automation 

mailing must: 

* * * * * 

[Revise item e of 7.1 as follows:] 

e. Bear an accurate delivery point 

POSTNET barcode or Intelligent Mail 

barcode encoded with the correct 

delivery point routing code, matching 

the delivery address and meeting the 

standards in 202.5.0, and 708.4.0. 

Mailers must apply the barcode either 

on the piece or on an insert showing 

through a window. 

* * * * * 

[Renumber current 243.7.2 through 

243.7.6 as new 243.7.3 through 243.7.7] 

[Add a new 243.7.2 as follows:] 

7.2 Additional Eligibility Standards 

for Full-Service Automation Standard 

Mail Letters 

All pieces entered under the fullservice automation option according to 

standards in 705.22 must: 

a. Bear a unique Intelligent Mail 

barcode. 

b. Be part of a mailing using unique 

Intelligent Mail tray labels on all trays 

and sacks. 


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49342 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 163 / Thursday, August 21, 2008 / Rules and Regulations 

c. Be part of a mailing using unique 

Intelligent Mail container barcodes on 

all destination-entry pallets and other 

containers prepared under 705.8.0 or as 

part of a customer/supplier agreement. 

d. Be part of a mailing using an 

approved electronic method to transmit 

a postage statement and mailing 

documentation to the PostalOne! 

system. 

e. Be scheduled for an appointment 

through the Facility Access and 

Shipment Tracking (FAST) system 

when deposited as a DBMC or DSCF 

drop-shipment. 

* * * * * 

244 Postage Payment and 

Documentation 

* * * * * 

4.0 Mailing Documentation 

* * * * * 

[Renumber current 244.4.4 through 

244.4.9 as 244.4.5 through 244.4.10] 

[Add a new 244.4.4 as follows:] 

4.4 Documentation Submission—FullService Automation Option 

Mailers entering Standard Mail pieces 

under the full-service automation option 

must electronically submit postage 

statements and mailing documentation 

to the PostalOne! system as described in 

705.22.3.4. 

* * * * * 

245 Mail Preparation 

* * * * * 

4.0 Tray Labels 

* * * * * 

4.9 Barcoded Tray Labels 

4.9.1 Basic Standards for Barcoded 

Tray Labels 

* * * Barcoded labels must meet 

these general standards: 

[Revise 4.9.1 by adding a new item e 

as follows:] 

e. Intelligent Mail tray labels must be 

used with mailings entered under the 

full-service automation option. 

* * * * * 

300 Commercial Flats 

330 First-Class Mail 

333 Prices and Eligibility 

* * * * * 

5.0 Additional Eligibility Standards 

for Automation Price First-Class Mail 

Flats 

5.1 Basic Standards for Automation 

First-Class Mail 

All pieces in a First-Class Mail 

automation mailing must: 

* * * * * 

[Revise item e of 5.1 to require a 

delivery point barcode as follows:] 

e. Bear an accurate delivery point 

POSTNET barcode or Intelligent Mail 

barcode encoded with the correct 

delivery point routing code, matching 

the delivery address and meeting the 

standards in 302.4.0, and 708.4.0, either 

on the piece or on an insert showing 

through a barcode window. 

* * * * * 

[Renumber current 333.5.2 through 

333.5.5 as 333.5.3 through 333.5.6.] 

[Add a new 333.5.2 as follows:] 

5.2 Eligibility Standards for FullService Automation First-Class Mail 

Flats 

All pieces entered under the fullservice automation option according to 

standards in 705.22 must: 

a. Bear a unique Intelligent Mail 

barcode. 

b. Be part of a mailing using unique 

Intelligent Mail tray labels on all trays 

and sacks. 

c. Be part of a mailing using unique 

Intelligent Mail container barcodes on 

all destination-entry pallets and other 

containers prepared under 705.8.0 or as 

part of a customer/supplier agreement. 

d. Be part of a mailing using an 

approved electronic method to transmit 

a postage statement and mailing 

documentation to the PostalOne! 

system. 

* * * * * 

334 Postage Payment and 

Documentation 

* * * * * 

4.0 Mailing Documentation 

* * * * * 

[Renumber current 334.4.4 through 

334.4.9 as 334.4.5 through 334.4.10.] 

[Add a new 334.4.4 to reflect 

electronic submission standards at the 

full-service automation price as 

follows:] 

4.4 Documentation Submission—FullService Automation Option 

Mailers entering First-Class Mail flats 

under the full-service automation option 

must electronically submit postage 

statements and mailing documentation, 

including qualification and container 

reports, to the PostalOne! system as 

described in 705.22.3.4. 

* * * * * 

335 Mail Preparation 

* * * * * 

4.0 Tray Labels 

* * * * * 

4.9 Barcoded Tray Labels 

4.9.1 Basic Standards for Barcoded 

Tray Labels 

* * * Barcoded labels must meet 

these general standards: 

[Revise 4.9.1 by adding a new item e 

as follows:] 

e. Intelligent Mail Tray labels must be 

used with mailings entered under the 

full-service automation option. 

* * * * * 

340 Standard Mail 

343 Prices and Eligibility 

* * * * * 

7.0 Additional Eligibility Standards 

for Automation Standard Mail Flats 

7.1 Basic Eligibility Standards for 

Automation Standard Mail 

All pieces in a Regular Standard Mail 

or Nonprofit Standard Mail automation 

mailing must: 

* * * * * 

[Revise item e to require a delivery 

point barcode as follows:] 

e. Bear an accurate delivery point 

POSTNET barcode or Intelligent Mail 

barcode encoded with the correct 

delivery point routing code, matching 

the delivery address and meeting the 

standards in 302.4.0, and 708.4.0, either 

on the piece or on an insert showing 

through a barcode window. 

