DMM 233 First-Class Mail Prices and Eligibility for Discount Letters and Cards

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233.1.4

Commercial Mail: First-Class Mail Prices and Eligibility

233 Prices and Eligibility

1.0 Prices and Fees

1.1 Price Application

Postage is based on the price that applies to the weight of each addressed

piece.

1.2

Price Computation for First-Class Mail Letters and Flats

1.2.1 Cards and Letters

Commercial First-Class Mail Presorted cards and letters are charged as follows:

a. Cards:

1. Automation: One price per presort level up to the maximum 3.5 ounces.

2. Machinable (Presorted): One price up to the maximum 3.5 ounces.

b. Letters:

1. Automation: One price per presort level up to the maximum 3.5 ounces.

2. Nonautomation Machinable: One price per presort level up to the

maximum 3.5 ounces.

3. Nonautomation Nonmachinable: One price per presort level up to the

maximum 3.5 ounces.

c. Residual Single-Piece Letters: One price up to the maximum 3.5 ounces.

d. Single-Piece Letters: Per ounce up to the maximum of 3.5 ounces. Any

fraction of an ounce is considered a whole ounce.

1.2.2 Flats

First-Class Mail flat prices are charged per ounce up to the maximum of 13

ounces. Any fraction of an ounce is considered a whole ounce. For example, if a

piece weighs 1.2 ounces, the weight (postage) increment is 2 ounces.

1.3 Automation and Nonautomation Prices for Cards and Letters

For prices, see Notice 123—Price List.

1.4 Nonautomation Nonmachinable Price

For the letter-size nonautomation nonmachinable prices see Notice 123—Price

List.

Overview

1.0 Prices and Fees

2.0 Content Standards for First-Class Mail

3.0 Basic Eligibility Standards for First-Class Mail

4.0 Additional Eligibility Standards for Nonautomation Machinable

First-Class Mail

5.0 Additional Eligibility Standards for Automation First-Class Mail

6.0 Eligibility Standards for Card Price First-Class Mail

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233.1.5

Commercial Mail: First-Class Mail Prices and Eligibility

1.5 Presort Mailing Fee

A First-Class Mail presort mailing fee must be paid once each 12-month period

at each office of mailing by any person or organization entering mailings at

automation or Presorted First-Class Mail prices. Payment of this fee does not

apply to qualified full-service mailings (under 705.23.3.1a.). Payment of one fee

allows a mailer to enter mail at all those prices. Persons or organizations paying

this fee may enter mail of their clients as well as their own mail. The fee may be

paid in advance only for the next 12 months and only during the last 60 days of

the current service period. The fee charged is that which is in effect on the date

of payment.

1.6 Computing Postage for First-Class Mail

Determine single-piece weight and weight (postage) increment for each

addressed piece as prescribed in 1.7 and 1.2. For First-Class Mail, affix postage

to each piece under 234.2.2, or, for permit imprint mailings, multiply the number

of addressed pieces at each price increment (and in each price category, if

applicable) by the corresponding postage price, add the unrounded products,

and round off the total postage to the nearest whole cent.

1.7 Determining Single-Piece Weight

To determine single-piece weight in any mailing of nonidentical-weight pieces,

weigh each piece individually. To determine single-piece weight in a mailing of

identical-weight pieces, weigh a sample group of at least 10 randomly selected

pieces and divide the total sample weight by the number of pieces in the sample.

Express all single-piece weights in decimal pounds rounded off to four decimal

places.

2.0 Content Standards for First-Class Mail

2.1 General

With the exception of restricted material as described in 601.8.0, any mailable

item may be mailed as First-Class Mail.

