Timeline for pending changes in mail pieces specifications. Currently presenting this to clients as a breakfast meeting.

1. USPS Update
Tammy Caserta
Director of Mailing Services
Think Patented

2. Time Line for Changes
• November 2008
– Move Update Compliance
goes into effect
– Penalty moved to January
2010 for Standard mail
– First-Class penalties currently
in effect
– Beware of Whistle Blowers

3. Time Line for Changes
• March 29, 2009
– Flat mail address placement, font specifications and
spacing
• May 2009
– Intelligent Mail Barcode
• Full service is implemented
– Newly proposed self-mailers and booklet specs
– Revision of nonmachinable characteristics
– Flat-size mail piece deflection standards to change to
allow 1 inch less of vertical deflection (droop) than
currently allowed

4. Time Line for Changes
• May 2010
– Intelligent Mail Barcode
• QBRM must now contain new barcode
– Flat-size mail pieces flexibility standards be replaced
with a single flexibility standard requiring all flat-size
pieces to be foldable
– Modification of standards to prevent inserts from
falling out
• Loose inserts less than 75% of the size be limited to single-
ply unfolded cards if the mailpiece is not enclosed in
polywrap, an envelope or other wrapper

5. Intelligent Mail Barcode
• May 18, 2009
– Full Service and Basic services begin on a
limited basis
– Postnet still eligible for auto discount
• November 29, 2009
• Deepest discount for Full Service

6. IMB – The Options
• Basic Service
– IMB on all mail pieces
– Will be mandatory in May 2011
• Full Service
– IMB on all mail pieces, uniquely identified
• Cannot re-use serial numbers within 45 days
– IM sack, tray, container labels
• Need to contain Mailer ID also
– Electronic submission of postage statements and mailing
documentation
– Any destination entry appointments scheduled in FAST
– Free “Start-the-clock”, Address Service, Change Service
information
– Address Correction Service available

7. Intelligent Mail Barcode Components
• 31 digits, 65 bars
– Barcode identifier (2 digit field)
– Service Type ID (3 digit field)
– Mailer identifier (6 or 9 digit field)
– Serial number (6 or 9 digit field)
– Routing code (5, 9 or 11 digit field)
2 3 6 9 11
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
Bar-
Service Mailer ID
code Serial Number – “Open” Digits Routing ZIPTM – “POSTNET” Digits
Type Code (Subscriber ID)
ID

8. Booklets & Self-mailers
• New requirements effective September 8,
2009 for Booklets
• Self mailers currently in the testing stages

9. How many tabs does it take?
• Booklet
Before Changes
– Defined as multiple sheets folded together to
form a letter-sized mail piece and secured with
staples, glue or perfect bound.
– Tabs with no perforations – will need 3 tabs to
seal it and the size of the tab must be 1.5”
– Maximum size to be 6 x 10.5
– Cover stock: 40# min. for some designs: 60 or After Changes
70# min. for pieces that exceed 9 inches in
length

10. A picture says a thousand words!
Some
additional
examples of
booklets

11. Nonmachinable Letters
• May 2009
– Revision of nonmachinable characteristics for
letter sized mail

12. Nonmachinable Criteria
• Item b: Is polybagged, polywrapped, enclosed in any plastic material,
or has an exterior surface made of a material that is not paper
• Item d: Contains items such as pens, pencils, keys, or coins that
cause the thickness of the mailpiece to be uneven; or loose keys or
coins or similar objects not affixed to the contents within the
mailpiece
• Item h: Is a self-mailer that is not prepared according to new
regulations
• Item i: Is a booklet that is not prepared according to new regulations

13. Just what is too droopy?
• May 2009
– Flat-size mail piece deflection standards
changed to allow 1 inch less of vertical
deflection (droop) than currently allowed

14. The droop test defined, cont.
• For pieces 10” or longer
– With the longest edge of piece perpendicular to the edge,
extend the piece 5 inches off the edge of the surface
– The piece is mailable at flat prices if it does not droop more
than 3 inches vertically at either end
FLATS

15. The droop test defined
• For pieces less than 10”
– Place the piece on a flat surface with the length perpendicular to the edge
and extend the piece ½ of it’s length off the edge of the surface
– The piece is mailable at flat prices if it does not droop more than 2” less
than the extended length
FLATS

16. May 2010
• Flat mail flexibility test re-defined (proposed)
– Must be able to fold piece parallel to the
length to a height no more than 5”
– New Irregular Flats Category
• Pieces that can’t meet new flexibility requirements
• Pieces that could be machinable, but too flimsy to
process on automated equipment
• May do away with NFM category
– Pieces that would have fit into this category,
may now fit into Parcel category

17. Questions