* * * * * 

[Renumber current 343.7.2 through 

343.7.4 as 343.7.3 through 343.7.5.] 

[Add a new 343.7.2 as follows:] 

7.2 Eligibility Standards for FullService Automation Standard Mail 

Flats 

All pieces entered under the fullservice automation option, according to 

standards in 705.22, must: 

a. Bear a unique Intelligent Mail 

barcode. 

b. Be part of a mailing using unique 

Intelligent Mail tray labels on all trays 

and sacks. 

c. Be part of a mailing using unique 

Intelligent Mail container barcodes on 

all destination-entry pallets and other 

containers prepared under 705.8.0 or as 

part of a customer/supplier agreement. 

d. Be part of a mailing using an 

approved electronic method to transmit 

a postage statement and mailing 

documentation to the PostalOne! 

system. 

e. Be scheduled for an appointment 

through the Facility Access and 

Shipment Tracking (FAST) system 

when deposited as a DBMC or DSCF 

dropshipment. 

* * * * * 


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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 163 / Thursday, August 21, 2008 / Rules and Regulations 49343 

344 Postage Payment and 

Documentation 

* * * * * 

4.0 Mailing Documentation 

* * * * * 

[Renumber current 344.4.4 through 

344.4.9 as 344.4.5 through 344.4.10.] 

[Add a new 344.4.4 as follows:] 

4.4 Documentation Submission—FullService Automation Option 

Mailers entering Standard Mail pieces 

under the full-service automation option 

must electronically submit postage 

statements and mailing documentation, 

including qualification and container 

reports, to the PostalOne! system as 

described in 705.22.3.4. 

* * * * * 

345 Mail Preparation 

* * * * * 

4.0 Sack and Tray Labels 

* * * * * 

4.8 Use of Barcoded Sack and Tray 

Labels 

* * * Barcoded labels must meet 

these general standards: 

[Revise 4.8 by adding a new item e as 

follows:] 

e. Intelligent Mail tray labels must be 

used on all trays and sacks for mailings 

entered under the full-service 

automation option. 

* * * * * 

360 Bound Printed Matter 

363 Prices and Eligibility 

1.0 Prices and Fees for Bound Printed 

Matter 

1.1 Nonpresorted Bound Printed 

Matter 

* * * * * 

1.1.4 Barcoded Discount—Flats 

[Revise 363.1.1.4 to require BPM 

claiming a barcode discount price to be 

automation-compatible and bear a 

delivery point barcode as follows:] 

The barcoded discount applies only to 

BPM flat-size pieces that meet the 

requirements for automation 

compatibility in 301.3.0 and bear a 

delivery point POSTNET barcode or 

Intelligent Mail barcode encoded with 

the correct delivery point routing code, 

matching the delivery address and 

meeting the standards in 302.4.0 and 

708.4.0. The pieces must be part of a 

nonpresorted mailing of 50 or more flatsize pieces. 

* * * * * 

4.0 Price Eligibility for Bound Printed 

Matter Flats 

4.1 Price Eligibility 

* * * Price categories are as follows: 

* * * * * 

[Revise item d of 363.4.1 to require 

BPM claiming a barcode discount price 

to be automation-compatible and bear a 

delivery point barcode as follows:] 

d. Barcoded Discount—Flats. The 

barcoded discount applies only to BPM 

flat-size pieces that meet the 

requirements for automation 

compatibility in 301.3.0 and bear an 

accurate delivery point POSTNET 

barcode or Intelligent Mail barcode 

encoded with the correct delivery point 

routing code, matching the delivery 

address and meeting the standards in 

302.4.0 and 708.4.0. The pieces must be 

part of a nonpresorted mailing of 50 or 

more flat-size pieces or part of a presort 

mailing of at least 300 BPM flat-size 

pieces prepared under 705.8.0, and 

365.7.0. The barcoded discount is not 

available for flat-size pieces mailed at 

Presorted DDU prices or carrier route 

prices. 

* * * * * 

6.0 Additional Eligibility Standards 

for Barcoded Bound Printed Matter 

Flats 

6.1 Basic Eligibility Standards for 

Barcoded Bound Printed Matter 

[Revise 6.1 by revising the first 

sentence as follows:] 

The barcode discount applies only to 

BPM flat-size pieces that bear a delivery 

point POSTNET barcode or an 

Intelligent Mail barcode encoded with 

the correct delivery point routing code, 

matching the delivery address and 

meeting the standards in 302.4.0 and 

708.4.0. * * * 

[Renumber current 363.6.2 through 

363.6.3 as 363.6.3 through 363.6.4.] 

[Add a new 363.6.2 as follows:] 

6.2 Eligibility Standards for FullService Automation Bound Printed 

Matter Flats 

All pieces entered under the fullservice automation option, according to 

standards in 705.22, must: 

a. Bear a unique Intelligent Mail 

barcode. 

b. Be part of a mailing using unique 

Intelligent Mail tray labels on all trays 

and sacks. 

c. Be part of a mailing using unique 

Intelligent Mail container barcodes on 

all destination-entry pallets and other 

containers prepared under 705.8.0 or as 

part of a customer/supplier agreement. 

d. Be part of a mailing using an 

approved electronic method to transmit 

a postage statement and mailing 

documentation to the PostalOne! 

system. 

e. Be scheduled for an appointment 

through the Facility Access and 

Shipment Tracking (FAST) system 

when deposited as a DBMC or DSCF 

dropshipment. 