2.2 Bills and Statements of Account

Bills and statements of account must be mailed as First-Class Mail, Priority Mail

or Priority Mail Express and are defined as follows:

a. Bills and statements of account assert a debt in a definite amount owed by

the addressee to the sender or a third party. In addition, bills include a

demand for payment; statements of account do not include a demand for

payment. The debt does not have to be due immediately but may become

due at a later time or on demand. The debt asserted need not be legally

collectible or owed.

b. Bills and statements of account do not need to state the precise amount

due if they contain information that would enable the debtor to determine

that amount.

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233.2.7

Commercial Mail: First-Class Mail Prices and Eligibility

2.3 Personal Information

Mail containing personal information must be mailed as First-Class Mail, Priority

Mail, or Priority Mail Express. Personal information is any information specific to

the addressee.

2.4 Handwritten and Typewritten Material

Mail containing handwritten or typewritten material must be mailed as First-Class

Mail, Priority Mail, or Priority Mail Express.

2.5 Matter Marked Postcard or Double Postcard

Any matter marked “Postcard” or “Double Postcard” must be mailed as

First-Class Mail, Priority Mail, or Priority Mail Express.

2.6 Prohibited Air Transportation

All First-Class Mail is subject to limitations for air transportation. Generally, all

mailable matter may be transported by aircraft, unless restricted in 601.8.0.

2.7 Round-Trip Mailings with One Optical Disc

When a letter-size mailpiece weighing no more than 1 ounce in round-trip

mailings includes one standard optical disc no larger than 12 centimeters in

diameter per mailpiece, the disc will not be considered to be rigid and a

nonmachinable surcharge will not be charged on either the outgoing piece or the

returned BRM or PRM piece as long as the disc is not put in a rigid container and

the envelope itself is not rigid. When a flat-size mailpiece weighing no more than

2 ounces in round-trip mailings includes one standard optical disc no larger than

12 centimeters in diameter, the mailpiece will be subject to the applicable price

for a 1-ounce First-Class Mail letter if the disc is not in a rigid container and the

envelope itself is not rigid and all other standards in 2.7 are met. The disc is not

considered to be rigid for purposes of the flexibility test in 201.4.3. BRM or PRM

pieces that meet the standards will be charged the applicable 1-ounce

First-Class Mail letter price for pieces that weigh no more than 2 ounces. For the

purpose of this standard, round-trip mailings are mailings entered under these

conditions:

a. The mailing is presented at a BMEU or other acceptance facility as a:

1. presort mailing at nonautomation machinable or automation First-Class

Mail letter prices; or

2. single-piece mailing using a permit imprint or as a presort mailing at

presort or automation First-Class Mail flats prices.

b. The outbound mailpieces are addressed to subscribers and include either a

BRM (under 505.1.0) or PRM (under 505.2.0) envelope designed for return of

the disc to the permit holder.

c. A sample of the return envelope is provided to the acceptance employee at

the time of mailing for verification that the mailing is designed for round-trip

purposes.

d. Returned BRM or PRM pieces must be picked up by the mailer at

designated postal facilities, upon payment of all applicable postage and

fees.

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233.3.1

Commercial Mail: First-Class Mail Prices and Eligibility

3.0 Basic Eligibility Standards for First-Class Mail

3.1 3.1 Description of Service

3.1.1 Service Description

First-Class Mail receives expeditious handling and transportation.

The USPS

does not guarantee the delivery of First-Class Mail within a specified time.

3.1.2 Minimum Quantities

First-Class Mail offers shape-based commercial prices for presorted mailings of

500 or more pieces.

3.2 Defining Characteristics

3.2.1 Mailpiece Weight

First-Class Mail must weight 3.5 ounces or less for letters or 13 ounces or less

for flats.

3.2.2 Inspection of Contents

[1-21-24] First-Class Mail is sealed against postal inspection.

3.2.3 Forwarding Service and Return Service

The price of First-Class Mail includes forwarding service to a new address for up

to 12 months and return service if the mailpiece is undeliverable.

3.2.4 Extra Services

Extra services are available for First-Class Mail as provided in 503.