* * * * * 

364 Postage Payment and 

Documentation 

* * * * * 

2.0 Mailing Documentation 

* * * * * 

[Renumber current 364.2.4 through 

364.2.9 as 364.2.5 through 364.2.10.] 

[Add a new 364.2.4 as follows:] 

2.4 Documentation Submission—FullService Automation Option 

Mailers entering BPM pieces under 

the full-service automation option must 

electronically submit postage statements 

and mailing documentation to the 

PostalOne! system as described in 

705.22.3.4. 

* * * * * 

365 Mail Preparation 

* * * * * 

4.0 Sack Labels 

* * * * * 

4.9 Basic Standards for Barcoded 

Sack Labels 

* * * Barcoded labels must meet 

these general standards: 

[Revise 4.9 by adding a new item e as 

follows:] 

e. Intelligent Mail tray labels (see 

708.6.0) must be used on sacks for 

mailings entered under the full-service 

automation option. 

* * * * * 

500 Additional Services 

* * * * * 

507 Mailer Services 

* * * * * 

9.0 Business Reply Mail (BRM) 

* * * * * 

[Revise the title and text of 9.9 to 

allow Intelligent Mail barcodes on lettersize and flat-size BRM, except QBRM 

letters, to omit a Mailer ID as follows:] 

9.9 Additional Standards for LetterSize and Flat-Size BRM 

In addition to the format standards in 

9.8, letter-size BRM enclosed in 

automation mailings and all QBRM 

must be barcoded with a ZIP+4 

POSTNET barcode or an Intelligent Mail 

barcode. Intelligent Mail barcodes on all 


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BRM must contain the barcode ID, 

service type ID, and correct ZIP+4 

routing code, as specified under 708.4.3. 

QBRM letters must bear Intelligent Mail 

barcodes with a USPS-assigned Mailer 

ID, effective May 2010. Other BRM 

letters and flats may be barcoded at the 

permit holder’s option. Barcoded BRM 

must meet the barcode standards in 

708.4.0, the envelope basis weight 

standards in 9.7.1, all other mailpiece 

design standards in 201.3.0 (including 

thickness) or 301.3.0, and these 

standards: 

* * * * * 

10.0 Permit Reply Mail 

* * * * * 

10.3 Format Elements 

* * * * * 

10.3.6 Delivery Address 

[Revise 10.3.6 as follows:] 

The complete address (including the 

permit holder’s name, delivery address, 

city, state, and ZIP + 4 code) must be 

printed on the piece. PRM pieces must 

bear a delivery point POSTNET (until 

May 2010) or Intelligent Mail barcode. 

Effective May 2010, PRM pieces must 

bear Intelligent Mail barcodes (under 

708.4.3) with delivery point routing 

codes and USPS-assigned Mailer IDs. 

700 Special Standards 

* * * * * 

705 Advanced Preparation and 

Special Postage Payment Systems 

* * * * * 

8.0 Preparing Pallets 

* * * * * 

[Re-title 705.8.6 as follows:] 

8.6 Pallet Placards 

8.6.1 Placement 

[Revise 8.6.1 by adding a new second 

sentence as follows]: 

* * * Pallets prepared through plantload or drop-shipment agreements must 

be placed on transportation so that a 

pallet placard on each pallet faces 

toward the rear of the vehicle. 

8.6.2 Specifications 

[Revise 8.6.2 to reference Intelligent 

Mail container barcoded pallet placards 

as follows:] 

Pallet placards must be pink for 

Periodicals mailpieces or white for 

Standard Mail, Package Services, and 

Parcel Select. Pallet placards must 

measure at least 8 inches by 11 inches, 

except that pallet or other USPS 

container placards bearing Intelligent 

Mail container barcodes may measure 4 

inches by 7 inches when prepared 

under 708.6.6.6. Placards bearing 

Intelligent Mail container barcodes must 

meet the standards for Intelligent Mail 

container placards in DMM 708.6.6 and 

at ribbs.usps.gov. 

* * * * * 

[Add new 705.22 to describe the 

conditions for the full-service 

automation option as follows:] 

22.0 Full-Service Automation Option 

22.1 Description 

Access to full-service automation 

option benefits requires the use of 

Intelligent Mail barcodes to uniquely 

identify each mailpiece. In addition to 

the standards described in 22.2, all 

pieces entered under the full-service 

option must individually meet the 

eligibility requirements for automation 

prices according to their class and 

shape. Full-service automation mailings 

require Intelligent Mail barcodes on 

mailpieces; Intelligent Mail tray labels 

on trays and sacks; and Intelligent Mail 

container placards on pallets or similar 

containers (when created). Additional 

requirements include the use of an 

approved electronic method to transmit 

postage statements and mailing 

documentation to the USPS (describing 

how mailpieces are linked to trays or 

sacks, and containers, if applicable), and 

scheduling dropship appointments 

through the Facility Access and 

Shipment System (FAST) for 

destination bulk mail center, destination 

area distribution center, and destination 

sectional center facility dropshipments. 

22.1.1 Basic Option Pieces Included in 

Full-Service Automation Mailings 

Full-service automation option 

mailings may include pieces prepared 

under the basic automation option, but 

the basic automation option pieces will 

not be used to meet the eligibility 

standards for the full-service option and 

will not receive full-service benefits. 

Basic automation option pieces bear 

Intelligent Mail barcodes (under 

708.4.0) and meet all eligibility 

requirements for automation prices. 

22.1.2 POSTNET Pieces Included in 

Full-Service Automation Mailings 

Full-service automation option 

mailings may include automationcompatible pieces bearing POSTNET 

barcodes. These pieces may not be used 

to meet the eligibility standards for the 

full-service option and will not receive 

full-service benefits. 

22.2 Eligibility Standards 

First-Class Mail, Periodicals, and 

Standard Mail letters and flats and 

Bound Printed Matter flats meeting 

eligibility requirements for automation 

prices, and Standard Mail letters 

meeting eligibility requirements for 

enhanced carrier route letter prices are 

eligible for the full-service automation 

option. All pieces entered under the 

full-service automation option must: 

a. Bear a unique Intelligent Mail 

barcode. 

b. Be part of a mailing using unique 

Intelligent Mail tray labels on all trays 

and sacks. 

c. Be part of a mailing using unique 

Intelligent Mail container barcodes on 

all destination-entry pallets and other 

containers prepared under 705.8.0 or as 

part of a customer/supplier agreement. 

A customer/supplier agreement is 

authorized with a service agreement 

signed by the mailer, the USPS District 

Manager, Customer Service, and the 

USPS Processing and Distribution 

Center manager. The service agreement 

contains provisions regarding mailer 

and USPS responsibilities. 

d. Be part of a mailing using an 

approved electronic method to transmit 

a postage statement and mailing 

documentation to the PostalOne! 

system. 

e. Be scheduled for an appointment 

through the Facility Access and 

Shipment Tracking (FAST) system 

when deposited as a DBMC, DADC, or 

DSCF drop-shipment. 

22.3 Preparation 

22.3.1 Intelligent Mail Barcodes 

Mailers must include an Intelligent 

Mail barcode on each mailpiece as 

described in 708.4 that accurately 

encodes the following fields: 

a. Barcode ID. 

b. Service Type ID. 

c. Mailer ID. At the option of the mail 

owner, the Mailer ID field can be 

populated with the Mailer ID of the mail 

owner or mail preparer. 

d. Serial number. Except for mail 

prepared under 22.4.3, each mailpiece 

must be encoded with a unique serial 

number. Mailers must ensure that these 

numbers remain unique for a period of 

at least 45 days. Serial numbers 

associated to an individual Mailer ID 

must not be duplicated within this 45- 

day period, regardless of the entry 

location. 

e. Delivery point routing code. All 

Intelligent Mail barcodes must include 

an accurate delivery point routing code. 

22.3.2 Intelligent Mail Tray Labels 

All trays and sacks must contain 

accurately encoded Intelligent Mail tray 

labels as described in 708.6.5. Mailing 

documentation, when required, must 

associate each mailpiece to a 


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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 163 / Thursday, August 21, 2008 / Rules and Regulations 49345 

corresponding tray or sack, if 

applicable, as described in 22.3.4. Each 

tray or sack must be encoded with a 

unique serial number. Tray or sack 

serial numbers associated to an 

individual Mailer ID cannot be 

duplicated within a 45-day period, 

regardless of the acceptance location. 

22.3.3 Intelligent Mail Container 

Placards 

All required pallets and similar 

containers (such as all-purpose 

containers, hampers, and gaylords) and 

all containers prepared under 705.8.0 in 

full-service mailings must display 

container placards that include 

accurately encoded Intelligent Mail 

container barcodes as described in 

708.6.6. Mailing documentation, when 

required, must associate each mailpiece 

(and tray or sack, if applicable) to a 

corresponding container as described in 

22.3.4, unless otherwise authorized by 

the USPS. Each container must be 

encoded with a unique serial number. 

Container barcodes must not be 

duplicated within a 45-day period, 

regardless of the acceptance location. 

22.3.4 Electronic Documentation 

Mailers must electronically submit 

postage statements and mailing 

documentation (when required) to the 

PostalOne! system. Unless otherwise 

authorized, documentation must 

describe how each mailpiece is linked 

to a uniquely identified tray or sack, if 

applicable, and how each mailpiece and 

tray or sack is linked to a uniquely 

identified container (if applicable). The 

documentation must also meet the 

requirements in A Guide to Intelligent 

Mail for Letters and Flats (available at 

ribbs.usps.gov/). Mailers must transmit 

postage statements and mailing 

documentation to the PostalOne! system 

using Mail.dat, Mail.XML, or Postal 

Wizard (see 22.4.3). 

22.3.5 Scheduling Appointments 

Mailers must schedule appointments 

using the Facility Access and Shipment 

Tracking (FAST) system for dropship 

mailings (except for mailings entered at 

a DDU) or as required in a customer/ 

supplier agreement. Mailers may 

schedule appointments online using the 

FAST Web site at fast.usps.com or they 

may submit appointment requests 

through PostalOne! FAST Web Services 

at www.uspspostalone.com, using 

Mail.XML or Mail.XML with Mail.dat. 

22.3.6 Preparation of Containers 

Mailings under the full-service 

automation option may be 

containerized, when volume warrants, 

in uniquely identified containers by 

palletizing bundles, sacks, or trays 

under standards in 705.8. Mailers 

required to containerize must make all 

separations when the volume for any 

presort level meets a required sortation 

level, as described in 705.8.5.2 or in the 

customer/supplier agreement. Fullservice mailings containerized under 

705.8.0 or as part of a customer/supplier 

agreement must have Intelligent Mail 

container placards (under 708.6.6) on 

the containers. 

22.4 Additional Standards 

22.4.1 Induction Data 

Mailers presenting mailings under the 

full-service automation option will 

receive mail induction information 

(start-the-clock data corresponding to 

the date and time when the USPS 

receives the mailing) at no additional 

charge. 