3.3 Additional Basic Standards for First-Class Mail

All presorted First-Class Mail letters must:

a. Meet the basic content standards for First-Class Mail in 2.0.

b. Weigh 3.5 ounces or less.

c. Meet the applicable standards in 234, and 1.0.

d. Be part of a single mailing of at least 500 pieces of Presorted First-Class

Mail.

e. Meet the applicable physical standards in 201.

f. Bear a delivery address that includes the correct ZIP Code or ZIP+4 code

and that meets these address quality standards:

1. The Move Update standard in 3.4.

2. The ZIP Code accuracy standard in 3.5.

3. If an alternative addressing format is used, the additional standards in

602.3.0.

3.4 Move Update Standard

The Move Update standard requires the periodic matching of a mailer's address

records with customer-filed change-of-address orders maintained by the USPS.

See 602.5.0 for Move Update standards.

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233.4.5

Commercial Mail: First-Class Mail Prices and Eligibility

3.5 ZIP Code Accuracy

The ZIP Code accuracy standard is a means of ensuring that the 5-digit ZIP

Code in the delivery address correctly matches the delivery address information.

For the purposes of this standard, address means a specific address associated

with a specific 5-digit ZIP Code. Each address in a mailing at commercial

First-Class Mail letter prices must meet the ZIP Code accuracy requirements in

602.6.0.

4.0 Additional Eligibility Standards for Nonautomation

Machinable First-Class Mail

4.1 Basic Standards for Nonautomation Machinable First-Class Mail

All pieces in a First-Class Mail nonautomation machinable mailing must:

a. Meet the basic standards for First-Class Mail in 3.0.

b. Be part of a single mailing of at least 500 pieces of nonautomation

machinable price First-Class Mail.

c. Meet the physical standards in 201.3.0.

d. Bear a delivery address that includes the correct ZIP Code, ZIP+4 code.

e. Be marked, sorted, and documented as specified in 235.5.0.

4.2 Maximum Weight for Nonautomation Machinable Letters

Maximum weight for First-Class Mail nonautomation machinable letters is 3.5

ounces (0.2188 pound). See 201.3.6 for pieces heavier than 3 ounces.

4.3 Price Application – Nonautomation Machinable – Letters

Nonautomation machinable letters are subject to AADC and mixed AADC prices

only (including round-trip mailings with one optical disc).

4.3.1 AADC Price

The AADC price applies to qualifying letter-size machinable pieces (see 201.1.0)

placed in origin/entry AADC trays (regardless of quantity), to quantities of 150 or

more pieces prepared in AADC trays for a single AADC, and to pieces placed in

mixed AADC trays in lieu of overflow AADC trays.

4.3.2 Mixed AADC Price

The mixed AADC price applies to qualifying letter-size machinable pieces that

the mailer prepares in mixed AADC trays, except for pieces placed in mixed

AADC trays in lieu of overflow AADC trays (see 235.5.2.2).

4.4 Maximum Weight for Nonautomation Nonmachinable Letters

Maximum weight for First-Class Mail nonautomation nonmachinable letters is

3.5 ounces (0.2188 pound). See 201.3.6 for pieces heavier than 3 ounces.

4.5 Nonautomation Nonmachinable Price Application – Letters

Nonautomation nonmachinable prices in 1.4 apply only to First-Class Mail

letter-size pieces (including card-size pieces) that meet the criteria in 201.2.1 for

nonmachinable letters. Nonautomation nonmachinable letters are subject to

5-digit, 3-digit and mixed ADC prices.

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233.4.5.1

Commercial Mail: First-Class Mail Prices and Eligibility

4.5.1 5-Digit Price

The 5-digit price applies to letter-size mail in quantities of 150 or more pieces for

a 5-digit ZIP Code prepared in 5-digit trays (overflow pieces in 3-digit or mixed

ADC trays and 10 or more pieces, bundled in 3-digit origin/entry trays).