22.4.2 Address Correction Notices 

Mailers presenting mailpieces that 

qualify for the full-service option will 

receive automated address correction 

notices at no additional charge when the 

pieces are encoded with Intelligent Mail 

barcodes with ‘‘Address Service 

Requested’’ or ‘‘Change Service 

Requested’’ under standards for 

OneCode ACS and under the conditions 

noted below. 

a. Mailpieces must include the 

appropriate service type ID in the 

Intelligent Mail barcode to match the 

ancillary service requested. See 507.1.5 

for mail disposition and address 

correction combinations by class of 

mail. 

b. A complementary ancillary service 

request option also must be recorded in 

the mailer’s Address Change Service 

(ACS) mailer profile. See 507.4.2 for 

more information about ACS. Address 

correction notices for mailpieces in fullservice mailings are available for: 

1. First-Class Mail letters and flats 

(printed endorsement not required for 

letters). 

2. Periodicals letters and flats (printed 

endorsement not required). 

3. Standard Mail letters and flats and 

Bound Printed Matter (BPM) flats. 

Standard Mail and BPM pieces must 

include a printed on-piece endorsement 

in addition to encoding the ancillary 

service request into the Intelligent Mail 

barcode. See 507.4.2 for additional 

standards. 

c. Mailers must use the address 

correction information provided by the 

USPS to update their address records in 

order to receive notices without paying 

additional fees. 

22.4.3 Special Standards—Small 

Volume Mailings 

For mailings of fewer than 10,000 

pieces, and postage is affixed to each 

piece at the correct price or each piece 

is of identical weight and the mailpieces 

are separated by price, the serial number 

field of each Intelligent Mail barcode 

can be populated with a mailing serial 

number that is unique to the mailing but 

common to all pieces in the mailing. 

This unique mailing serial number must 

not be reused for a period of 45 days 

from the date of mailing. These mailings 

are not required to submit electronic 

documentation for full-service, only an 

electronic postage statement. Unique 

mailing serial numbers must be 

populated in the Postal Wizard entry 

screen field or in the Mail.XML 

messages. Mailers must populate the 

serial number field of all Intelligent 

Mail tray or sack labels, and Intelligent 

Mail container barcodes (when mailings 

are containerized) with the unique 

mailing serial number. 

* * * * * 

707 Periodicals 

* * * * * 

14.0 Barcoded (Automation) Price 

Eligibility 

14.1 Basic Standards 

14.1.1 General 

All pieces in a Periodicals barcoded 

(automation) price mailing must: 

[Revise item c of 14.1.1 to describe 

new standards for barcoded Periodicals 

mailings as follows:] 

c. Bear an accurate delivery point 

POSTNET barcode or an Intelligent Mail 

barcode encoded with the delivery point 

routing code, matching the delivery 

address and meeting the standards in 

202.5.0 (for letters), 302.4.0 (for flats), 

and 708.4.0. Mailers must apply the 

barcode either on the piece or on an 

insert showing through a window. 

* * * * * 

[Renumber current 14.2 through 14.4 

as 14.3 through 14.5 and add new 14.2 

as follows:] 

14.2 Eligibility Standards for FullService Automation Periodicals 

All pieces entered under the fullservice automation option, according to 

standards in 705.22, must: 

a. Bear a unique Intelligent Mail 

barcode. 

b. Be part of a mailing using unique 

Intelligent Mail tray labels on all trays 

and sacks. 

c. Be part of a mailing using unique 

Intelligent Mail container barcodes on 

all destination-entry pallets and other 


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49346 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 163 / Thursday, August 21, 2008 / Rules and Regulations 

containers prepared under 705.8.0 or as 

part of a customer/supplier agreement. 

d. Be part of a mailing using an 

approved electronic method to transmit 

a postage statement and mailing 

documentation to the PostalOne! 

system. 

e. Be scheduled for an appointment 

through the Facility Access and 

Shipment Tracking (FAST) system 

when deposited as a DBMC, DADC, or 

DSCF dropshipment. 

* * * * * 

17.0 Documentation 

* * * * * 

17.3 Basic Standards for 

Documentation 

* * * * * 

17.3.3 Presenting Documentation 

[Revise 17.3.3 by adding a new third 

sentence as follows:] 

* * * Mailers entering Periodicals 

pieces under the full-service barcoded 

(automation) option must electronically 

submit postage statements and mailing 

documentation to the PostalOne! system 

as described in 705.21.3.4. 

* * * * * 

21.0 Sack and Tray Labels 

* * * * * 

21.4 Use of Barcoded Sack and Tray 

Labels 

* * * Barcoded labels must meet 

these general standards: 

[Revise 21.4 by adding a new item e 

as follows:] 

e. Intelligent Mail tray labels must be 

used on all trays and sacks for mailings 

entered under the full-service 

automation option. 

* * * * * 

708 Technical Specifications 

* * * * * 

4.0 Standards for POSTNET and 

Intelligent Mail Barcodes 

* * * * * 

4.3 Intelligent Mail Barcodes 

4.3.1 Definition 

* * * Mailers may use Intelligent 

Mail barcodes as follows: 

[Revise the first sentence in item b to 

require delivery point routing codes in 

Intelligent Mail barcode on automation 

flats as follows:] 

b. When used on flat-size pieces for 

automation-price eligibility purposes, 

the barcode must contain a delivery 

point routing code that accurately 

matches the delivery address. * * * 

[Revise item c of 4.3.1 to exempt 

certain reply mailpieces from the Mailer 

ID requirement by adding a new first 

sentence and revising the second 

sentence as follows:] 

c. Reply mail pieces, except QBRM 

and Permit Reply Mail (PRM) pieces, 

using origin Confirm Service do not 

require a Mailer ID to be encoded into 

the Mailer Identifier field. All other 

mailpieces, including QBRM letters and 

PRM pieces as of May 2010, bearing 

Intelligent Mail barcodes must include 

the Mailer ID in the Mailer Identifier 

field. * * * 

* * * * * 

[Revise the title of 708.6 to reflect new 

container placard options as follows:] 

6.0 Standards for Barcoded Tray 

Labels, Sack Labels, and Container 

Placards 

[Renumber current 6.1 through 6.3 as 

new 6.2 through 6.4.] 

[Add new 6.1 as follows:] 

6.1 General 

6.1.1 Tray and Sack Labels 

Intelligent Mail tray labels (see 6.5), 

barcoded 2-inch tray and sack labels, 

and barcoded 1-inch sack labels are the 

USPS-approved methods to encode 

routing, content, origin, and mailer 

information on trays and sacks. 

Intelligent Mail tray labels are designed 

for use with Intelligent Mail barcoded 

mail and have the capacity to allow 

tracking through USPS systems, 

providing key information to mailers 

and the USPS. 

6.1.2 Container Placards 

Mailer-generated container placards 

bearing Intelligent Mail container 

barcodes identify the mail owner or 

agent and uniquely identify the unit 

load (pallet, container, or rolling stock). 

Intelligent Mail container placards are 

designed to be used with Intelligent 

Mail barcoded mail and Intelligent Mail 

tray labels. 

[Revise the title of renumbered 6.2 as 

follows:] 

6.2. Specifications for Barcoded Tray 

and Sack Labels 

* * * * * 

[Revise title of renumbered Exhibit 

6.2.1 as follows:] 

Exhibit 6.2.1 Required Barcoded Tray 

and Sack Labels 

* * * * * 

[Add new 6.5 as follows:] 

6.5 Intelligent Mail Tray Label 

6.5.1 Definition 

Intelligent Mail tray labels are 2-inch 

labels used on all trays and sacks to 

uniquely identify each tray and sack in 

addition to each mailer or mail preparer. 

See Exhibit 6.5.1 for an example of the 

Intelligent Mail tray label. Detailed 

specifications for Intelligent Mail tray 

labels and barcode formats are available 

under the Intelligent Mail barcodes link 

at ribbs.usps.gov. 

Exhibit 6.5.1 Intelligent Mail Tray 

Label 

[Exhibit located on the Postal 

Explorer Web site at pe.usps.com under 

Federal Register notices]. 

6.5.2 Intelligent Mail Tray Label 

Format 

The core data elements for the 

Intelligent Mail tray label are as follows: 

a. Printer Line. 

b. Tray or Sack Destination (Postal 

Destination Name). 

c. Content Identifier Number (CIN) 

description (tray or sack content). 

d. Office of mailing or mailer 

information. 

e. Destination ZIP Code (the ZIP Code 

of the trays’ or sacks’ final destination). 

f. Carrier Route information. 

g. Mailer ID (unique identifier of the 

mailer). 

h. 24-digit, ISS Code 128 subset C 

barcode numeric line. 

i. Mailer’s Area (set aside for mailergenerated human-readable information). 

6.5.3 Barcode Format 

The barcode format that a mailer uses 

depends on the Mailer ID assigned by 

the USPS. Upon request by the mailer, 

the USPS assigns a 6-digit or 9-digit 

Mailer ID based on the mailer’s mail 

volume. Intelligent Mail tray barcodes 

contain the following elements: 

a. Destination ZIP Code. 

b. Content Identifier Number (CIN), as 

listed in Exhibit 6.2.4. 

c. Processing Code, identifying the 

system or facility generating the label. 

d. Mailer ID. 

e. Serial Number, a unique number 

assigned to each tray or sack. 

f. Label Type, a default digit. 

6.5.4 Unique Barcode Requirement 

The Intelligent Mail tray barcode 

encodes a unique ID for each tray and 

sack. Mailers must ensure that serial 

numbers in barcodes remain unique for 

45 days. 

6.5.5 Quality Assurance Provisions 

Mailers printing Intelligent Mail tray 

labels are responsible for the inspection 

and testing of the labels prior to 

submission to USPS and for maintaining 

the overall quality of the labels they 

produce. It is recommended that 

inspection and testing of Intelligent 

Mail tray labels be performed 


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periodically. Mailers and label vendors 

are encouraged to submit samples to the 

National Customer Service Center 

(NCSC) in Memphis for certification (see 

608.8.0 for address). 

[Add new 6.6 as follows:] 

6.6 Intelligent Mail Container 

Placards (Labels) 

6.6.1 Definition 

Mailer-generated container placards 

bearing Intelligent Mail container 

barcodes can be used to identify all 

pallets and other rolling stock, such as 

all-purpose containers. Intelligent Mail 

container barcodes uniquely identify 

each container and may be scanned at 

induction points. Detailed specifications 

for Intelligent Mail container barcodes 

and placards are available under the 

Intelligent Mail barcodes link at 

ribbs.usps.gov. 

6.6.2 Intelligent Mail Container 

Placard Configurations 

Intelligent Mail container placards 

can be produced in two configurations: 

a. Self-adhesive placard measuring at 

least 8 inches by 11 inches. Placards 

must be affixed to the outside of any 

shrinkwrap or plastic by a self-adhesive 

or other adhesive means that will not 

obscure any required element of the 

placard, and remain secure throughout 

USPS processing. See 6.6.3 for 

specifications. 

b. Optional self-adhesive placard 

measuring at least 4 inches by 7 inches. 