4.5.2 3-Digit Price

The 3-digit price applies to letter-size mail in quantities of 150 or more pieces for

a 3-digit ZIP Code prepared in 3-digit trays (overflow pieces in MADC trays and

10 or more pieces bundled in 3-digit origin/entry trays).

4.5.3 Mixed ADC Price

The mixed ADC price applies to letter-size pieces that are subject to

nonmachinable prices and prepared in mixed ADC trays.

5.0 Additional Eligibility Standards for Automation

First-Class Mail

5.1 Basic Standards for Automation First-Class Mail

All pieces in a First-Class Mail automation mailing must:

a. Meet the basic standards for First-Class Mail in 3.0.

b. Be part of a single mailing of at least 500 pieces of automation price

First-Class Mail.

c. Meet the physical standards in 201.3.0 or 201.6.0.

d. Bear a delivery address that includes the correct ZIP Code, ZIP+4 code, or

numeric equivalent to the delivery point barcode (DPBC) and that meets the

address matching and coding standards in 5.7, and 602.9.0. If an alternative

addressing format is used, the additional standards in 602.3.0.

e. Bear an accurate unique Intelligent Mail barcode encoded with the correct

delivery point routing code, matching the delivery address and meeting the

standards in 202.5.0 and 204.1.0.

f. Be marked, sorted, and documented as specified in 235.6.0, for letters and

cards, or 235.8.0 or 705.9.0 for flats.

5.2 Additional Eligibility Standards for Full-Service Automation First-Class Mail

All pieces entered under the full-service Intelligent Mail automation option must:

a. Bear a unique Intelligent Mail barcode.

b. Be part of a mailing that meets the standards in 705.23.0.

5.3

Maximum Weight for Automation Letters

Maximum weight for First-Class Mail automation letters is 3.5 ounces

(0.2188 pound) (see 201.3.6, for pieces heavier than 3 ounces).

5.4

Price Application—Automation Cards and Letters

Automation prices apply to each piece that is sorted under 235.6.0 into the

corresponding qualifying groups:

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233.5.7.3

Commercial Mail: First-Class Mail Prices and Eligibility

a. Groups of 150 or more pieces in 5-digit/scheme trays qualify for the 5-digit

price. Preparation to qualify for the 5-digit price is optional. Pieces placed in

full AADC trays in lieu of 5-digit/scheme overflow trays under 235.6.5 are

eligible for the 5-digit prices.

b. Groups of 150 or more pieces in AADC trays qualify for the AADC price.

c. Groups of fewer than 150 pieces in AADC origin and pieces placed in mixed

AADC trays in lieu of AADC overflow trays under 235.6.5 are eligible for the

AADC prices.

d. Pieces in mixed AADC trays qualify for the mixed AADC price, except for

pieces prepared under 5.4c.

5.5 Price Application—Bundle-Based Flats

Automation prices apply to each piece that is sorted under 235.8.0 or 705:

a. Pieces in 5-digit bundles of 10 or more pieces qualify for the 5-digit price.

Preparation to qualify for the 5-digit price is optional and need not be done

for all 5-digit destinations.

b. Pieces in 3-digit bundles of 10 or more pieces qualify for the 3-digit price.

c. Pieces in ADC bundles of 10 or more pieces qualify for the ADC price.

d. Pieces in mixed ADC bundles qualify for the mixed ADC price.

5.6 Price Application—Tray-Based Flats

Automation prices apply to each piece that is sorted under 235.8.6, into the

corresponding qualifying groups:

Groups of 90 or more pieces in 5-digit trays qualify for the 5-digit price.

Preparation to qualify for the 5-digit price is optional and need not be done for all

5-digit destinations.

b. Groups of 90 or more pieces in 3-digit trays qualify for the 3-digit price.

c. Groups of fewer than 90 pieces in origin 3-digit trays and all pieces in ADC trays

qualify for the ADC price.

d. All pieces in mixed ADC trays qualify for the mixed ADC price.