Placards also may be prepared in the 

alternate format (see 6.6.6) when affixed 

to the outside of any shrinkwrap or 

plastic by a self-adhesive or other 

adhesive means that will not obscure 

any required element of the placard and 

remain secure throughout USPS 

processing. This optional configuration 

does not accommodate a ‘‘mailer area,’’

such as the one supported by the larger 

configuration in 6.6.3. Mailers wishing 

to include their own information in a 

defined ‘‘mailer area’’ of the placard 

must use a placard with a minimum size 

of 8 inches by 11 inches under 6.6.3. 

6.6.3 Intelligent Mail Container 

Placard Format 

In addition to the general 

requirements for pallet placards in 

705.8.6, Intelligent Mail container 

placards (see Exhibit 6.6.3) must retain 

the top portion of the placard for USPSrequired elements. The USPS banner, 

identification bars, and human-readable 

text are required elements related to the 

Intelligent Mail container barcode and 

will serve as a guide to distinguish the 

barcode from the other information on 

the container placard. Components and 

their required elements include: 

a. USPS Banner. ‘‘USPS SCAN 

REQUIRED’’ must be printed in all 

uppercase letters centered above the 

barcode and embedded within the 

upper Identification bar. Clear zone and 

font size are as follows: 

1. A clear zone of at least 0.125 inch, 

but no more than 0.5 inch, must be 

maintained between the bottom edge of 

the text and the top of the barcode. 

2. The banner must be printed in a 

boldface sans-serif font of at least 14- 

point type. 

b. Identification Bars. Horizontal 

black bars of at least 0.10 inch thick 

must be printed above and below the 

barcode. At a minimum, the bars must 

extend the length of the barcode. Clear 

zone and other requirements are as 

follows: 

1. The upper bar must be printed at 

least 0.125 inch above the top edge of 

the barcode. 

2. The upper bar must have a void in 

the middle sufficient to insert the USPS 

banner without any element being 

obscured. 

3. The lower bar must be printed at 

least 0.125 inch below the humanreadable representation of the barcode 

string. 

c. Human-Readable Representation of 

Barcode Data. The human-readable 

representation of barcode data (text) 

must be printed in a boldface sans-serif 

font of at least 12-point type. The text 

must not exceed the length of the 

barcode. To enhance readability, the 

text must be or separated by data field. 

Two blank character spaces must be left 

between each field. The text must be 

centered at least 0.125 inch, but no more 

than 0.25 inch, below the barcode. 

d. Barcode Location. The barcode, 

along with the corresponding USPS 

banner and identification bars, must be 

printed on the front side of the pallet 

placard. When the identification bars 

extend beyond the length of the 

barcode, the barcode must be 

horizontally centered. 

e. Minimum size. The minimum size 

of this placard is 8 inches high by 11 

inches long. See additional 

specifications at ribbs.usps.gov under 

the Intelligent Mail link. Mailers using 

placards larger than this minimum size 

must ensure the barcode conforms to the 

published specification and the humanreadable content is provided as 

illustrated in Exhibit 6.6.3 and as 

published on the RIBBS Web site. 

Exhibit 6.6.3 Intelligent Mail 

Container Placard 

[Exhibit located on the Postal 

Explorer Web site at pe.usps.com under 

Federal Register notices]. 

6.6.4 Barcode Format 

Intelligent Mail container barcodes 

are 21 characters in length and contain 

a USPS-assigned Mailer ID. The format 

depends on the Mailer ID assigned by 

the USPS. Intelligent Mail container 

barcodes contain the following 

elements: 

a. Application Identifier, identifying 

the source of the barcode. 

b. Type Indicator, identifying internal 

or external label generation. 

c. Mailer ID. 

d. Serial Number, a unique number 

assigned to each container. 

6.6.5 Placard Requirements 

Mailers using container placards 

bearing Intelligent Mail container 

barcodes must: 

a. Place two placards on pallets, one 

on each adjacent side, on the outside of 

shrinkwrap or plastic. Placards must be 

affixed by self-adhesive or other 

adhesive means that will not obscure 

any required element of the placard, and 

remain secure throughout USPS 

processing. 

b. Place one label in the designated 

area on other USPS containers. 

6.6.6 Optional Placard Format 

Mailers may prepare pallet and 

container placards bearing Intelligent 

Mail container barcodes (see Exhibit 

6.6.6) in a smaller alternate format when 

affixed to the outside of any shrinkwrap 

or plastic as follows: 

a. Placards must include the required 

elements described in 705.8.6. Mailers 

wishing to include information in a 

defined ‘‘mailer area’’ must use the 

larger size placard specified in 6.6.3. 

b. Placards must be securely affixed 

on two adjacent sides on the outside of 

pallets and may measure no less than 4 

inches high by 7 inches long. 

c. Placards containing Intelligent Mail 

container barcodes must meet the 

specifications for placards located under 

the Intelligent Mail barcodes link at 

ribbs.usps.gov. 

Exhibit 6.6.6 Intelligent Mail 

Container Placard—Optional Format 

Without Mailer Area 

[Exhibit located on the Postal 

Explorer Web site at pe.usps.com] 

6.6.7 Unique Barcode Requirement 

The Intelligent Mail container barcode 

encodes a unique ID for each container. 

Mailers must ensure that serial numbers 

in barcodes remain unique for 45 days. 

6.6.8 Quality Assurance Provisions 

Mailers printing Intelligent Mail 

container placards are responsible for 

the inspection and testing of the 


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49348 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 163 / Thursday, August 21, 2008 / Rules and Regulations 

placards prior to submission to the 

USPS and for maintaining the overall 

quality of the placards they produce. It 

is recommended that inspection and 

testing of Intelligent Mail container 

placards be performed periodically. 

Mailers are encouraged to work with 

their local Mailpiece Design Analyst to 

validate the accuracy and quality of 

their placards. 

* * * * * 

Neva R. Watson, 

Attorney, Legislative. 

[FR Doc. E8–19339 Filed 8–20–08; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 7710–12–P 

POSTAL SERVICETM

39 CFR Part 111 

Waiver of Signature Delivery Process 

AGENCY: Postal Service. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: The Postal Service is revising 

the Mailing Standards of the United 

States Postal Service, Domestic Mail 

Manual (DMM) to update the 

standards regarding delivery of Express 

Mail items with waiver of signature 

and return receipt for merchandise 

items with waiver of signature. Delivery 

employees deliver these items to the 

addressee’s mail receptacle or other 

secure location without first attempting 

to obtain a signature from the addressee. 

DATES: Effective Date: August 21, 2008. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Monica Grein at 202–268–8411. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Waiver of 

signature authorizes delivery to be made 

without obtaining the signature of the 

addressee or addressee’s agent as long as 

the delivery employee establishes the 

article can be left in the addressee’s mail 

receptacle or other secure location. By 

waiving signature, the sender agrees to 

accept the delivery time and date scan 

information as valid record of delivery. 

When Express Mail items with 

waiver of signature and return receipt 

for merchandise items with waiver of 

signature are delivered, the delivery 

employee will sign the PS Form 3849, 

Sorry We Missed You, without 

attempting to obtain a signature from 

the addressee. After signing the PS Form 

3849, the delivery employee delivers the 

item to the addressee’s mail receptacle 

or other secure location. This process 

expedites delivery time because the 

delivery employee is not required to try 

to obtain a signature from the addressee 

or addressee’s agent, when a waiver of 

signature is indicated. 

Comments Received: We received one 

comment on the proposal, from an 

attorney. The commenter expressed 

concerns about our process for handling 

disputes regarding mail delivery when 

the sender has authorized a waiver of 

signature. 

The delivery employee has always 

signed the Form 3849 when ‘‘waiver of 

signature’’ was indicated and we have 

never provided the delivery employee’s 

name. The only change from the 

previous process is that the delivery 

employee no longer needs to attempt to 

obtain a signature from the addressee 

first when ‘‘waiver of signature’’ is 

indicated. Therefore, the manner in 

which we handle delivery disputes has 

been well established and will not be 

changed. 

The Postal Service adopts the 

following changes to Mailing Standards 

of the United States Postal Service, 

Domestic Mail Manual (DMM), which 

is incorporated by reference in the Code 

of Federal Regulations. See 39 CFR 

111.1. 

List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111 

Administrative practice and 

procedure, Postal Service. 

■ Accordingly, 39 CFR part 111 is 

amended as follows: 

PART 111—[AMENDED] 

■ 1. The authority citation for 39 CFR 

part 111 continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552(a); 39 U.S.C. 101, 

401, 403, 404, 414, 416, 3001–3011, 3201–

3219, 3403–3406, 3621, 3622, 3626, 3632, 

3633, and 5001. 

■ 2. Revise the following sections of 

Mailing Standards of the United States 

Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual 

(DMM) as follows: 

* * * * * 

100 Retail Letters, Cards, Flats, and 

Parcels 

* * * * * 

110 Express Mail 

113 Prices and Eligibility 

* * * * * 

4.0 Service Features of Express Mail 

4.1 General 

The service features are as follows: 

* * * * * 

[Revise the text of the first and second 

sentences in item b as follows:] 

b. When a signature is waived by the 

mailer, the delivery employee signs 

upon delivery. The item is delivered to 

the addressee’s mail receptacle or other 

secure location. * * * 

* * * * * 

115 Mail Preparation 

* * * * * 

2.0 Express Mail Next Day and 

Second Day 

* * * * * 

2.2 Waiver of Signature 

[Revise the text of 2.2 as follows:] 

A mailer sending an Express Mail 

item may instruct the USPS to deliver 

an Express Mail Next Day Delivery or 

Express Mail Second Day Delivery item 

without obtaining the signature of the 

addressee or the addressee’s agent by 

checking and signing the waiver of 

signature on Label 11–B or Label 11–F, 

Express Mail Post Office to Addressee, 

or indicating waiver of signature is 

requested on single-ply commercial 

label. Completion of the waiver of 

signature authorizes the delivery 

employee to sign upon delivery. The 

item is delivered to the addressee’s mail 

receptacle or other secure location. 

Mailers who waive signature will be 

provided only the delivery date and 

time, and not an image of the signature 

when accessing delivery information on 

the Internet or when calling the toll-free 

number. 

* * * * * 

400 Commercial Parcels 

* * * * * 

410 Express Mail 

413 Prices and Eligibility 

* * * * * 

4.0 Service Features of Express Mail 

4.1 General 

The service features are as follows: 

* * * * * 

[Revise the text of the first and second 

sentences in item b as follows:] 

b. When waiver of signature is 

indicated by the mailer, the delivery 

employee signs upon delivery. The item 

is delivered to the addressee’s mail 

receptacle or other secure location. 

* * * 

* * * * * 

415 Mail Preparation 

* * * * * 

2.0 Express Mail Next Day and 

Second Day 

* * * * * 

2.2 Waiver of Signature 

[Revise the text of 2.2 as follows:] 

A mailer sending an Express Mail 

item may instruct the USPS to deliver 

an Express Mail Next Day Delivery or 

Express Mail Second Day Delivery item 

without obtaining the signature of the 


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