5.7 Address Standards for Barcoded Pieces

5.7.1 Basic Address Standards for Barcodes

To qualify for automation prices, addresses must be sufficiently complete to

enable matching to the current USPS ZIP+4 Product when used with current

CASS-certified address matching software. Standardized address elements are

not required. Any barcode that appears on a mailpiece claimed at an automation

price must be the correct barcode for the corresponding delivery address on the

piece.

5.7.2 Numeric ZIP+4

A numeric ZIP+4 code must consist of five digits, a hyphen, and four digits.

5.7.3 Numeric Delivery Point Barcode (DPBC)

The numeric equivalent to the delivery point routing code is formed by adding

two digits directly after the ZIP+4 code.

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233.5.7.4

Commercial Mail: First-Class Mail Prices and Eligibility

5.7.4 Address Elements

Addresses must include the correct street number, predirectional, street name,

suffix, and postdirectional that are input to obtain a match with the current USPS

ZIP+4 Product.

5.7.5 Firm Name

An address must include a firm name when necessary to obtain a match with the

finest level of ZIP+4 in the USPS ZIP+4 Product. If an address contains a firm

name assigned a unique ZIP+4 code in the USPS ZIP+4 Product, the unique

ZIP+4 must be used. If the firm name is not one assigned a unique ZIP+4 in the

USPS ZIP+4 Product and the apartment/suite number is included in the address,

the ZIP+4 for the range in which the apartment/suite number appears must be

used in that address. If the firm name does not correspond to a firm name that

has a unique ZIP+4 assigned in the USPS ZIP+4 Product and the

apartment/suite number is not included in the address, the ZIP+4 for the building

must be used.

5.7.6 Secondary Designator

If a secondary address designator (e.g., an apartment number) is shown in the

address, the mailpiece must show the appropriate ZIP+4 representing the range

for that secondary address as contained in the current USPS ZIP+4 Product. If a

secondary address designator is required to obtain an exact match with the

finest level of ZIP+4 in the USPS ZIP+4 Product but the information is not

available, the alternative ZIP+4 code or ZIP+4 or delivery point barcode for the

building must be used.

5.7.7 Rural and Highway Contract Routes

If a rural route or highway contract route box number is included in the address,

the mailpiece must show the appropriate ZIP+4 representing the range for that

box number as contained in the current USPS ZIP+4 Product. If a rural route or

highway contract route box number is required to obtain a match with the finest

level of ZIP+4 but is not available, the alternative ZIP+4 or ZIP+4 or delivery point

barcode for the rural route or highway contract route must be used. If used, the

rural route or highway contract route box number must be placed on the line

immediately above the city/state/ZIP Code line.

5.7.8 P.O. Box

A Post Office box address must contain a Post Office box number that can be

exactly matched with the USPS ZIP+4 Product in effect.

6.0 Eligibility Standards for Card Price First-Class Mail

6.1 Card Price

A card may be a single or double (reply) stamped card or a single or double

postcard. Stamped cards are available from USPS with postage imprinted on

them. Postcards are commercially available or privately printed mailing cards. To

be eligible for a card price, a card and each half of a double card must meet the

physical standards in 201.1.2 and the applicable eligibility and preparation

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233.6.2

Commercial Mail: First-Class Mail Prices and Eligibility

standards for the price claimed. Ineligible cards are subject to letter-size prices.

Cards may be prepared and mailed at the First-Class Mail single-piece card

price, Presorted card price, or automation card prices.

6.2 Cards and Letters

Pieces claimed at First-Class Mail card prices and pieces claimed at First-Class

Mail letter prices are each subject to a separate minimum volume criteria whether

prepared as separate or combined mailings. Either way, card-size and letter-size

pieces may be presented at the same time and reported on the same postage

statement.

Domestic Mail Manual • Updated 7-14-24